Businesses accused of selling cosmetic contact lenses without prescriptions, some tainted with dangerous bacteria LOS ANGELES >> Federal prosecutors charged 12 people and businesses this week with selling illegal and potentially dangerous cosmetic contact lenses, including some contaminated with a virulent strain of bacteria capable of blinding wearers, authorities said. The charges stem from an investigation into the sales of cosmetic contact lenses without prescriptions in the weeks leading up to Halloween dubbed “Operation Cat Eyes,” Assistant United States Attorney Amanda Bettinelli said. Cosmetic contact lenses used to change the wearer’s eye color have been growing in popularity, officials said. They range from subtle color changes to ornate designs. But while contact lenses are illegal to sell without a prescription, non-presciption, or “misbranded,” lenses have been increasingly popping up in beauty salons and costume stores. “They’re so easily available, and they can do horrific injury to your eye in a short period of time,” Bettinelli said. Without being properly fitted to each individuals eyes, contact lenses have the potential to cause abrasions, lesions and other serious injuries, Bettinelli explained. There are no guarantees regarding the quality of the lenses or the conditions in which they are manufactured, which are sometimes “filthy,” she said. And in some cases, the lenses and the fluid they are [...] newsinca/businesses-accused-of-selling-cosmetic-contact-lenses-without-prescriptions-some-tainted-with-dangerous-bacteria/
Posted on: Sat, 08 Nov 2014 12:15:20 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015