US Regulation for Safe Use of 

Contact Lenses 

Malvina B. Eydelman, M.D

Director

Division of Ophthalmic, and Ear, Nose, and Throat Devices Office of Device Evaluation 

Center of Devices and Radiological Health U.S. Food and Drug Administration
2

Acknowledgements

• Dr. Angelo Green

• Dr. Marc Robboy

• Dr. Bernie Lepri

• Dr. Kesia Alexander

• Dr. Denise Hampton

• Dr. Michelle Tarver
3

Medical Device1

• Definition

– Intended to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat or 

prevent a disease/condition, or

– Intended to affect the structure or function of the 

body, and

– Does not achieve intended use through chemical 

action or metabolism

• There are no generic medical devices

1Sec. 201, Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act
4

Device Classification1

• CLASS I

– Simple design, low risk 

– General Controls

– Most exempt from premarket submission

• CLASS II

– More complex, moderate risk

– General Controls plus Special Controls

– Premarket Notification [510(k)]

» Demonstration of substantial equivalence

• CLASS III

– Most complex, highest risk

– General Controls and Premarket Approval (PMA)

» Reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness

1http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/DeviceRegulationandGuidance/Overview/ClassifyYourDevice/
5

Contact Lenses (CLs)

• FDA regulates all contact lenses (CLs)

• Classification

– Class II: Daily wear lenses (soft and rigid gas permeable)

– Class III: Extended wear lenses (soft and rigid gas permeable)

» available for overnight or continuous wear ranging from one to six 

nights or up to 30 days1

• CL indications 

– to correct refractive error

– to promote corneal healing (bandage CLs)

– for the temporary reduction of myopia (orthokeratology CLs) 

– to enhance or alter the appearance of the eye (decorative CLs)

1https://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/HomeHealthandConsumer/ConsumerProducts/ContactLenses/ucm062319.htm
6

Demographics of Contact Lens Use

• 35% wear daily disposable contact lenses 2

• 66.6% are female 3

• Over 90% of adult CL wearers use soft 

contact lenses1

• 3.6 million wearers between 12 to 17 years1

• 7.5 million wearers between 18 to 24 years1

1 https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/66/wr/mm6632a2.htm

2 Nichols JJ. Contact Lenses 2017. Contact Lens Spectrum January 2018 

3 https://www.cdc.gov/contactlenses/fast-facts.html#two

Approximately 45 million 

Americans wear contact lenses1
7

• Microbial keratitis

• Allergies affecting the eyes

• Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (GPC)

• Corneal abrasion

• Contact Lens-induced Acute Red Eye (CLARE)

• Corneal infiltrates

• Dry eyes

• Neovascularization

Risks from Use of Contact Lenses

https://www.cdc.gov/contactlenses/other-complications.html
8

Emergency Room Medical Record Reports from 

the National Electronic Injury Surveillance 

System database (1/1/04-12/21/05)1

• Compared to all other MDAEs2, contact lenses 

accounted for most MDAEs (23%)

1Wang C, Hefflin B, Cope JU, et al. Emergency department visits for medical device associated adverse events among children. Pediatrics 2010;126:247-259 2MDAEs: Medical device-associated adverse events
9

FDA Safeguards

• Review of premarket submissions

• Standards

• Guidance

• Postmarket surveillance 

– MedWatch, PAS, and 522 studies

• Research

• Outreach
10

CL Premarket Submissions

• Materials/Chemistry

• Manufacturing

• Sterility 

• Shelf Life

• Biocompatibility

• Performance testing: nonclinical

• Performance testing: clinical

General recommendations described

in FDA Guidance and FDA-recognized

consensus standards
11

Chemistry Review of Contact Lenses1

• Properties unique to each contact lens product that 

may affect performance

– Material composition (USAN† designation)

– Physical properties (e.g., water, RI*, modulus, Dk**, %T***)

– Surface characteristics/treatments

– Packaging solution composition

– Material and manufacturing residuals (Biocompatibility)

– Interaction with care product solutions

– Lens design (e.g., lens edge design)

1http://www.fda.gov/medicaldevices/deviceregulationandguidance/guidancedocuments/ucm080928.htm

†USAN-United States Adopted Name Council

*RI-refractive index

**Dk-oxygen permeability

***Transmission 
12

Clinical Assessment of CL 

Performance1,2

• Clinical evidence supports marketing clearance/approval for 

each new lens material

• The following outcomes are assessed:

– Adverse Reactions

– Slit Lamp Examination

– Symptoms/Problems/Complaints

– Keratometric Changes/Refractive Changes

– Visual Acuity

– Average Wear Times

– Discontinued Eyes

– Lens Replacements

– Contact Lens Performance (i.e., lens centration and movement)

– Lens Surface characteristics (i.e., wettability and deposition)

1http://www.fda.gov/medicaldevices/deviceregulationandguidance/guidancedocuments/ucm080928.htm

2http://www.fda.gov/downloads/medicaldevices/deviceregulationandguidance/guidancedocuments/ucm080218.pdf
13

