"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. Good vision and eye health is too
important to risk for the sake of eye color," said Manuel Flores,
acting secretary of financial and professional regulation. In
recent years, IDFPR has ordered beauty supply stores and flea market
vendors to immediately stop selling cosmetic, colored contact lenses
without a prescription. It has fined them up to $10,000 for selling
lenses without the proper health care license. All other sales of
contact lenses to consumers are considered the unlicensed practice
of optometry.
"Stopping unlicensed practice is always a challenge, but by
educating consumers and imposing the maximum allowable fine for
every violation, we hope to gain the attention of retailers who are
breaking the law but find the profits hard to give up," said Flores.
"We will continue to invest resources into cutting off the supply of
cosmetic contact lenses and hope for a reduction in the number of
infections as a result."
Only eye care professionals licensed in Illinois are authorized
to prescribe contact lenses. Without a prescription, it is against
the law to sell lenses. There are almost 2,000 licensed optometrists
in Illinois and hundreds of ophthalmologists licensed as physicians.
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 could potentially
limit the amount of oxygen reaching the eye, all contact lenses pose
some risk to wearers. By requiring lenses to be fitted and sold by
professionals, that risk is limited and managed.
In addition to scratches from ill-fitting lenses, another factor
that makes this health threat so pressing is that bacteria build
within the eye very rapidly. Some types of bacteria can cause
permanent scarring within 20 hours of the outbreak, if left
untreated. Additionally, contact lens wearers with irritated eyes
have on occasion been misdiagnosed with pinkeye, an easily treated
eye infection. However, ill-fitting 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.
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 complaint intake office at 312-814-6910.
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Common-sense tips for safe contact
lens use
-
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 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.
-
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]
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