Halloween hazard: FDA issues warning about decorative contact lenses

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Decorative contact lenses can certainly enhance a costume, but there is a warning about where you should get them.

John Majdoch says he's got the goods.

"We've got it all. We're at Halloween Express and it's another exciting day in the costume universe," said Majdoch, owner of Halloween Express.

But there's one item he's not selling, and that's decorative contact lenses.

"You don't want to get them from a Halloween store, in fact the FDA has a bulletin out saying they are not legal for us to sell," said Majdoch.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, even though the lenses are not corrective, they are regulated as medical devices. Places that advertise them as cosmetics or sell them without a prescription are breaking the law.

The FDA states improper use may cause infection, allergic reactions or worse. In fact, the organization has made several PSA videos on the issue.

"We get asked about the probably about 10 to 15 times a day," said Majdoch.

While Halloween Express doesn't sell them, just down the road, Discount Halloween on Greenfield Avenue does.

"We've got a set of yellow contacts," said James Peterson, owner of Discount Halloween.

Peterson says he sells what he believes to be an FDA approved product.

"They are a very small part of the business at this stage, although when you try to be the best costume store, you try to get what people ask for," said Peterson.

Novelty or not, the warning is out there.

Bottom line, using decorative lenses without the help of a professional can be risky, besides there are plenty of choices this Halloween if you are looking to 'spookify' the windows into your soul.

For more information on how to buy decorative lenses safely, CLICK HERE.