FDA control of colored contacts urged

[Algorem]

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1128764323108150.xml&coll=2

Saturday, October 08, 2005...

Washington - Teenagers who buy colored contact lenses at gas stations and costume stores and use them inappropriately end up in his hospital with eyes that are irritated, infected and bloody. Several have needed corneal transplants.

On Friday, the Case Western Reserve University medical school professor visited Capitol Hill with a gruesome slideshow of eye injuries that occur when clueless lens purchasers engage in unsanitary practices like leaving them in their eyes for weeks, trading them with friends, or storing them in nonsterile fluids...

Boozman's office said the bill has 70 sponsors, including Ohio Democrats Sherrod Brown of Avon and Dennis Kucinich of Cleveland, as well as Republicans Mike Oxley of Findlay and Patrick Tiberi of Columbus.

The Senate unanimously passed its version of the bill in July. "I hope my colleagues in the House will see the importance of this legislation and will join the Senate in an attempt to prevent needless eye complications," said Ohio Republican Sen. Mike DeWine, who co-authored the Senate bill with Massachusetts Democrat Ted Kennedy.

[ElectroPrincess]

1. Talk about your "nanny state"

This is not an example of "Blinded by the Right" but one of "Legislation of the INANE."

Of all the dangers in this world, I never fail to be amazed at such inept leadership. :puke:

If teens are STOOPID enough to abuse contacts then one has to ask the question, "Is it any wonder that they remember to breath?"

My opinion: If one abuses colored contacts and ends up needing a corneal transplant, well ... perhaps they should not breed? natural selection has been altered to the point where we have walking, talking, IDIOTS in our society. ;)

On edit: This is where I differ from the far left albeit I'm often accused of being far left. I'm proud to be LIBERAL but NOT on these type "nanny" issues - That is, sometimes you just have to allow natural selection to work. :-)

[pretzel4gore]

3. the whole soup needs defunking

mygod, the role of advertising in the world (i recall in 70's seeing a can of hippy air freshener that had warning that the can didn't contain any 'magical properties') has too often made stupid seem cool, crazy seem smart etc....you're right about the busybodies wasting energy on this, but there should be controls on advertising, or at least on the money behind advertising ...or at least the medium of advertising, or the money behind the medium!

[tammywammy]

5. I totally agree with you

I started wearing contacts when I was 10. If a 10 year old can take care of contacts (and it's really not that hard), then I don't see why we need the government in this. I mean, you pop it out, put it in a case with solution. That's it. You don't have to rub or spray for 5 seconds (it's just so you'll use more, you just have to put it in the solution over night).

Don't these contact come with simple instructions on cleaning? If someone can't follow the instructions, it's their own fault.

[Ilsa]

6. Do they come with appropriate instructions? I don't know.

Maybe some do and some don't. I don't think FDA intervention is warranted except maybe to the same extent (or less) they regulate makeup. I think someone needs to monitor that the instructions are clear with the risks for inappropriate usage delineated.

[tammywammy]

10. From what I know

I'd still have to go to an eye doctor to get colored contacts (and even it they weren't perscription).

And to note, I've never seen contacts for sale at a gas station or speciality store, only at the eye doctor.

If there's no instructions, I agree, some oversight like that the FDA does for makeup, but really no more than that.

I wear contacts 99% of the time. They take minimal amount of care. But then at the same time, I also go to the eye doctor every year, and most people don't.

[depakid]

11. Umm- excuse me?

Contact lenses at gas stations- blinding people- and you're throwing out loaded "nanny state" language?

Now, it's one thing to require a visit to an opthamologist every year in order to fill a contact prescription- which I would agree is special interest legislation- and quite another to keep dangerous products out of the hands of teens (and others) who can be expected to misuse or abuse them.

There's a balance to be struck- and, at least from my perspective, I think admittedly stupid teens ought to be given a chance to grow up (and get smart) with eyesight intact. If that means a little bit of inconvenience at the gas station (or costume store)- well, small price to pay- especially compared with the price EVERYONE ends up paying one way or another- for blindness.

[GreenArrow]

2. I agree with you

It's a complete waste of time and money.

[unrepuke]

4. Oops. I thought "Colored Contacts" were the minority people one knows...

...I can get a good stereo deal from Jamal...

...some good baklavah from Mohammad...

...Toxic Menudo at Sanchez' Cantina...


:eyes: silly me:blush:

[annabanana]

14. heehee

(is your age showing?)

[pitohui]

7. oh that is gruesome

i didn't even know you could buy contacts w.out prescription

i'm sorry, i may be in the minority here, but i think there is no reason for contacts to be dispensed w.out eye exam & prescription

the assumption that everyone can read for comprehension is not correct, sadly

the first time you get contacts you should be seen & advised by a doctor

[BiggJawn]

8. They're cosmetic, not theraputic.

"Plano" is the technical term for them. They're marketed as cosmetics because they're coloured.

Like the white ones Marilynn Manson wears.

[Pharlo]

9. I agree with pitohui on this one.

Regardless of end use, cosmetic or theraputic, they should only be available through a qualified source - not sold at cosmetic stores and gas stations.

Where the hell are the parents in this?

If your child came home with different colored eyes, wouldn't you notice?

Wouldn't you ask "Well, where did you get them?"

And when they said "A gas station." Wouldn't your response be: "Are YOU telling ME that I raised a child so goddamn stupid they placed something they purchased at 'A GAS STATION!' in their EYES!!!"

Followed by: "Give them here. You want contacts, you go to a doctor and get them - we'll set up an appointment."

That's what my mother would have done.

[barb162]

13. Same here. I can't believe you could buy contacts without

a RX and I think they should not be sold over the counter. It's too dangerous as demonstrated.

[HuffleClaw]

12. "...or you'll go blind"

oh, how i long for the days when that phrase was reserved for the sin of masturbation.

[brentspeak]

15. I'm glad Congress is taking action on this

Teenagers (and other people) may be foolish, but there's no reason why their foolishness should condemn them to losing their eyesight. I believe that most of the teens injured by the contact lenses were unaware of the dangers in the first place.

[truthisfreedom]

16. all contacts should fall under prescription control. it's absolutely

ridiculous that anyone outside of a Hollywood movie set would be able to purchase cosmetic contacts without a prescription... they should be fitted and exams should be required every couple of years just like with regular contacts.

[ihelpu2see]

17. I have to agree, I am an eye doctor and plano or not

there are fitting parameters other than power... Big business, like the on-line sites want you to believe that you do not need your eye doctor but that is a bunch of crap. I see 2-3 contact lens induced "pink eyes" per week. A recent study even showed that patients that get regular eye exams are up to 70+% non-compliant with there care regimen. And needing a prescription and me charging for that evaluation is all apart of the regulation that should be in place. Commercialization of medical devices and even prescription medications has brought back the days of the snake oil sales man and it is pretty scary out there....