Thursday, October 3, 2013
Dear PSA Director,
As people across the country start shopping for their perfect Halloween costume and are tempted to complete their look with costume contact lenses bought without a prescription, ophthalmologists – medical doctors specializing in the diagnosis, medical and surgical treatment of eye diseases and conditions – are warning consumers that doing so can lead to permanent vision loss.
Although the practice has been illegal since 2005, today cosmetic contact lenses are still sold in shops and via online retailers to customers who are unaware that wearing these devices can result in serious eye injuries. The American Academy of Ophthalmology warns that the lenses, which may not be manufactured to meet federal health and safety standards, can cause injuries such as cuts and open sores in the protective layer of the iris and pupil (corneal abrasions and ulcers) and potentially blinding painful bacterial infections (keratitis). These injuries can require serious eye surgeries such as corneal transplants, and in some cases lead to permanent vision loss. One study found that wearing costume contact lenses increased the keratitis risk by more than 16 times.
For this reason, the American Academy of Ophthalmology cautions that purchasing any contact lenses without an eye examination and a prescription from an ophthalmologist or an optometrist – a health care professional who provides primary vision care ranging from sight testing and correction to the diagnosis, treatment and management of vision changes – can cause serious eye disorders and infections, which may lead to blindness. Even if someone has perfect vision, they need to get a contact lens fitting and a prescription from an eye care professional in order to wear any kind of contact lens.
To make consumers aware of the dangers of decorative contact lenses, please place this PSA in heavy rotation between now and October 31, 2013.
Thank you in advance for your support.
Sincerely,
Linda Apeles
American Academy of Ophthalmology
:30 PSA SCRIPT
THIS HALLOWEEN MANY PEOPLE MAY CHOOSE TO ENHANCE THEIR COSTUMES WITH COLORFUL CONTACT LENSES. BUT CONSUMERS NEED TO KNOW THE RISKS. ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF OPHTHALMOLOGY, EYE PHYSICIANS ARE SEEING MORE CASES OF NON-PRESCRIPTION CONTACT LENSES PURCHASES THAT HAVE LED TO PAINFUL INFECTIONS AND PERMANENT VISION LOSS. EVEN IF YOU HAVE PERFECT VISION, YOU MUST GET AN EYE EXAM AND PRESCRIPTION IN ORDER TO BUY ANY TYPE OF CONTACT LENSES. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON CONTACT LENSES, VISIT, GETEYESMART.ORG.