News / Clark County News

Cosmetic contact lenses frightening if not from a pro

By Marissa Harshman, Columbian Health Reporter

Published: October 12, 2014, 5:00pm

Some Halloween costumes may be enhanced by cosmetic contact lenses. But such lenses require a prescription from licensed eye care professionals, and for good reason. Lenses sold illegally on the Internet could lead to all sorts of eye afflictions.

A brightly colored or funkily patterned pair of contact lenses may be the final touch to complete a Halloween costume. But local ophthalmologists urge people to see an eye care professional, rather than Dr. Google, to find the perfect pair of cosmetic lenses.

Otherwise, lens wearers may be at risk for some frightful eye conditions.

“I think they can be a lot of fun and they’re nothing to be afraid of, as long as patients are perusing them along the proper avenues through an eye care professional,” said Dr. Adam Rasky, an ophthalmologist at Eye Care Specialists of Vancouver.

Cosmetic lenses — also known as decorative lenses or costume lenses — only change the appearance of the eye; they do not correct vision. But in 2005, following a slew of reports of eye infections and injuries, the Food and Drug Administration classified all costume lenses as medical devices and restricted their distribution to licensed eye care professionals.

Despite that action, the lenses are sold illegally without a prescription on the Internet. Buying lenses without first seeing an eye doctor, however, could lead to eye discomfort, abrasions, infections and even long-term eye damage, said Dr. Tony Poothullil, chief of ophthalmology at Kaiser Permanente.

“Getting something over the Internet without seeing an eye doc really isn’t a good idea,” he said.

One of the most important reasons to see an optometrist or ophthalmologist is to make sure the lenses are properly fitted, Poothullil said.

“It’s not a one-size-fits-all kind of deal,” he said.

Risking permanent damage

Poorly fitting contact lenses can result in a variety of problems. Some of the more minor problems are discomfort, irritation, pain and redness, Poothullil said. The lens can also get stuck to the surface of the eye if it’s not properly fitted, he said.

Poorly fitting lenses can also lead to scratches or abrasions of the eye, and, among the more serious problems, corneal infections and ulcers, Poothullil said.

“A bad corneal infection can cause some scarring in the cornea and cause loss of vision,” he said.

Optometrists and ophthalmologists can take measurements of the eye to determine the size and shape of a person’s eye and determine the type of lens that would provide the best fit, Poothullil said. They can also check for other conditions that could affect contact lens use, such as dry eyes, allergies or certain eye shapes, he said.

Eye care professionals can also provide education about the proper use and cleaning of contact lenses, Rasky said.

Contact lenses are made of a soft, porous material. Bacteria can adhere to the lens and, if they’re not properly cleaned, that bacteria can then be trapped between the eye and the lens, Rasky said.

“It’s set up for a bacterial infection of the eye,” he said.

Even people who are educated on lens care and are diligent in their eye care get infections from time to time, Poothullil said. Research has found, though, that people using cosmetic lenses (as opposed to corrective lenses) have a significantly higher rate of infection, he said.

That’s largely because they’re not fitted or cared for properly, Poothullil said.

“We only have two eyes,” he said. “You don’t want to take risks with that.”

Marissa Harshman

Columbian Health Reporter

Risking permanent damage

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