Accidental self-induced chemical eye injury in patients with low vision

Abstract

Sir, Legislation introduced by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency in 1995 requires Braille to appear on medication labels and in patient information leaflets.1 This legislation empowers blind persons with autonomy in the self-administration of drugs. Unfortunately, for those who have low vision but do not require Braille, the same safety provision does not exist. Contact lens users are often provided with two bottles of solution: one to clean the lenses, the main ingredient usually being hydrogen peroxide, and the other to rinse the lenses. Those with low vision rely on tactile information to differentiate such solutions; however, manufacturers frequently package them in similar sized and shaped bottles. We describe two low vision contact lens wearers with self-induced chemical eye injuries secondary to confusion with contact lens solutions.