Ophthalmologists warn of five frightening risks of wearing contact lenses without a prescription

By Neil B. Zusman, M.D., FACS Zusman Eye Care Center

If contacts are not professionally fitted to your eye, they can scratch the clear front window of the eye. This is called a corneal abrasion, which is not only painful, but can cause permanent damage. SHUTTERSTOCK PHOTO

Zombie or devil contact lenses may elevate a Halloween costume's fright factor, but wearing them without a prescription could result in something far more terrifying — blindness. Zusman Eyecare Center joins the American Academy of Ophthalmology in urging Halloween shoppers to understand the risks of wearing over-the-counter contact lenses.

While it is illegal to sell non-prescription contact lenses, they can still be easily purchased at many places such as beauty supply stores, costume shops and on the web. Falsely advertised as "one-size-fits-all" or "no prescription necessary," these lenses can cause serious eye damage.

Ophthalmologists are reminding people of five frightening consequences of ignoring the warnings:

1. Scratches to the eye. If contacts are not professionally fitted to your eye, they can scratch the clear front window of the eye. This is called a corneal abrasion, which is not only painful, but can cause permanent damage. Just ask Laura Butler, who was in severe pain due to corneal abrasions 10 hours after putting in non-prescription lenses, which "stuck to my eye like suction cups." Treatment often involves medication and patching, but in some cases damage cannot be reversed. Butler now lives with a corneal scar, vision damage and a drooping eyelid.

2. Infection. Research shows wearing non-prescription contacts increases the risk of an infection called keratitis by 16 times. Early treatment with antibiotic or steroid drops may preserve vision, but sometimes surgery, such as corneal transplantation, is necessary. Robyn Rouse had to have that surgery after she got an infection after wearing non-prescription lenses she bought at a store. Twelve years later, she still has blurry vision in her left eye and uses daily drops to combat dry eye.

3. Pink eye. Never share contacts because doing so can spread germs, causing conditions such as pink eye. Highly contagious, pink eye treatment depends on the cause, but typically includes antibiotic drops.

4. Decreased vision. Whether from a corneal scratch or infection, wearing non-prescription contacts can lead to decreased vision.

5. Blindness. It's no scare tactic: wearing non-prescription contacts can lead to permanent vision loss. Julian Hamlin has had more than 10 surgeries and is now legally blind in his left eye after wearing contacts to change his eye color, a mistake he'll live with forever.

The Academy encourages the public to watch and share its "No Prescription, No Way" public service announcement that shows the serious damage that these non-prescription costume contact lenses can inflict on the eyes. Visit the Academy's EyeSmart website to learn more about contact lens safety at www.aao.org.