FDA Warns: Decorative Contact Lenses Can Harm Your Eyes

Chrissie Cole

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With Halloween almost upon us, the FDA is warning consumers about unapproved use of decorative contact lenses that can harm your eyes.

These contact lenses are used to temporarily change the person’s eye color or to make their eyes look weird – for instance giving the wearer an “eye-of-the-tiger” look.

“Unauthorized use of decorative contact lenses is a year-round concern, but during Halloween people are more inclined to use them as a costume accessory,” says James Saviola, the Ophthalmic and Ear, Nose and Throat Devices network leader in FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health.

It is illegal for companies to market decorative lenses over-the-counter, yet consumers are able to buy them on the beauty salons, the Internet, video stores and various other outlets.

What troubles us is when they are bought and used without a valid prescription, without the involvement of a qualified eye care professional, or without appropriate follow-up care," says Saviola. "This can lead to significant risks of eye injuries, including blindness."

Unauthorized contact lenses of all types present risks to the eye that include corneal ulcers, corneal abrasion, vision impairment, and blindness.