Circle Lenses: What Are They and Why Should They Be Legalized in the US?

In the United States, Federal Regulations, section 315.7 of the "Contact Lens Rule," implements the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act, codified at 15 U.S.C. 7601-7610, which requires that rules be issued to address the release, verification, and sale of contact lens prescriptions. This part specifically governs contact lens prescriptions and related issues and states, "Any person who engages in the manufacture, processing, assembly, sale, offering for sale, or distribution of contact lenses may not represent, by advertisement, sales presentation, or otherwise, that contact lenses may be obtained without a prescription." (US Fed Government)

Obtaining a contact lens prescription in the US

US contact lens wearers know that before getting a prescription to obtain contacts, patients are given a vision test, glaucoma test, and the cornea is dyed to help the practitioner look for any scratches or eye abnormalities such as astigmatism. If all goes well there, the next step is to talk about lifestyle which helps the optometrist or ophthalmologist determine what type of contacts the patient should wear.

In today's prescription contact market, there are every-day wear as well as extended wear contacts. Both require removal periodically to allow the eye to breath. A fitting is done with the user wearing the contacts while the doctor compares the curvature of the eyeball to the curve of the lens to ensure they are not too loose or too tight; both which can cause discomfort and cornea damage.

Prescription contact lenses come in different colors but they do not offer the signature wider iris core that is making the circle lenses so popular.

What are circle lenses?

Circle lenses are non-prescriptive and prescription contacts that are available in and outside of the United States for those that want to use lenses for cosmetic reasons.

Why are circle lenses dangerous?

In Vancouver, British Columbia, their government is contemplating regulating internet sales. (Marketwire - March 24, 2010) - Serious eye diseases and disorders will go undetected if new "buyer beware" regulations covering eyeglasses and contact lenses go forward, says the B.C. Association of Optometrists. Details of the proposed regulations - developed without direct advance consultation of eye health professionals in the province - can be found at: http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/leg/whatsnew.html. (Marketwire)

In the USA, Gail M. Royal, MD, of Myrtle Beach, S.C., first reported 12 emergency cases with significant eye problems related to nonprescription contacts over spring break 2002. The Academy responded immediately with a consumer alert, which later was followed by a law passed by congress to continue efforts to regulate internet sale of contact lenses. (American Academy of Ophthalmogy).

Why are circle lenses appealing?

At Geo Lens, based out of California, they offer several reasons why their Geo circle lenses appeal.

First, lenses are available in different colors, styles and patterns. Second, depending upon the type of lens chosen, the eye can be made to look as if it has changed shape. Third, the ability to mix and match prescriptions allows a user to customize their order based upon their eye differences. Fourth, Geo circle lenses can be ordered online from anywhere, at anytime.

Keeping health care costs down, education up

I have been a prescription contact lens user for about thirty years. Since I have a hearing loss, I prefer to wear contacts that allow me to sleep with them so that if there are noises in the middle of the night, I am not totally vulnerable.

There was a period of time when extended wears were off the market because of the health risks, and I had to deal with the daily wear's which I hated. I was very glad when the extended came back on the market.

According to Geo's website there is no visual obstruction using these lens, and they can be worn just like daily wears. I have had color contacts before and with those, I did have an almost imperceptible change in vision, but it was with colors and not definition. Also, the risk of getting an infection becomes increased with handling- theoretically, the less touching of the lenses, the better.

To obtain a prescription in the US, a doctor's visit costs from $80 to $250 depending upon the tests, doctor credentials and frequency of visits. A year's worth of prescription contacts runs me between $250 and $500 on average.

Can't we come up with a compromise?

What bugs me is that my prescription has changed minimally over the years, and I am always infuriated when I have to pay that much money to be told my eyes haven't changed. I know they haven't changed. I also know when I have an eye infection, which has happened on occasion.

When I first began wearing contacts I was primed on what to watch out for, how to take care of the lenses, what to use to clean them, and how to clean them. After the initial training, I would say I and others like me, are knowledgeable enough to buy, and use GEO lenses safely.

While I understand selling contacts over the internet is potentially dangerous, if we can teach airline pilots and astronauts to fly via simulation, I think we can find a compromise to teaching people about contact lens care and not having to require them to see a physician annually. This solution should include sharing medical data electronically between physicians, labs, pharmacies and hospitals so that care can be customized and individualized.

I would agree that every 5-10 years, someone should get an eye test, depending on their age, and general health, but every year is a bit much, and way too expensive. I would agree that first time contact lens users should have training, and a fitting. After that, in my opinion, there can't be much to it, other than capitalism. Circle lenses should be legalized in the US, and regulated at the manufacturing level, rather than at the end user level.

Sources:

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&rgn=div5&view=text&node=16:1.0.1.3.39&idno=16#16:1.0.1.3.39.0.38.7

http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/leg/whatsnew.html. (Marketwire)

American Academy of Ophthalmogy

Geo's website