Illegal contacts sold at local stores

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - Pop singer Lady Gaga made the "doe-eyed" look popular in a video last year. Since then, cosmetic contacts in all colors and designs have shown up in the eyes of young people and most are sold illegally online or in stores.

Armed with an undercover camera, a 10 On Your Side producer purchased cosmetic lenses at Foxy Jewelry and Accessory on Atlantic Avenue at the Oceanfront. A concerned parent who works for a local eye doctor contacted 10 On Your Side after her son came home with a pair.

On the video, the store clerk said the contacts are safe and last up to three years. The lenses are sold in unmarked vials, with no instructions, for up to $30 a pair.

Dr. David Tang, an optometrist with Beach Eye Care, said the scary look can be down right frightening for your eyes.

"Corneal ulcers, which if not treated early enough, can lead to internal infections. We also see corneal scarring which can lead to permanent vision loss and possibly blindness, corneal swelling or what we call edema which is depriving the cornea of oxygen and corneal abrasions which are small cuts," said Dr. Tang.

The Federal Drug Administration states contact lenses are medical devices and under Virginia code, only a licensed practitioner can sell them. The Virginia Department of Health Professions investigates consumer complaints and turns the information over to the local Commonwealth's Attorney. The violation is a class 1 misdemeanor.

10 On Your Side returned to Foxy and the clerk said we needed to call her boss. When we tried, there was no answer.

An eye popping lesson that can have disastrous results, unless you see the right person.

"They come here around Halloween time. Colored contact lenses, cosmetic contact lenses become popular at that time and we do fit those around that time of year," said Dr. Tang.

Click here for Virginia Department of Health Professions

Click here for FDA guidelines