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Close to six months since the start of the CLEER project, 200 Eye Care Practitioners (Ophthalmologists, Opticians and Optometrists) from 22 countries have registered as reporters on the website (www.CLEER–project.eu).

The number of reports themselves has also increased steadily since data collection started on June 1 2008 (the total is now almost 200). The collection will continue until May 31. 2009. The degree of participation varies, however, from country to country. Participations was markedly accelerated in October, compared to the slower summer months of July and August. With continued activity, more than a thousand reports by May 30. next year should be within reach.

 

The CLEER project (The Contact Lens European Evidence Reporting Project) is a one-year web-based project, coordinated by the ECLF (European Contact Lens Forum). The project’s goal is to provide factual data (evidence) about significant incidents in Europe induced by, or related to contact lenses (including non-corrective or cosmetic lenses).

 

Significant is defined as: An asymptomatic or symptomatic clinician-observed slit lamp sign that necessitates one or more of the following:

•          temporary discontinuation of lens wear

•          treatment

•          referral

 

The data will be used to support efforts to regulate the supply of contact lenses in Europe in order to ensure the protection of the public. Such regulative legislation already exists in the UK and the US. Japan is considering introducing similar legislation after a study showed serious adverse incidents with non-corrective lenses.

 

A very important item in the short questionnaire therefore is: Was the sale of the contact lenses under regulated or unregulated conditions.

Regulated means: The lenses were bought with a valid contact lens specification / prescription (issued by a contact lens specialist, either after a fitting or after a follow up visit and not expired), that was verified by the seller at the time of the purchase. It does not matter where bought, the question is about the regulatory conditions under which they were purchased

Unregulated means: Bought without a valid specification / prescription or without a verification of the latter at the point of purchase.

 

The website also has a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) tab, in which one can find answers to many questions around the European Contact Lens Forum (ECLF) and the CLEER-project. The FAQ section is accessible without registration

 

“ECLF is very pleased with the still increasing momentum of registrations and case reporting. We now have reporters from almost all EU member countries (plus Norway and Switzerland, for bilateral contract reasons)and reports come in on a steady basis. Already registered Eye Care Professionals (EPPs) should continue putting reports into the database and other ECPs are invited to register and follow their colleagues’ good example.” said ECOO’s secretary general Richard Carswell.

 

If you haven’t registered yet, go to www.CLEER–project.eu, to do so. If you would prefer to fax your report to your national ECP organization for data entry, you can ask them for a report form or download it from the website.

 

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CLEER project does not replace the post market surveillance / vigilance systems of the manufacturers. CLEER is independent to brands and manufacturers.

www.ecoo.info 

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Please address any inquires to

Anne-Marie Wolters (info@Euromcontact.org) or  

Helmer Schweizer (helmer.schweizer@cibavision.com)

 

Anne-Marie Wolters                                                  Helmer Schweizer     

EUROMCONTACT Secretary General                     EUROMCONTACT President

 

www.CLEER-project.eu and www.euromcontact.org