Standards of beauty are ever-changing. They follow trends, what’s going on at Fashion Week, and whatever Hollywood dictates at the moment. Because of this, there are entire industries promising to help you transform into that mold. Plastic surgeons, magic shakes that swear they have all the nutrients you need, slimming underwear… the list goes on. These beauty trends tend to be expensive and often enjoyed by specific demographics who can afford them.
Then there are more accessible trends, such as colored contact lenses sold at beauty stores. You may save some money at the cash register, but are they safe to wear? And is it even legal for a seller not in the ophthalmology industry to sell them in the first place?
Is it illegal for beauty supply stores to sell contact lenses?
Texas law establishes that a person who is not a prescribing physician or optometrist is not authorized to sell contact lenses to a consumer, unless they either receive a contact lens prescription from the prescribing physician, or can verify a contact lens prescription by directly communicating with the prescribing doctor.
So unless you actually went to an eye doctor and they prescribed contact lenses, any beauty store selling you lenses in the state of Texas is doing so illegally.
Can beauty store contact lenses cause injury to a person’s eyes?
Yes. Contact lens prescriptions exist for a reason. In addition to including the power needed to restore a person’s vision to full functionality, it provides information about the curvature and diameter of both of your eyes. This is extremely important, because if you wear contacts that are either too big or too small for your eyes, they could end up distorting your vision, or scratching or lacerating your cornea. Prescriptions also include information about how often to replace disposable contact lenses to prevent infection.
In addition, a physician takes into account the health of your eyes, as well as your lifestyle, when deciding which type of contact lens is best for you. A beauty store doesn’t take into account anything to safeguard your health. Simply saying that lenses are sterile is not enough.
In a worst-case scenario, wearing contact lenses without a prescription could result in permanent damage to your eyes, including loss of vision.
What if the contacts feel comfortable?
Even if you can see clearly and your contacts feel comfortable when you first try them on, it’s dangerous to continue wearing them if you obtained them without a prescription. It is possible for them to cause microscopic issues that you may not feel until the damage has already been done. Some risks include parasites, conjunctivitis (pink eye), or an eventual allergic reaction to ingredients in the contact lens solution.
In some instances, a person may not experience any symptoms during the first few days of wearing the wrong size of contact lens, then later experience pain and irritation.
Civil Litigation Attorneys in Texas
If you’ve recently bought contact lenses from a beauty store without a prescription, contact us. Our experienced attorneys at The Weycer Law Firm can help.
Discuss your case for FREE today by contacting us online or by calling (713) 668-4545.