[Eye problems due to contact lenses; an advisory report from the Health Council of the Netherlands].

In a recent report, the Committee on Health Risks of Contact Lenses from the Health Council of the Netherlands evaluated the health risks of contact lens wear in the Netherlands. Contact lens-related eye disease appears to be common, with an incidence of approximately 80,000 persons per year, who suffer from self-limiting or mild conditions. Such conditions are multifactorial, caused for example by chronic hypoxia, tear-film dysfunction or inadequate fit of the lens. They can range from ocular irritation to giant papillary conjunctivitis, a common cause of permanent lens intolerance. A very serious complication of contact lens wear is infectious keratitis, caused by bacteria or fungi. This is most common in users of permanent-wear soft lenses (20 per 10,000 persons per year) and can lead to a severe loss of vision. Therefore, the Committee has recommended that permanent-wear lenses should not be used. Moreover, lens fitting and follow-up of contact lens wearers should be a prerequisite for optometrists and ophthalmologists. However, the Dutch government has not taken action with respect to this last recommendation.