MCHD: All contact lenses require prescription

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - The Mobile County Health Department issued a warning about over the counter cosmetic contact lenses after a Mobile woman lost vision in one of her eyes.

Across the country, people are preparing to turn into ghosts, goblins and other ghoulish creatures for Halloween - and it doesn’t stop with the clothes. Some choose to go for a startling stare.

Ophthalmologist Dr. Matthew Mosteller said cosmetic contact lenses will give you a freakish look, but not the one you want.

"They want to have a real funky look to their eye. Well, if they want a funky look to their eye, just wear this thing for a couple of days. You’ll see what happens," said Dr. Mosteller.

Dr. Mosteller said a Mobile woman found this out the hard way. She purchased some flashy lenses from a local beauty shop.

He said she could only get one lens in and kept it there for a few days.

"After she had been wearing the contact lens for a couple of days and her eye was hot, inflamed, infected and even when the infections over, she’s going to be left with a permanent scar on her cornea and lose vision," said Dr. Mosteller.

He said it’s not just a local problem.

"This is happening all over the country," said Dr. Mosteller.

The American Optometric Association, FDA and health departments across the country have issued warnings.

In 2005, Congress passed legislation stating contact lenses are medical devices and can only be sold with a prescription at professional offices.

"They’re not any more dangerous than a regular contact lens except there’s no instruction, there’s no fit. You go buy them over the counter at a flea market, beauty supply shop," said Dr. Mosteller.

Although it’s illegal to sell cosmetic contact lenses without a prescription, Dr. Mosteller said a lot of businesses don’t know this or don’t care.

FOX10 wanted to see if we could buy them. We succeeded at our first stop.

We were able to buy cosmetic contact lenses, no questions asked, at a local beauty supply shop.

We asked the manager if she was aware of the health dangers. She said she tells anyone who buys them to “wear at their own risk.”

When asked if she knew she was breaking the law, she had no comment.

Spirit Halloween store manager Patty Martinez said you won’t find them in their stores.

"Because they are illegal," said Martinez.

Martinez said customers still ask for them.

"They get mad when we don't have them in the store," said Martinez.

You can still buy them from the store’s website, but you have to have a prescription to order. She said not having them in the store hasn’t hurt business.

The Mobile County Health Department said it has notified the District Attorney’s Office.

If you know of a store selling these lenses without a prescription it asks you call their office at (251) 574-8400 or the FDA (301) 796-5500.