It is illegal to sell contact lenses in Ireland without a valid contact lens prescription, but there are retailers on the internet who sell internationally and can ignore local laws. At Halloween and other special occasions, there may be the temptation to buy a pair of contact lenses to give that costume the finishing touch. At McLeish Optometrists we would book a contact lens teach for at least one hour, (usually longer) to teach a new wearer how to apply and remove their contact lenses, and look after them- to ensure the safety of their eyes. Contact lenses are safe if used correctly, but they are classed as medical devices and therefore the sale and supply is understandably strictly regulated in most European countries and the USA.
I found this on the web, and thought I would post a small part of it because the description and explanations are amusing.
A Dioptre is a unit of optical lens strength, not an indication of the amount of starch in a lens!
Many “Cosmetic” contact lenses on sale are not licenced or approved by the relevant authorities, such as the EMA in Europe, and the FDA of the USA. As such, even with proper care, there is no way to tell if these contact lenses are safe to wear!
The following is a cut and paste from the supplier’s site, all errors and spelling mistakes are theirs.
ST.PATRICKS DAY CONTACT LENSES
The perfect eyelashes for the St.Patrick’s Day
The Celts pattern contact lenses are super cool contact lenses for the Irish holiday.Celebration with your buddies, the St.Patrick’s Day parade and let the mood in the Irish Pub boil over.With the Celtic pattern in the eyes you’re as Ireland to recognize a fan and thus can flow the Guinness.The funny party lenses are a must for the St.Patrick’s Day and All Ireland trailers.
The best you order to the crazy Celts pattern contact lenses our Contact Lense Solution 50 ml with, so that your Ireland does not dry out contact lenses and you can wear them for long.These lenses cover your eyes completely and are suitable for any type of eye.Whether light or dark eyes, these lenses can not shine through it.
Additional information (St.Patricks Day contact lenses):
- Contents: 1 pair of soft contact lenses without diopters (without starch)
- Water content: 38%, ensures a high wearing comfort
- Wearing time: 12 months
- We recommend a maximum wearing time of 8 hoursdaily
- Not suitable for children under 16 years.
- Diameter: 142 mm, radius: 860 mm
- Packaged in sterile glass vials
Warning: Prior to the first use of the contact lenses exactly the instructions for the use of contact lenses should be studied in general.In open questions or the least uncertainty in dealing with the contact lenses of the competent optometrist or ophthalmologist should be consulted in any case.When completely inexperienced customers without prior technical knowledge in handling contact lenses, we recommend the use of contact lenses from! We recommend a maximum wearing time of 8 hoursdaily.
Not suitable for children under 16 years.
