WASHINGTON – Contact lenses that can change brown eyes to blue, and a host of other colors, would have to be dispensed through eye-care professionals under a bill on its way to President Bush.
The legislation puts cosmetic and novelty contact lenses (search) under the regulating power of the Food and Drug Administration, even in cases when the lenses don't correct for poor vision.
Rep. John Boozman, R-Ark. (search), who was an optometrist before becoming a lawmaker, said the action comes just before a spike in sales that occurs when Halloween shoppers look to add colored contacts to their costumes.
"With Halloween upon us, it is important that we bring attention to the fact that color sharing of contacts lenses can lead to infections, abrasions, allergic reaction or blindness."
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