New Contact Lens Invention Can Help Keep Kids Out of the ER

ST. LOUIS, July 26 /PRNewswire/ -- A two-year study published today in Pediatrics by researchers affiliated with the US Food and Drug Administration states that more than 145,000 children and teens visit the emergency room for injuries and complications caused by medical devices.  Contact lenses are the leading culprit.*

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(Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100726/CG41048)

The study concludes that 34,000 or 1/4 of these ER visits are due to eye infections and abrasions caused by simple mistakes with wearing contact lenses – mistakes like wearing contact lenses too long and not replacing old lens cases.  

The #1 reason these mistakes are made?  Forgetfulness.  Forgetting to change contact lenses on schedule is a serious mistake nearly all contact lens wearers make.  Replacing contacts just one day late can cause dangerous infections and even blindness.  Contact lens cases are hotbeds for bacteria and fungi.  Forgetting to swap out an old contact lens case for a new one at least every month could be sight-threatening.

Originally invented for kids, the LensAlert® Reminder Timer makes it easy to remember when to replace contact lenses with a fresh, new pair and when to replace old, dirty lens cases.  The simple to use, digital timer accurately tracks contact lens and lens case wear.  Simply set the timers.  Every 24 hours, LensAlert® counts down one day.  When the display flashes 0, it's time to replace.  

Children and teens are the fastest growing group of contact lens wearers.  Contact lenses are medical devices not fashion accessories.  Safe handling and care of contact lenses is critical to eye health. To prevent sight-threatening infections and trips to the ER, it is necessary for contact lens wearers to follow serious lens care rules.  

LensAlert® is sold as a Contact Lens Care Kit with 3 contact lens cases and Dog Gone Good Lens Care Tips.  Visit LensAlert.com and ContactLensCareForKids.com for more information.  

*"The study appears in Pediatrics, published online today.  Dr. Brock Hefflin and lead author Dr. Cunlin Wang work in the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health. They note there has been recent concern about medical device safety in children, particularly because many devices intended for adults are used in children."

SOURCE LensAlert