The Spooky Truth: What You Need To Know About Contact Lens Hygiene

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Sept. 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Come fall, many children, teenagers, and even adults begin to think about "who" or "what" they want to be for Halloween. And, a number of them are tempted to complete their look with decorative contact lenses bought without a prescription.

Halloween, however, isn't the only time of year that people purchase and wear contact lenses without a prescription. According to the American Optometric Association's 2013 American Eye-Q^® consumer survey, 17 percent of Americans have worn decorative contact lenses that don't provide vision correction as part of a costume or for other cosmetic purposes. Of those individuals, 24 percent purchased them without a prescription from a source other than an eye doctor.¹

"A contact lens is a medical device and in the United States, all contact lenses, even purely cosmetic ones that do not provide vision correction, require a prescription," explains Millicent Knight, OD, FAARM, Head of Professional Affairs, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., North America. "By buying and wearing contact lenses without medical guidance from your eye doctor you put yourself at risk for serious, even blinding eye infections."

"For those who wear contact lenses as part of a daily routine or for special occasions, it is essential to learn and practice good hygiene, and follow your eye care provider's instructions for wearing and replacement schedules, lens care, and disinfecting routines," advises Dr. Knight.

Dr. Knight suggests the following for handling, wearing, and caring for contact lenses:

• Wash and rinse your hands thoroughly with a mild soap, rinse completely, and dry with a lint-free towel before handling your lenses.
• Put in your contacts before you put on your makeup or any costume paint.
• Remove lenses immediately if you experience eye discomfort, vision changes, and redness of the eye or other problems and promptly contact your eye care professional or seek urgent care if he/she is unavailable.
• Never share contacts or wear another person's lenses.
• Don't wear lenses longer than the time frame recommended by your eye doctor.

Talk to your eye doctor about any questions or concerns you have about proper wear and care of your contact lenses. For more tips and information, read "Healthy Vision & Contact Lenses" from Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. at www.acuvue.com/HealthyVisionCL. Sign up for the ACUMINDER^® Tool at www.acuminder.com.

About ACUMINDER^® Tool
The ACUMINDER^® Tool was developed by Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. and is a free service that sends an automatic reminder via e-mail and/or cell text message on when to replace contact lenses, and when to schedule an eye exam. Registration is open to all contact lens wearers at www.acuminder.com.

About Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. is committed to creating life-long solutions to vision care needs. Since the ACUVUE^® Brand made its debut in 1987 as the world's first disposable soft contact lens, the company has repeatedly brought innovative, quality, and scientific advancements to the industry. Headquartered in Jacksonville, FL, U.S., the company has some 3,000 employees worldwide. For additional information, visit www.jnjvc.com.

ACUVUE^® Brand Contact Lenses are available by prescription only for vision correction. An eye care professional will determine whether contact lenses are right for you. Although rare, serious eye problems can develop while wearing contact lenses. To help avoid these problems, follow the wear and replacement schedule and the lens care instructions provided by your eye doctor. Do not wear contact lenses if you have an eye infection, or experience eye discomfort, excessive tearing, vision changes, redness or other eye problems. If one of these conditions occurs, contact your eye doctor immediately. For more information on proper wear, care and safety, talk to your eye care professional and ask for a Patient Instruction Guide, call 1-800-843-2020 or visit Acuvue.com.

ACUVUE^® and ACUMINDER^® are trademarks of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
Third party trademarks used herein are trademarks of their respective owners

¹ American Optometric Association. "American Eye-Q Consumer Survey." http://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/caring-for-your-vision/contact-lenses/decorative-lens-warning?sso=y

SOURCE Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.