Risky Halloween Contact Lenses: Attorney General's Warning on Eye Health Hazards

The Dangers of Wearing Cosmetic Contact Lenses

Date: October 18, 2017 Author: Whitney Anderson

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:

Prevent Blindness:

Whitney Anderson 800 301-2020 ext.105 [email protected]

Attorney General's Office:

Dan Tierney 614 466-3840 [email protected]

Ohio Optical Dispensers Board:

Kathleen Eagan 614 466-9707 [email protected]

Attorney General DeWine, The Ohio Affiliate of Prevent Blindness, and the Ohio Optical Dispensers Board Join Forces to Warn Agnst Risky Halloween Contact Lens Wear

Columbus, OH-Oct. 19, 2017 - In preparation for this festive season, Attorney General Mike DeWine, along with The Ohio Affiliate of Prevent Blindness and the Ohio Optical Dispensers Board, are united in their efforts to educate consumers about the potential dangers associated with the use of decorative contact lenses without proper prescription.

Statement from Attorney General DeWine:

It is crucial that individuals understand the risks involved when they choose to wear contact lenses without a medical prescription, stated Attorney General Mike DeWine. Our goal is to ensure Ohioans make informed decisions about their vision health, especially during this exciting time of year.

Risks and Statistics Highlighted by The Ohio Affiliate of Prevent Blindness:

• Increased Risk: Wearing cosmetic contact lenses increases the risk for keratitis, a potentially blinding infection that can lead to an ulcer in the eye. This increased risk was found to be approximately 16 times higher compared to those using vision-correcting regular lenses.

• Unsafe Practices Among Youth and Adults:

  • Adolescents: Eighty-five percent of adolescents aged 12-17,

  • Young Adults: Eighty-one percent of young adults aged 18-24, and

  • Older Adults: Ninety-two percent of those aged 25 and older reported engaging in behaviors that could compromise their eye health.

Safety Tips Provided by The Ohio Affiliate of Prevent Blindness:

1. Consult a Licensed Eye Care Professional: Always visit an expert to ensure safe fitting of cosmetic contact lenses.

2. Obtn a Prescription: Never buy contacts without professional guidance.

3. Proper Hygiene: Regularly clean and disinfect lenses as instructed by your eye care provider.

4. Safe Cosmetics Use: Use water-soluble cosmetics or those specifically labeled for contact lens use; avoid skin creams near the eyes.

5. Night Vision Consideration: Avoid opaque lenses if experiencing problems with night vision.

6. Avoid Sharing Contacts: Never share or trade contacts with others, and seek immediate medical attention should your eyes show signs of redness, pn, or discharge.

Educational Resource:

To d consumers further, The Ohio Affiliate of Prevent Blindness offers comprehensive information on its dedicated webpage, avlable at http:www.preventblindness.orgwearing-contact-lenses.

Action Call from Attorney General DeWine:

DeWine encourages all Ohio residents to report any illegal sales of contact lenses directly to the Ohio Optical Dispensers Board via 614-466-9709.

This collaboration underscores a commitment to promoting public health and safety, particularly in regards to eye care practices during holidays like Halloween. Through education and awareness campgns such as this one, efforts are made to prevent any potential harm that could result from improper use of cosmetic contact lenses.

Additional Information:

• Serious Eye Injuries Linked to Illegally Sold Products: picture illustrating severe injuries caused by illegally sold decorative contact lenses was provided, highlighting the necessity for caution when choosing vision products.

• Authoritative Sources:

  • FDA Food and Drug Administration photo credit for the display of a potential black market contact lens sales scenario.

  • Dr. Thomas L. Steinemann, Professor at Case Western Reserve UniversityMetroHealth Medical Center and Prevent Blindness volunteer, offered commentary on vision loss cases linked to these products.

The collaboration among Attorney General DeWine, The Ohio Affiliate of Prevent Blindness, and the Ohio Optical Dispensers Board exemplifies a collaborative approach towards public health advocacy. This initiative ensure that all Ohio residents are aware of potential risks associated with decorative contact lenses and understand the importance of adhering to safe usage practices.

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