Contact Lens Labeling

CL labeling typically contains the following prescription 

elements:

• Manufacturer’s brand name

– Refers to the entire device inclusive of the material 

name, manufacturing process, packaging solution and 

other factors which may impart unique attributes to the 

lens material

– Distinguishing attributes can result in differences among 

USAN materials, in contact lens fitting, performance and 

ocular health
14

Contact Lens Labeling (cont’d)

• Base Curve (BC)

– Affects the alignment of the lens to the topography of the 

central cornea

– Same BC for different brands may not be clinically 

equivalent

• Diameter 

– Affects lens centration

– Same diameter for different brands may not be clinically 

equivalent

• Dioptric Power

– Affects strength of correction

– Improper power may result in reduced visual acuity, eye 

strain and headaches
15

• There is currently no regulatory pathway for marketing 

of generic CLs

• The current clinical care paradigm does not support 

substitution of CLs brands without a clinical evaluation

• Additional research and education is needed regarding 

critical design and material properties to support 

clinical equivalency between lens brands

Possibility of CL Brand 

Substitution
16

FDA Recognized Consensus 

Standards*

ISO 9394 Third edition 2012 Ophthalmic Optics-Contact Lenses and Contact Lens Care Products-Determination of Biocompatibility by Ocular Study 

with Rabbit Eyes

ISO 11980 Third edition 2012 Ophthalmic Optics -- Contact Lenses and Contact Lens Care Products -- Guidance for Clinical Investigations

ISO 11981 Second edition 2009 Ophthalmic Optics -- Contact Lenses and Contact Lens Care Products -- Determination of Physical Compatibility of 

Contact Lens Care Products with Contact Lenses

ISO 11986 Second edition 2010 Ophthalmic Optics -- Contact Lenses and Contact Lens Care Products -- Guidelines for Determination of Preservative 

Uptake and Release

ISO 13212 Second edition 2011 Ophthalmic optics -- Contact lens care products -- Guidelines for determination of shelf-life

ISO 14729 First edition 2001 Ophthalmic Optics - Contact Lens Care Products - Microbiological Requirements and Test Methods for Products and 

Regimens for Hygienic Management of Contact Lenses [including Amendment 1 (2010)]

ISO 14730 First edition 2009 Ophthalmic Optics -- Contact Lens Care Products -- Antimicrobial Preservative Efficacy Testing and Guidance on 

Determining Discard Date 

ISO 18369-1 First edition 2006 Ophthalmic optics - Contact lenses - Part 1: Vocabulary, classification system and recommendations for labelling 

specifications [including: Amendment 1: 2009)

ISO 18369-2 Second edition 2012 Ophthalmic optics - Contact lenses - Part 2: Tolerances

ISO 18369-3 First edition 2006 Ophthalmic optics - Contact lenses - Part 3: Measurement methods

ISO 18369-4 First edition 2006 Ophthalmic optics - Contact lenses - Part 4: Physicochemical properties of contact lens materials

ISO 18259 First Edition 2014 Ophthalmic optics — Contact lens care products — Method to assess contact lens care products with contact lenses in a 

lens case, challenged with bacterial and fungal organisms

ISO 18189 First edition 2016 Ophthalmic optics — Contact lens care products — Cytotoxicity testing of contact lenses in combination with lens care 

solution to evaluate lens/solution interactions

ANSI Z80.18 -2010 American National Standard for Ophthalmics - Contact Lens Care Products: Vocabulary, Performance Specifications and 

Test Methodology

ANSI Z80.20-2010 American National Standard for Ophthalmics - Contact Lenses - Standard Terminology, Tolerances, Measurements and 

Physicochemcial Properties

*For use in satisfying premarket submission requirements—recognized standards database

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfStandards/search.cfm
17

FDA Guidance1

• Describes FDA’s interpretation of, or policy on, a 

regulatory issue

– Product-specific

– Labeling

– Manufacturing

– Clinical studies

» Sample Size

» Study Design

» Data Analysis 

• FDA Contact Lens Guidance outlines recommended 

testing for manufacturers2

1www.fda.gov/cdrh/guidance.html 2http://www.fda.gov/RegulatoryInformation/Guidances/ucm080928.htm
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Postmarket

• To report adverse events including contact lens related 

infections

– FDA Medwatch https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/default.htm

• To report unlawful internet sales or contact lens 

vendors selling without a prescription

– FDA Website: Report a Problem 

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/ReportaProblem/ucm059315.htm

• 522 study: FDA mandated post market surveillance study

– List of studies and study status available to the public 

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfPMA/pss.cf
19

FDA Research

• FDA conducted research to:

– Categorize the numerous silicone hydrogel lenses to address concerns 

with dimensional stability and toxicity 

– Evaluate the efficacy of care product solutions in the presence of lenses --

- real world testing

– Develop Acanthamoeba test method

• Outcomes of research published in Eye and Contact Lens:

– Material Properties That Predict Preservative Uptake for Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses.

