Can you imagine what the world would be like if you couldn’t see? It’s nearly unimaginable. Over the years I’ve been fortunate to use my expertise as an optometrist to help patients who don’t have access to eye care. Every time it’s profoundly moving to witness and share their joyful experience of being able to see clearly – sometimes for the first time in their lives – when their vision is corrected.
But for many, sight is easy to take for granted, and practicing healthy eye care habits falls by the wayside. Life gets busy and you postpone making your annual eye exam appointment, or you’re in a hurry and forget to wash your hands before handling your contact lenses. Unfortunately, those unhealthy behaviors can sometimes lead to eye health problems – issues that could likely be avoided.
As an eye care professional, I’m passionate about educating patients to take care of their eyes. I’m proud that Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. has the same passion. That’s why we’ve partnered with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), along with other eye health care partners, to sponsor Contact Lens Health Week, Aug. 24-28. This year’s theme is “healthy habits mean healthy eyes” and we couldn’t agree more! The campaign promotes healthy contact lens wear and care practices that can help reduce the risk of eye infections and complications associated with improper contact lens use.
A number of resources about healthy contact lens wear and care are available on the CDC’s website for anyone to use, whether you’re a parent looking for information to reinforce healthy contact lens habits with your teenagers or an eye care professional looking for resources to share with patients. You can also join the conversation by following and using the campaign hashtag #OnePairTakeCare on social media.
At Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., we aim to bring healthy vision to everyone, everywhere, every day. Sharing healthy contact lens hygiene habits through Contact Lens Health Week is just one way we are fulfilling that vision.