A Smithfield Optometrist is concerned for those Halloween revelers who, in preparing for the holiday next Tuesday, are buying decorative costume contact lenses.
Nathan Broschinksky (bro-shin-skee) said many of these contacts are being sold illegally and can cause serious eye problems.
He said most optometrists are happy to work with FDA regulated contact distributors who can provide contacts that are healthy, that will fit well and have amazing designs on them, and that are safe to wear.
He said most of the time contacts are safe and work well but he has known of cases where patients insisting on buying colored contacts from a non-reputable source later developed severe bacterial ulcers on their eyes which led to scarring that caused major vision problems.
Broschinksky said when you buy contacts, the seller must require a prescription. If they don’t, you should avoid buying from them.