This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.

FDA warns against nonprescription ‘decorative’ contacts

Add topic to email alerts

Receive an email when new articles are posted on

Please provide your email address to receive an email when new articles are posted on .

Subscribe

Added to email alerts

You've successfully added to your alerts. You will receive an email when new content is published.

Click Here to Manage Email Alerts

You've successfully added to your alerts. You will receive an email when new content is published.

Click Here to Manage Email Alerts

Back to Healio

We were unable to process your request. Please try again later. If you continue to have this issue please contact customerservice@slackinc.com.

Back to Healio

ROCKVILLE, Md. — Federal regulators this week warned consumers about the dangers of “decorative” contact lenses.

A Food and Drug Administration statement, issued October 21, urges consumers to immediately discontinue the use of cosmetic contact lenses if they were obtained without proper fitting and a prescription. It also urges them to notify the FDA of any complaints or problems associated with the novelty products.

The warning says the lenses, if worn without proper fitting and prescription, carry serious risks of permanent eye injury that could potentially lead to blindness.

The FDA warning is timely, coming shortly before Halloween, when use of costume lenses tends to increase. It notes that these products are often marketed and distributed directly to consumers through flea markets, convenience stores and beach shops.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology applauded the FDA warning, released during its annual meeting in Orlando, Fla.

“We think the FDA’s aggressive enforcement of federal law will have a significant impact on stemming the recent public health crisis presented by the sales of illegal costume contact lenses,” said Catherine Cohen, AAO vice president for governmental affairs.

“To completely eliminate this problem, the public must also be vigilant, especially parents of teenagers,” Ms. Cohen said. “They need to warn their children of the risks associated with wearing these lenses. If their children are wearing lenses that have been purchased illegally, make them stop wearing the lenses. They should see an ophthalmologist immediately if they experience any eye problems. Finally, the public needs to report the sales of these contact lenses to the FDA so these laws can be enforced.”

Earlier this year the AAO issued a consumer warning on the risks of blindness and other eye injuries in response to reports about patients’ problems with the lenses. The AAO has since urged regulatory action by gathering case studies for the FDA that demonstrate the harm to patients.