§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what information she has on the incidence of blindness caused by unsatisfactory contact lenses; and if she will make a statement.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThree per cent. of the population in the United Kingdom use contact lenses. There are no available figures to indicate that using contact lenses may cause blindness. There are indications that although the risk is low, contact lens wearers do have an enhanced exposure to factors that can result in ocular infection and keratitis.
The Department, in co-operation with the professional bodies concerned, is producing information documents to help wearers of contact lenses and eye care practitioners.