Liability for extended-wear contact lenses.

Because of the risk of serious complication that accompanies the extended wear of contact lenses, clinical management should emphasize adequate communication with the patient and a systematic program of examination and follow-up. Management should be in compliance with informed consent requirements, which obligate practitioners to document instructions, findings, warnings, and recall examinations. The most likely legal claim is one of negligence, and the most common causes of liability are inappropriate patient selection, improper wearing schedules, improper management of contact lens-related complications (especially corneal abrasions), and inadequate monitoring of ocular health. In determining the liability of optometrists, a medical standard of care may be applied.