Purpose: To call attention to the unauthorized sale of cosmetic contact lenses, resulting in ocular complications.
Design: Observational case report.
Methods: Retrospective, observational, clinical practice setting.
Results: Six patients (five female and one male) were seen urgently for acute eye pain and redness after wearing cosmetic plano contact lenses. None of the patients had previously worn a contact lens or spectacle correction. None of the lenses were dispensed by eye care professionals. One patient developed pseudomonal keratitis, ultimately requiring penetrating keratoplasty for visual rehabilitation.
Conclusions: Colored contact lenses are being dispensed without a prescription or fitting from unlicensed vendors, such as cosmetics, convenience, and accessory stores. Lenses are sold individually and without care instructions. Consequently, uninformed lens wearers are experiencing acute, vision-threatening infections and inflammation.
The sale of colored cosmetic contact lenses by vendors other than eye care professionals has recently been reported (20/20. Colored Contact Lenses, ABC television. September 13, 2002). 1 Targeted consumers include young people with no need for vision correction who are unaware and uninformed of the proper use and care of contact lenses. Noted here are six cases of patients with pseudomonal keratitis, presumed bacterial keratitis, iridocyclitis, giant papillary conjunctivitis, and contact lens overwear syndrome after using cosmetic contact lenses from unlicensed retail vendors. All patients were sold individual contact lenses without a prescription or fitting, without information on proper use, and without ongoing supervision. All patients experienced acute vision-threatening problems.