SAN ANTONIO – If you're buying decorative contact lenses without a prescription, you could do serious damage to your eyes.
Because many choose the various lenses to accompany ghastly and ghoulish costumes at Halloween, federal officials are cracking down on illegal sales of contact lenses while warning consumers to buy at their own risk.
"Operation Double Vision" targeted people selling counterfeit lenses, illegally imported decorative lenses and lenses unapproved by the Food and Drug Administration.
The FDA's Office of Criminal Investigations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Customs and Border Protection have made 74 seizures with more than 20,000 pairs of lenses seized. The agencies issued the warning Thursday.
Contact lenses are not allowed to be sold without a prescription.
"Our concern is that consumers who buy and use decorative contact lenses without a valid prescription can run significant risks of eye injuries, including blindness," said Philip J. Walsky, acting director of FDA's Office of Criminal Investigations. "It is always better to involve a qualified eye care professional and protect your vision."
The agencies recommend:
- Consumers should get an eye exam from a licensed eye doctor
- Get a valid prescription that includes the brand name, lens measurements and an expiration date
- Buy the lenses from a seller who requires you to show a prescription (even if you're shopping online)
- Follow directions for cleaning, disinfecting and wearing the lenses
Anime or circle lenses, which give the wearer a wide-eyed look, have not been approved by the FDA.
If you've worn the lenses and have signs of an eye infection – including redness, lasting eye pain or decrease in vision – see a doctor immediately.
"You'd never buy a heart valve at a gas station and you should never buy a medical device like contact lenses at one either," said Dr. Jeffrey Hackleman, president of the Georgia Optometric Association. "You only get one pair of eyes and risking a lifetime of vision for a quick thrill is quite frankly not being vision smart. Contact lenses are like sponges that can absorb bacteria and cause an infection if not handled properly. A lifetime of good vision is so much more important than a cheap Halloween accessory."