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Contact: Lori Maldonado
Public Information Specialist
(303) 692-2028
For Immediate Release Monday, October 27, 2003
Halloween Warning: Decorative Contact Lenses Can Be Dangerous
DENVER--With the Halloween season approaching, state health
officials Monday joined the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in
warning consumers about the serious risks of using decorative
contact lenses without first visiting an eye care professional.
Susan Parachini, wholesale food program manager of the Colorado
Department of Public Health and Environment’s Consumer Protection
Division, said, “We are urging consumers not to use decorative
contact lenses unless they have seen an eye care professional and
have obtained proper fitting and instructions for using the product.
“These decorative lenses can cause permanent eye injuries and may
potentially lead to blindness. Ulcers of the cornea have been
associated with wearing decorative lenses longer than the
recommended period.”
Parachini explained that ulcers of the cornea can progress rapidly,
and, if left untreated, could lead to infection of the eye.
Uncontrolled infection can lead to scarring of the cornea and vision
impairment. In the most severe cases, this condition can result in
blindness and eye loss.
Parachini said that the Food and Drug Administration has received
reports of decorative contact lenses being marketed and distributed
directly to consumers through sources such as flea markets,
convenience stores and the Internet.
At Halloween, use of the lenses is especially popular among
teenagers and young adults, she said.
“Although decorative contact lenses may seem festive during this
time of year, consumers should understand that these lenses can
seriously harm the eye if they are used without appropriate
supervision by an eye care professional,” said Parachini.
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