Replies to LegCo questions

Legislative Council Question No. 6 (Written Reply)

Date of Sitting: 17 October 2001

Asked by: Hon Mrs Sophie LEUNG

Replied by: Secretary for Health and Welfare

Question :

Certain contact lenses, which claim to have the effects of reducing myopia temporarily as well as slowing down myopia progression among children and youths growing up, are available in the market.  It has been reported that some opticians have pointed out that the use of such lenses might increase the chance of developing corneal ulcers, and a user of such lenses has as a result lost 80% of his eyesight.  In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) Whether it has tested the safety of such lenses; if not, of the reasons for that;

(b) Whether it will consider banning the sale of such lenses; if so, of the timing for imposing such a ban; if not, the reasons for that; and

(c) How it can ensure that people will not sustain injury to their cornea for wearing such lenses?

Reply :

Madam President,

(a) Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) was developed in the 1960s where optometrists used daily-wear contact lenses to reshape the cornea and correct short-sightedness temporarily.  The use of Ortho-K lenses, like other contact lenses, carry an inherent risk of injury to the cornea if not used in accordance with the instructions of eye care professionals.  The occurrence of complications in Ortho-K lenses wearers depends on the knowledge and skill of the eye care professional prescribing the lenses and the compliance of the wearer in terms of cleansing and disinfection of lenses and adherence to instructions. 

In Hong Kong, statutory systems are in place to regulate the standard of those professionals prescribing contact lenses.  Under the Supplementary Medical Professions Ordinance (Cap. 359) and its Optometrists Regulations, only qualified professionals are allowed to prescribe contact lenses.  The Optometrists Board, which is the statutory body responsible for regulating the professional conduct and practice of optometrists, has recently set up a Working Group to study the standard of care of optometrists in respect of Orthokeratology and whether there are justifications for defining the conditions for the use of Orthokeratology.  The Working Group will make recommendations to the Optometrists Board accordingly.

(b) As mentioned in (a) above, the occurrence of complications in Ortho-K lenses wearers depends on the knowledge and skill of the eye care practitioner prescribing the lenses and the compliance of the wearer in terms of cleansing and disinfection of lenses and adherence to instructions.  In the circumstances, there is no conclusive evidence to justify banning of the product.  Indeed, Ortho-K is still being used in overseas countries such as the United States and United Kingdom.

(c) As part of its public education efforts, the Department of Health advises the public on how to care for their eyes.  In view of public concerns about Ortho-K lenses, the Department issued a press release in July 2001 urging consumers to follow the instructions of eye care professionals on the use of contact lenses and to seek professional advice immediately in case of eye discomfort.  The Department of Health will continue to monitor the situation.