From the Department of pediatric Ophthalmology, Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center and the Morgan Stanley Children’s eye news Hospital of New York Greeting FALL 2018 Dear Colleagues: Division This edition of the newsletter features an article that is particularly apropos before News Halloween: the use of costume contact lenses. The article is written by Dr. Lauren Yeager, one of our outstanding pediatric ophthalmologists. It focuses on some of The Department of the serious, sight-threatening risks associated with the use of costume contact Ophthalmology of Columbia lenses, and provides clinically relevant information intended to help primary care University Irving Medical Center practitioners on the front lines provide sound, informed management for their has moved into it newest patients. As always, we also provide an EyeQ test to challenge your ophthalmic satellite location at 240 west knowledge, as well as updates on the many things that are going on in the Division 64th St and West End Ave, close to Lincoln Center. We of Pediatric Ophthalmology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Copies have a beautiful, fully of this and prior newsletters, as well as detailed information about our physicians, equipped, new office space on services, and facilities can also be found on our webpages at www.columbiaeye.org. the third floor, in the Robert We want to remain an important resource for both you and your patients. Burch Family Eye Center. In this new space we provide comprehensive, family- Costume Contact Lenses centered eye care services for both adults and children. We Costume contact lenses, also in children, and anecdotally, many ophthal- are also happy to report that known as decorative or cosmetic mologists describe patients who have pre- we have received a generous contact lenses, change the appearance sented with serious ophthalmic issues from gift from Penny Mishkin to of the eye by changing the eye color costume lenses. support the purchase of or pupil shape. Popular costume Ophthalmic complications from costume medically necessary glasses lenses include black out contacts, cat lenses include corneal abrasions and ulcers, and contact lenses for children eyes, and zombie eyes. These lenses in need. The program will be are especially popular during administered by the Division of Halloween. In the United States it is Pediatric Ophthalmology and illegal to sell contact lenses without a available to children seen at our prescription from an eye care practice sites. professional. Despite this, such lenses On December 1, 2018 NYP are commonly found in costume will hold its 5th Annual shops, toy stores, and online retail Specialty Updates for the where they are advertised as toys. Left to right - Cat’s eye contact lens and General Pediatrician at the Although all contact lens Zombie eye contact lens wear has risks, lenses bought illegally Milstein Heart Center on the over-the-counter and worn without a and ulcers, and symptoms include redness, Columbia University Irving proper prescription are associated pain, tearing, light sensitivity, and decreased Medical Center campus. with a higher risk of ophthalmic vision. Although abrasions and ulcers may be Dr. Steven Brooks, the Division issues that can lead to injury, successfully treated with topical antibiotics Chief for Pediatric Ophthal- infection, and possibly blindness. A drops, they can also progress rapidly, leading mology and medical director of 2010 study published in the Journal of to permanent corneal scarring or even Jonas Children’s Vision Care, Pediatrics indicated that at least blindness. Timely, appropriate treatment is will co-direct the meeting, and 13,500 emergency room cases each critical. Less serious (continued on page 2) the Division will host an year are due to contact lens injuries informational table at meeting. Costume Contact Lenses (continued from page 1) EyeQ Test: complications may include dry eye 1. The following are signs of a corneal abrasion except: and superficial punctuate A. Redness keratopathy (an inflammation of B. Thick, white discharge the cornea with punctuate epithelial loss) that are similar but C. Pain generally less severe than those D. Sensitivity to light seen with abrasion or ulceration.

2. Corneal ulcers can lead to: A. Corneal thinning B. Perforation of the cornea C. Corneal scarring D. A and C E. All of the above

3. True or false: Contact lenses are considered medical devices by the FDA.

4. True or false: Costume contact lenses are approved by the FDA for over Above - Patient with a severe, the counter sales. vision threatening corneal ulcer.

5. Which of the following increases the risk of corneal ulcer in contact lens Most people are unfortunately wearers? unaware of the safety risks A. Dry eye associated with costume lenses B. Decreased corneal sensation given the marketing and over-the- counter availability. It is C. Sleeping in contact lenses important that we educate our D. All of the above patients about proper contact lens wear and the safety hazards Answers: 1. B, 2. E, 3. T, 4. F, 5. D associated with these lenses, especially during the Halloween season. If a patient has been pediatric Division News wearing contact lenses and (continued) complains of eye symptoms, he or eye news she should promptly be seen by an A Publication of the Department of Ophthalmology, Dr. Brooks also has represented eye care professional. Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Columbia Columbia Children’s Health by University Irving Medical Center and the Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of New York participating in a Twitter chat hosted by the Lighthouse-Guild on August 29th, Pediatric Ophthalmologists: discussing the subject of children’s eye Steven Brooks, M.D. (Division Chief) health. The chat engaged parents and Lauren Yeager, M.D. was endorsed by the Children’s Eye Foundation and the American Academy Practice Locations: for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital 3959 Broadway, New York, NY (5th floor) Strabismus. Lighthouse Guild 250 West 64th Street, New York, NY

For Appointments Call: 212-305-9535, or on the web:www.ColumbiaEye.org

pediatric 2 eye news FALL 2018