If you wear contact lenses to correct your vision, you probably know that you need to have a prescription to buy them. However, if you are buying them just to change your eye color or have scary eyes for Halloween, you might find sellers who will illegally sell contact lenses without a prescription.
Keep in mind, all contact lenses are considered to be medical devices, and are therefore regulated by the Food and Drug Administration and require a prescription.
In addition to getting scammed or ripped off, using these lenses could be very dangerous if they do not fit properly or are contaminated.
Here is what you can do to be sure that you are buying from reputable sellers, and that these lenses will not hurt your eyes:
Most important – whether buying contact lenses to correct your vision or for cosmetic reasons, the FDA and American Optometric Association recommend that you get an eye exam from a licensed eye doctor who will do a thorough evaluation and provide a prescription for proper fitting lenses.
Although you are not required to purchase your lenses from your eye doctor, make sure that you are dealing with reputable sellers who require a prescription. If they do not require a prescription, this is a red flag to seek out a more reputable seller.
Before you insert the lenses into your eyes, make sure to check the packaging to be sure that it matches your prescription.
Follow the instructions from your eye care professional for cleaning and wear.
If you are experiencing eye problems, get help immediately from an eye doctor. If you suspect something is a scam or could put others at risk, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission or the Food and Drug Administration.
