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Eye specialists are calling for greater restrictions on the sale of novelty contact lenses after they destroyed a man's cornea - the first case of its kind in this country.
The 24-year-old from Auckland lost the sight in one eye after it became infected from wearing a pair of coloured contact lenses.
He wore the lenses for fun and did not need contact lenses or glasses before the incident.
"The infection had basically eaten away at his whole cornea," said corneal specialist Dr Trevor Gray. "It's horrible. Here's somebody in his early 20s who is basically never going to see out of that eye again."
The young man had borrowed the fashion lenses from a friend for a party.
Unaware of their proper usage, he wore them for three consecutive days. An infection developed and by the time he sought medical attention the infection had already eaten away at his cornea, leaving a perforation.
Two emergency corneal transplants were done as "hot grafts" (transplanting in the presence of inflammation and infection), but the man had failed to follow instructions to minimise the risk of rejection.
"He's now got an opaque cornea that he can't see out of at all, and has this big white-looking eye like they've got in science fiction movies," said Dr Gray.
But his other eye is fine.
"It's actually a perfect eye. It doesn't need any glasses, it doesn't need any contact lenses. He only wore this for fun at a party. This is what's so heartbreaking."
The fashion contact lenses come in a variety of colours and designs and give wearers a dramatic new look such as cat's eyes or lenses featuring a flag.
The Medicines Regulations Act (1984) governs prescription contact lenses, but does not apply to fashion lenses. As these lenses have no optical power, they are not defined as a medical device, and are easily available from flea markets, clothing shops, novelty stores and through the internet.
Dr Gray, who is president of the Cornea and Contact Lens Society, said the law required optometrists and ophthalmologists to ensure someone getting prescription contact lenses learned their proper use and care.
The "illogical technicality" that did not require the same of fashion contact lenses was a worry, he said. People buying fashion lenses did not necessarily get advice on proper use. A $60 pair of fashion lenses which the Herald bought from a party accessory store came with a lens case and cleaning solution - and comprehensive instructions.
Dr Gray had no problem with this sample, but those sold without instructions concerned him.
Some people shared lenses, putting them at risk of transferring conjunctivitis or hepatitis.
Martin Blandford, owner of fashion contact lens seller New Eyes, said people could abuse them whether they got them from an optometrist or from any other store.
