01/11/2020
About 20 years ago, Dr. Thomas L. Steinemann noticed a scary rise in the number of young people with blinding infections. The culprit? contact lenses sold without a prescription at gas stations, convenience stores and shops.
“For many young people, these lenses were just another piece of disposable merchandise to change their appearance,” Dr. Steinemann said. “They weren’t worn for medical reasons but for fun – fun that could quickly turn dangerous.”
Hard to believe, but those cool cat eye contact lenses are medical devices. They must be prescribed and fitted by an eye care professional, just like regular contact lenses. That's because a poorly fitted contact lens can easily scrape the cornea, the outer layer of the eye, making the eye more vulnerable to infection-causing bacteria and viruses. Research shows that people who purchase contacts without a prescription face a 16-fold increased risk of developing an infection.
Dr. Steinemann wasn’t going to stand by while more kids with painful, vision-threatening infections arrived at clinic. He got involved in an advocacy effort that in 2005 resulted in a ban on the sale of contact lenses, both cosmetic and corrective, without a prescription.
Dr. Steinemann continues his advocacy today because the lenses are still easy to buy on the internet. He works closely with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Federal Trade Commission and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That’s why he just received the Academy’s Outstanding Advocate Award.
“We have to keep educating people because these lenses are still so easy to buy – and it’s our kids who are taking this risk,” Dr. Steinemann said. “Many don’t take these seriously like the medical devices that they are.”
We thank Dr. Steinemann for his enduring commitment to 🎃👏👏👏
