These contact lenses have been recalled over fears they can damage the eye - do you have them at home?

contact lenses
(Image credit: Getty Images)

If you wear contact lenses, you may need to be aware that a certain brand have been recalled - as faulty ones can potentially cause redness or damage to the surface of the eye.

Acuve daily disposable contact lenses wearers across the UK have been urged to check the products they own as these contacts may have dangerous particles either on the lens or in the contact lens solution.

The Medicine and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) fear that the particles in 1-day Acuvue Moist for Astigmatism lenses, created by Johnson & Johnson, could cause redness, irritation, or even damage to the surface of the eye such as scratching.

The MHRA has said that customers should check and return these contact lenses, even if these dangerous particles aren’t visible.

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Anyone with concerns should speak to their optician or optometrist as soon as possible, the MHRA added.

However, it's important to note that the MHRA states that the risk is low.

Johnson & Johnson has made a list of effected contact lenses, which has been published in the company’s field safety notice (FSN). Customers can check the lot number of their contact lenses boxes against this list.

contact lenses

These lot numbers are displayed on the back or side of each pack of 28 contact lenses, or on the foil pack which seals individual lenses, for customers that want to continue using the packs they already have. But they can be returned, as the MHRA has recommended.

Mark Birse, MHRA Group Manager, Device Safety and Surveillance said: “Whilst the risk is low, the MHRA takes the safety of the medicines and devices we regulate very seriously.

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“It is therefore important that as many customers as possible are made aware of the need to check their lenses for these lot numbers.”

He added that anyone concerns could report them to the relevant places, saying: “Contact lens users who still have concerns should contact their optician or optometrist. They can also report any adverse effects to the MHRA's Yellow Card Scheme.” In the meantime, also make sure your cosmetics are contact-lens safe. Ensuring you have the best mascara for sensitive eyes is also one step closer to keeping eye irritants at bay.

Lucy Buglass is a Digital Writer specialising in TV, film and lifestyle content and has written for What's On TV, GoodtoKnow and Whattowatch.com. She's passionate about entertainment and spends most of her free time watching Netflix series, BBC dramas, or going to the cinema to catch the latest film releases. In her spare time, she writes film and television reviews for JumpCut Online and her own blog, Lucy Goes To Hollywood.