Tip of the Week - October 19, 2016 - Purchasing Any Contact Lenses Requires a Prescription

As we approach Halloween and consumers look for that perfect costume, some vendors may have cosmetic or decorative contact lenses for sale.  These lenses change the look of your eye but do not correct vision, which is why some consumers think it is harmless to buy them and wear them for a night.

"Wearing contact lenses that have not been prescribed for your eyes, may be hazardous.” said Kenny Ehrman, chair of the California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) Consumer Protection and Public Safety Foundation.   "All contact lenses, corrective or decorative,  require a prescription.” 

Why is a prescription necessary?  If contact lenses don't fit correctly the health of the eye is put at risk - this could include scratches and sores on the cornea, conjunctivitis, even blindness.