 The department's investigators were tipped off by a school nurse who contacted
the office because a student sustained an eye injury from wearing contact lenses
purchased from a convenience store in town. Colored lenses purchased without
proper examinations and fittings put thousands of Illinois customers at risk of
scratches, infections and potential blindness.
"Young people and their parents need to be aware that a prescription and
proper fitting by a licensed professional is mandatory, even for colored,
cosmetic contact lenses," said Susan Gold, acting secretary of the Department of
Financial and Professional Regulation. "Protecting consumers from unnecessary
danger of infection is an important part of our responsibility as regulators."
Only eye care professionals licensed in Illinois are authorized to prescribe
contact lenses. There are almost 2,000 licensed optometrists in Illinois, and
many have reported seeing patients who have suffered from infections or corneal
scratches as a result of contact lens problems. Because contact lenses sit
directly on the cornea and limit the amount of oxygen reaching the eye, all
contact lenses pose some risk to wearers. Sales of contact lenses to consumers
without a valid prescription are considered the unlicensed practice of optometry
and subject to cease and desist orders and civil fines of up to $10,000.
In addition to scratches from ill-fitting lenses, bacteria build within the
eye very rapidly and can cause infections. Some types of bacteria can cause
permanent scarring within 20 hours of the outbreak, if left untreated. While the
infection may look like pinkeye, an easily treated eye infection, contact lenses
can cause eye ulcers, which must be treated with strong antibiotic medicine. If
left untreated, ulcers can cause partial or total irreversible blindness.
Because the health risk is serious and most of the customers seeking cosmetic
contact lenses are teens and young adults, the Department of Financial and
Professional Regulation is partnering with the Illinois State Board of Education
and the Illinois Department of Public Health to alert teachers, administrators
and health care professionals in every school district and county in the state
about the serious health and vision problems facing young people and warning
signs to look for in their students and patients.
Illinois residents are encouraged to notify state officials if they see
lenses for sale at retail outlets that do not require a prescription from a
licensed eye care professional. Consumers can file complaints at
www.idfpr.com or by calling the consumer
hotline number 1-888-4REGUL8 (1-888-473-4858).
[to top of second column]
 |
Common-sense tips for safe use of contact lenses
-
Wear contact
lenses only if they are fitted and prescribed by an eye care
professional.
-
Do not purchase
lenses from flea markets, beauty supply stores or costume shops.
-
Never swim while
wearing contact lenses. There is a risk of eye infection when
contact lenses come into contact with bacteria found in pool
water.
-
Make sure lenses
are properly cleaned, disinfected and stored.
-
Wash your hands
before handling your contact lenses.
-
Never swap or
share your contact lenses with anyone else.
-
Never sleep while
wearing contact lenses unless they are extended-wear lenses
specifically designed for that purpose.
-
Follow manufacturer's or eye care
professional's instructions to replace and discard used lenses.
Minimize risk of infection
-
Replace your
contact lens case every three to six months.
-
Use fresh, sterile
water every time you clean your lenses.
-
Always use fresh
contact solution.
-
Remove your lenses at night, even if
they are designed for extended wear. They reduce the amount of
oxygen that gets to the cornea, which can stress your eyes and
make them more prone to infection.
Symptoms of eye irritation or
infection -- seek professional care immediately
-
Discomfort,
swelling or pain.
-
Excessive tearing
or other discharge.
-
Unusual
sensitivity to light.
-
Itching, burning
or gritty feeling.
-
Unusual redness.
-
Blurred vision.
[Text from
Illinois
Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information] |
