Contact Lenses, Cosmetic Shells and Artificial Eyes
Contact lenses, cosmetic shells and artificial eyes all come in contact with sensitive tissue of the eye. Opticians' regulations reflect that it is in the public interest for persons fitting these devices to have special training.
Opticians who fit and dispense contact lenses and cosmetic shells have taken specialized training and undergone a rigorous certification examination. Qualified Contact Lens Practitioners (RCLP) are defined by a special certificate displayed at their place of practice.
Registered Contact Lens Practitioners (RCLP) measure the shape and size of the eye, select the type of contact lens material, and prepare work orders specifying the power of the lenses and lens size. In some cases, RCLP's prepare moulds of an eye which is used in the manufacture of some of these specialized devices. This work requires considerable skill, care, and patience. RCLP's observe patients' eyes, corneas, lids and contact lenses with special instruments and microscopes.
During several visits, RCLP's show patients how to insert, remove and care for their contacts, their cosmetic shells or their artificial eyes. At periodic intervals throughout a patient's contact lens wearing, RCLP's are required to check the fitting of the contact lenses. RCLP's do all this to ensure that the lenses and shells do not cause any harm to the eye.
Japan preparing to legislate the sale of cosmetic contact lenses as a result in many cases of eye infections
In Japan, as in France and in other European countries, the cosmetic contact lenses are not considered medical devices. Their distribution are not regulated, they are particularly sold in cosmetic stores and on the internet.
Following a series of eye damage observed among the young users, many in Japan, Tokyo has decided to legislate the sale of these products before the end of this year.
A study carried out by the Japanese Ministry of Industry reported 170 cases of eye infections contracted these last two years, some had generated hospitalizations, or even loss of vision. "The current laws assume that the cosmetic lenses are manufactured by the same companies that manufacture the corrective lenses, whose sale is regulated. But this is not the case. Many of them, cheap, come from South Korea, Taiwan and Singapore, and are not subject to any control. More than 30 of 170 cases of injuries have been caused by flaws on the quality; including a leak '' of the color of lenses" the report says.
To address this phenomenon, which in Japan a true public health problem, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Industry have decided to integrate, this year, the cosmetic contact lenses cosmetics in the class of medical devices.
In the West, the European Union could also change its laws. The European Commission proposes extending the scope of the guidelines relating to medical devices, and to include, among others, the lenses of contact cosmetics. The European Commission organized in this sense a wide public consultation, asking the stakeholders concerned if such a regulation would be "necessary to ensure full and complete protection of public health
The South Australia crossed the threshold last year. Following an incident occurred in New-Zealand (a young man has lost sight by wearing lenses plan during three consecutive days), the country decided to ban the sale of lentils cosmetics by traders not professionals of the vision.
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