News interview: Colored contact lenses are dangerous

This past weekend, local ABC affiliate KXLY here in Spokane, Washington, interviewed me to ask about the dangers of wearing colored contact lenses without a prescription. Here’s a link to the story, with the interview on video.

Screenshot from interview with KXLY about the dangers of costume colored contact lenses. To watch the interview video, check out the link in the first paragraph.

Sometimes, people want to change their eye color as part of a Halloween costume, and they find contact lenses that are sold without a prescription. This is illegal, since contact lenses are medical devices — you need to have a prescription from an ophthalmologist or optometrist to buy them legally.

Contact lenses worn without a prescription are illegal because they are dangerous for your eyes. They can cause painful eye injuries, dangerous eye infections, or even blindness. I have taken care of patients who had to have their eyes surgically removed from their sockets due to a blinding eye infection from poor contact lens wear.