Green JA, Phillips KS, Hitchins VM, Lucas AD, Shoff ME, Hutter JC, Rorer EM, Eydelman MB.

– Impact of Contact Lens Materials on Multipurpose Contact Lens Solution Disinfection Activity Against Fusarium solani.

Clavet CR, Chaput MP, Silverman MD, Striplin M, Shoff ME, Lucas AD, Hitchins VM, Eydelman MB.

– The Effects of Contact Lens Materials on a Multipurpose Contact Lens Solution Disinfection Activity Against Staphylococcus aureus.

Shoff ME, Lucas AD, Brown JN, Hitchins VM, Eydelman MB.

– Strategies to Optimize Conditions for Testing Multipurpose Contact Lens Solution Efficacy Against Acanthamoeba.

Shoff M, Eydelman MB.

– Proposed Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lens Grouping System for Lens Care Product Compatibility Testing.

Hutter JC, Green JA, Eydelman MB. 

– Preclinical Research to Aid in the Development of Test Methods for Contact Lenses and Their Care Products.

Eydelman MB, Kiang T, Tarver ME, Alexander KY, Hutter JC.

– The Food and Drug Administration's Role in Establishing and Maintaining Safeguards for Contact Lenses and Contact Lens Care Products.

Eydelman MB, Tarver ME, Kiang T, Alexander KY, Hutter JC.

– Optimized Protocol for Testing Multipurpose Contact Lens Solution Efficacy Against Acanthamoeba.

Fedorko DP, Brocious JM, Adams KD, Hitchins VM, Hampton DL, Eydelman MB
20

Outreach: Public Meetings

• 2008: Ophthalmic Advisory Panel Meeting1

• 2009: Contact Lens Care Product Microbiology Workshop2

• May 2014: Ophthalmic Advisory Panel Meeting3

• September 2014: Microbiology Workshop4

• September 2016: Controlling the Progression of Myopia: 

Contact Lenses and Future Medical Devices5

• March 2017: Ophthalmic Advisory Panel Meeting6

1http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfAdvisory/details.cfm?mtg=699

2https://web.archive.org/web/20100307130157/http:/www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/NewsEvents/WorkshopsConferences/ucm111136.htm

3http://www.fda.gov/AdvisoryCommittees/CommitteesMeetingMaterials/MedicalDevices/MedicalDevicesAdvisoryCommittee/OphthalmicDevicesPanel/ucm385476.htm 4http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/NewsEvents/WorkshopsConferences/ucm409778.htm

5https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/07/11/2016-16353/controlling-the-progression-of-myopia-contact-lenses-and-future-medical-devices-public-workshop 6https://www.fda.gov/AdvisoryCommittees/CommitteesMeetingMaterials/MedicalDevices/MedicalDevicesAdvisoryCommittee/OphthalmicDevicesPanel/default.htm
21

Outreach: Websites & Consumer 

Updates

• Consumer-focused articles distributed to over 

 75,000 subscribers

– “Decorative Contact Lenses: Is Your Vision Worth It?” 

http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm275069.htm

– “Improper Use of Decorative Contact Lenses May Haunt You” 

http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm048902.htm

– “FDA Teams Up for Novel Campaign on Risks of Decorative 

Contact Lenses” 

http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm402704.htm

• Websites: 

– FDA

http://www.fda.gov/contactlenses

http://www.fda.gov/decorativecontacts

– In Partnership with CDC

http://www.cdc.gov/contactlenses/decorative-contacts.html
22

Outreach: Medscape 

Commentaries & Interviews

• “Telling the FDA: Why Contact Lens Adverse 

 Events Matter”

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/774062_3 

• “Decorative Contact Lenses: Truly Frightening”

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/773106
23

Outreach: Videos

• FDA Video

– “Improper Use of Decorative Contact 

Lenses May Haunt You”

http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm187691.htm

• Public Service Videos

– Two public service videos created in 

partnership with American Optometric 

Association, the Entertainment Industries 

Council and artists from American Horror 

Story

– Informs on proper way to wear the lenses

– Recommends getting an eye exam and valid 

prescription
24

Outreach: Social Media

• FDA launched a Twitter campaign regarding decorative CLs 

 in 2012

– Twilight Conferences (nationwide), Comic-Con, Hunger Games movie 

release, Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo, Anime Boston

– Sample message: 

» Want to look like your favorite vampire? See an eye doctor before 

buying costume/fashion lenses. Link to flyer @twi_tour, #twilight 

• FDA participated in CDC’s Contact Lens Health Week Twitter 

Chat in 2015, 2016, and 2017

• FDA launched a Google AdWords Campaign in August 2015 

during the CDC / FDA Twitter Chat
25

Questions?

J. Angelo Green, Ph.D., DABT

Branch Chief (Acting)

Contact Lens and Retinal Devices Branch

DOED/CDRH/FDA

Email: angelo.green@fda.hhs.gov

Phone: 301-796-6860