The North Platte Telegraph

We've all heard that beauty comes at a price, but how high is too high? Eye specialists are warning against the latest trend to hit the United States-circle contact lenses.

In her "Bad Romance" video, shock queen Lady Gaga is seen sporting a large, doe-eyed look that's reminiscent of a Japanese anime character. Although media reports differ on whether Gaga was actually wearing circle contacts, or whether the effect was digitally created, the fact remains that the look is being copied and could be dangerous.

The effect is created by wearing lenses that extend beyond the iris, or colored part of the eye. Most of the contacts are created in Asia where they don't face Federal Drug Administration regulations. The increased interest in the lenses has prompted the American Optometric Association to issue a statement regarding them. The statement says the AOA is working to inform consumers about the risk of the illegal lenses.

"We found that FDA officials were shocked, as well as dismayed, by how easy these lenses can be obtained and how aggressively adolescents and young adults are targeted," president of the AOA and doctor of optometry Joe Ellis said in the statement.

Complete Eyecare Associates contact lens technician Kelly Travis says the cosmetic contacts are easily accessible on the Internet.

"They range anywhere from $15-$20 per lens, and look like great fun," said Travis. "But, you never really know what type of facility they're manufactured in."

What the websites also aren't showing are the health risks that come from wearing the lenses. Travis said those include ulcers, abrasions, permanent scarring of the cornea and infections that could lead to blindness. Because the lenses cover most of the eye, they also limit oxygen, which is needed to regenerate the cornea.

"Whenever a lens is worn in a way that's different from what's directed by a doctor, you're running a risk for eye infections," she said. "It doesn't matter whether you're wearing them longer than you're supposed to or sleeping in contacts that shouldn't be slept in. In this case, there aren't any specifications for lens sizes."

During a fitting process, doctors measure patients' eyes to determine their base curves and diameters. They also check to make sure the lens is sitting properly on the eyeball.

"The FDA classifies contacts as medical devices," said Travis. "That's why even those purchased over the Internet have to be verified with an eye doctor to make sure the products ordered match up with the prescription."

It's not the first time unregulated contacts have been popular.

"A few years back, people were buying the cat eyes, red-outs and black-outs at boutiques and gift shops," said Travis. "Some people even took clear contacts and tried to tint them with Kool-Aid."

On its website, the FDA says some of the colors used to make cosmetic colored contacts are toxic and could be carcinogenic. It also says that it's difficult to control illegal lenses coming in from outside of the U.S. Any contact lens sold in the U.S. must be cleared by the FDA as "safe and effective" for use.

Makeup artist Michelle Phan demonstrates how to wear circle contacts in a You Tube video. As of Friday morning, the site had been viewed more than 9.8 million times.

"My daughter watches her almost every day," said Travis. "If people want to try tinted contacts, they can do so at a doctor's office, where it can be done safely. It's a little more expensive than purchasing random ones on the Internet, but it's still cheaper than a corneal transplant."

Heather James