As Halloween is only a week away, officials at the Food and Drug Administration's Office of Criminal Investigation and other agencies warn against using counterfeit colored contact lenses.
Currently federal agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations and Custom and Border Protection, are trying to snag illegally imported contact lenses, UPI reports. The prevention has been called "Operation Double Vision."
James Dinkins, executive associate director of Homeland Security Investigations, wrote in a statement, "Even though Halloween approaches, consumers shouldn't let a good deal or great costume blind them to the dangers of counterfeit decorative contact lenses."
Dinkins added, "What's truly scary is the damage these counterfeit lenses can do to your eyes for a lifetime."
Officials warn about buying colored contact lenses anywhere without a prescription. Fox News notes that Dinkins added that it is illegal to buy lenses without a prescription.
John Roth, director of FDA's Office of Criminal Investigations, said, "Our concern is that consumers who buy and use decorative contact lenses without a valid prescription can run significant risks of eye injuries, including blindness."
So think twice before buy contact lenses you think might add that extra something to your Halloween costume.
image: Wikimedia Commons
