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Written question asked by Mark Pritchard (Conservative) on Monday, 14 October 2019, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 16 October 2019. It was answered by Jo Churchill (Conservative) on Tuesday, 22 October 2019 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Acanthamoeba Keratitis: Health Education

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Government is taking to work with manufacturers of contact lenses to educate people on how to minimise the risk of contracting Acanthamoeba Keratitis.

Answer

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for monitoring the safety of all healthcare products in the UK.

Following reports of infections that have led to sight loss due to Acanthamoeba Keratitis (AK), the MHRA participated in the Love your Lenses Campaign organised by the General Optical Council with involvement and support from manufacturers and opticians. The main aim of this campaign is to increase the effectiveness of aftercare information given to contact lens wearers. Details of the campaign can be found at the following link:

https://www.loveyourlenses.com/

The MHRA’s website also highlights the risks of AK and offers guidance and advice for patients to prevent injury and infection. The website can be found at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/medical-devices-information-for-users-and-patients

In the United Kingdom, the Opticians Act restricts the sale and supply of contact lenses, including ‘zero powered’ (plano) contact lenses, to registered optometrists, dispensing opticians, and medical practitioners. An optometrist examining a patient wishing to wear contact lenses has a duty to assess the patient's suitability for contact lenses and provide the patient with an appropriate lens care regimen, including information on the care, wearing, treatment, cleaning and maintenance of the lens or lenses.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
265
Session
2019-19
Subjects
Contact lenses Health education Acanthamoeba keratitis
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk