Doctors are warning that teenagers who wear fashion contact lenses risk becoming blind or contracting Aids. And the Public Health Ministry is taking note. It's all set to regulate the practice.

The so-called "Big-Eye" contact lenses have been smuggled into Thailand and are widely available on the market without any controls. The trend has been influenced by Korean movie stars, who use them to make their eyes look bigger or to change the colour of their eyes.

A senior government ophthalmologist says those who wear Big-Eye lenses could become blind within two days if they use ones with bad shapes, or are exposed to bad hygiene or even if the lenses are stored in an improper package.

Dr Thapanawong Tang-uraiwan of Nang Klao Hospital in Bangkok says there's also a risk of contracting Aids if wearers swap the lenses. He called on teenagers who wanted to use them to first consult ophthalmologists.

The Food and Drugs Administration says the issue is to be discussed later this month. New rules will then be issued to regulate imports and license sales of both Big Eye lenses and other non-regulated contact lenses to ensure safety standards, such as those imposed on regular contact lenses.

A ministry committee tasked with handling matters on medical equipment will later be instructed to work out new regulations in detail, says FDA assistant director-general Phongphan Wongmanee.

The doctor says he is especially concerned about the different colours used in contact lenses, whether they are safe enough and whether the lenses are made through standard procedures.

"The shape, roundness and curves of the lenses are also important to the safety of wearers. Substandard lenses may cause eye injuries or blindness," he adds.

Daily Xpress/Asia News Network