The final touch to a top-notch Halloween costume could be contact lenses that change eye color or provide some special effect like a cat-eye-shaped iris. While such lenses can be purchased cheaply, their cost can be much higher.
Any seller of contact lenses, even if just for cosmetic purposes, must have a prescription from an ophthalmologist or an optometrist before selling the lenses to a consumer. In fact, it is illegal to sell contact lenses without a prescription.
That doesn’t stop a lot of vendors from trying. Consumer watchdog The Counterfeit Report has posted two examples of Halloween contact lenses for sale at Amazon and eBay. The lenses cost as little as $5.99.
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on Thursday issued its annual warning to consumers against buying cosmetic contact lenses without a prescription. The agency notes that contacts that don’t fit correctly “can have serious consequences, including conjunctivitis (pink eye), scratches and sores on the cornea. Even blindness.”
The Counterfeit Report cites Homeland Security Investigations special agent in charge Tim Meadows who warns that the cosmetic lenses are “made in China and contain bacteria and can be contaminated with lead and other toxins.”
While Amazon, eBay and Alibaba have rules limiting the sale of contact lenses to pre-authorized sellers, none apparently has taken on the responsibility for shutting down vendors who flout the rules and sell what are called cosmetic or fashion or Halloween lenses but that are in fact fake contact lenses.
Selling fake items, according to The Counterfeit Report, can lead to a charge of trafficking in counterfeit goods and trademark piracy and carry federal prison terms of up to 10 years upon conviction for each violation.
24/7 Wall St. has ranked how obsessed each state is with Halloween. Also check out the list of the 10 most counterfeited products in America.
It’s Your Money, Your Future—Own It (sponsor)
Are you ahead, or behind on retirement? For families with more than $500,000 saved for retirement, finding a financial advisor who puts your interest first can be the difference, and today it’s easier than ever. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three fiduciary financial advisors who serve your area in minutes. Each advisor has been carefully vetted and must act in your best interests. Start your search now.
If you’ve saved and built a substantial nest egg for you and your family, don’t delay; get started right here and help your retirement dreams become a retirement reality.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Latest from 24/7
Our expert who first called NVIDIA in 2009 is predicting 2025 will see a historic AI breakthrough.
You can follow him investing $500,000 of his own money on our top AI stocks for free.