With the ever-popular Twilight movie series, this Halloween, many teens may decide to purchase amber-colored contact lenses to complete their vampire costumes. However, the health risks of the decorative contact lenses may be scarier than the costumes themselves. The Michigan Optometric Association (MOA) warns consumers about the dangers of wearing decorative contact lenses without a prescription from an optometrist.
Federal law requires the Food and Drug Administration to regulate decorative lenses as a medical device, similar to corrective lenses; however, decorative lenses continue to be illegally marketed and distributed directly to consumers through a variety of sources including flea markets, the Internet, beauty salons and convenience stores.
“Contact lenses are safe only when they are fitted properly by an eye care professional,”
Purchasing contact lenses without a prescription can result in serious eye health and vision damage since consumers are not properly educated on cleaning and disinfecting, nor in proper removal and application of the contact lens. Without a prescription and wearing instructions from an optometrist, consumers who wear these contact lenses put themselves at risk of serious eye infection, or even significant damage to the eye’s ability to function, with the potential for irreversible sight loss.
Other risks associated with the use of decorative contact lenses include conjunctivitis, swelling, allergic reaction and corneal abrasion due to poor lens fit. Additional medical problems may result in a reduction of visual acuity (sight), contrast sensitivity and other general eye and vision impairments.
Tips for Decorative Contact Lens Wearers
1. See an optometrist for a proper fitting and prescription.
2. Always wash your hands before handling contact lenses.
3. Carefully and regularly clean contact lenses, as directed by your optometrist. Rub the contact lenses with fingers and rinse thoroughly before soaking lenses overnight in sufficient multi-purpose solution to insure proper disinfecting of the lens material.
4. Store lenses in the proper lens storage case and replace the case at a minimum of three months. Clean the case after each use, and keep it open and dry between cleanings.
5. Use only products recommended by your optometrists to clean and disinfect your lenses. Saline solution and rewetting drops are not designed to disinfect lenses.
6. Only fresh solution should be used to clean and store contact lenses. Never re-use old solution. Contact lens solution must be changed according to the manufacturer’
7. Always follow the recommended contact lens replacement schedule prescribed by your optometrist.
8. Remove contact lenses before swimming or entering a hot tub.
9. See your optometrist for your regularly scheduled contact lens and eye examination.
10. Do not, under any circumstances, share your contact lenses with another person.
11. Be aware that decorative contact lenses may reduce your night vision.
To find out more about your vision and eye health schedule an appointment with your optometrist. To locate a Michigan Optometric Association doctor, please visit www.themoa.org and click on the Find an Optometrist button at the top of the page.
