Actor Paddy Considine, who was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome in 2010, recently realized he also suffers from Irlen syndrome. Often accompanied by behavioral or learning disorders, Irlen syndrome is caused by the brain’s improper processing of light waves, effecting behavior, attention, concentration and more. Read more…

After evaluating a series of severe eye infections following colored contact lens wear, researchers concluded that over-the-counter use of cosmetic lenses is increasing, and the unmonitored accessibility of these lenses to young people can potentially lead to sight-threatening conditions. Read more…

Using costume contact lenses without a proper fitting and care significantly increases your risk of eye infections.

Wearers of costume contact lenses — special colored contacts that dramatically change the appearance of the eye — are significantly more likely to experience contact lens-related eye infections, according to a European study.

Researchers in France conducted the study at 12 university hospitals between July 2007 and July 2009 to evaluate the risk of eye infections among individuals who wore costume color contacts (also called theatrical contact lenses), compared with people who wore conventional (non-costume) contact lenses. Read more…

In her recent music video, “Bad Romance,” pop star Lady Gaga’s appearance is more arresting than usual thanks to a bit of computer magic: Her eyes were digitally altered to appear bigger.

Not surprising, the doe-eyed look she has in the video has inspired a fad among many teenage girls and young women: wearing special color contacts that mimic the anime-style look. These so-called “circle” contacts have a darkly tinted zone that makes the wearer’s pupil look much larger than normal.

The problem is that circle contact lenses are being sold illegally via the Internet without a contact lens prescription, which eye doctors say could cause serious eye problems ranging from minor eye discomfort to serious eye infections, including potentially blinding infections such as Acanthamoeba keratitis. This especially is true when contact lenses are not properly cleaned and disinfected after each use and/or are shared among friends.

Today, the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) and American Optometric Association (AOA) issued a joint statement titled, “Concern Regarding Cosmetic ‘Circle’ Contact Lenses.”

In the document, the organizations point out that all contact lenses, whether they correct vision or are used simply for cosmetic purposes, are classified as medical devices by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and cannot be obtained legally in the United States without a prescription, which requires a contact lens fitting by a licensed eye care practitioner.

The joint statement also says studies show individuals who purchase contact lenses via the Internet or mail order have a four times greater risk of eye infections than those who purchase their lenses from an eye care professional.

The AAO and AOA also warn of the dangers of sharing or swapping contact lenses with friends and advise consumers desiring cosmetic contact lenses to alter or enhance their appearance to do so only after consultation with their eye care provider.

The AAO/AOA joint statement follows a similar warning about circle contacts issued earlier this month by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

“Any contact lens you want. Anywhere in the world.”

This is the promise that CooperVision and Armed Forces Eyewear are making to members of the U.S. military on a new web page at coopervision.com/armedforces. (Armed Forces Eyewear is a service mark of Frames Direct, an online eyewear retailer.)

The site contains patient information about CooperVision’s portfolio of contact lenses, as well as rebate and free trial offers. Read more…

Twilight Lens by Coastal Contacts

“The key costume piece for a vampire is the eyes,” said Jennifer Harvey, communications manager for the company. “People are really having fun with it – blood red eyes, vampire dark purple, or Edward’s amber colored eyes.”

Coastal Contacts released the contacts just last week, along with their new fall lineup. Over 130 styles are available in their Special Effects (SFX) contact lens line. All lenses are FDA approved, and some are available in prescription powers for vision correction.

Note: Even non-prescription contacts require a contact lens fitting and a valid contact lens prescription. This is true even if you already wear a different brand of contact lenses for everyday wear.

If you are interested in Halloween and special effects lenses, first see your eye doctor for a contact lens exam and fitting.

Colored contacts that enhance or alter the color of one’s eyes are most popular among young females, according to a study appearing in Contact Lens & Anterior Eye, the official journal of the British Contact Lens Association.

According to the researchers, annual survey data regarding contact lens fittings show that those wearing the colored soft lenses are more likely to be female (4.6 percent of all soft lenses fitted versus 1.6 percent for males) and younger than those wearing non-tinted soft contacts.

The mean age of people wearing colored lenses is 27 years (range: 16 to 38 years), whereas the mean age of those wearing non-tinted lenses is 33 years (range: 20 to 46 years), according to the survey data.

People wearing color contact lenses also tend to wear the lenses more on a part-time basis and replace them less frequently than non-tinted lenses, the researchers said.

Source: Patterns of fitting cosmetically tinted contact lenses. Contact Lens & Anterior Eye. (Corrected proof, published online June 19, 2009)

The fitting of colored contact lenses in Great Britain has been on the decline for over a decade, according to a report in Contact Lens & Anterior Eye, the journal of the British Contact Lens Association.

The study found that cosmetically tinted soft contact lenses to enhance or change the wearer’s eye color have become less popular in the UK over the past 12 years. Authors of the study suggest there may be several reasons for the declining popularity of the lenses:

1. The limited availability of lens tints in new silicone hydrogel contact lenses and disposable contacts, which together represent a large majority (78 percent) of new soft contact lens fittings in the UK today.
2. Growing concerns among consumers and eye doctors about the risks of complications associated with wearing colored contact lenses.
3. Reduced promotion of color contact lenses by lens manufacturers.

The study also found that wearers of colored contact lenses are more likely to be female and younger than those wearing non-tinted lenses.

Colored lenses also tend to be worn on a part-time basis and are replaced less frequently that non-tinted lenses, the study found.