Dr. Steinemann went on to say, "The black market contact lenses may not fit properly. They may not come with any instructions on proper cleaning or care. We don't know where the lenses were made, what materials were used to make them or whether or not they're sterile. People sometimes sleep in them for days or months at a time and even share them with others."

Serious problems have been associated with illegally sold costume contact lenses purchased from unlicensed vendors such as gas stations, hair salons and corner stores. In a report published in Eye & Contact Lens, the clinical journal of the Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists, Dr. Steinemann cited six cases where people experienced serious problems ranging from infections to corneal abrasions. One 14-year-old patient was hospitalized and needed a corneal transplant following a serious eye infection.

The Academy offers these tips for buying and wearing any contact lens, including costume contact lenses:

-- Always see an eye care professional, such as an ophthalmologist before purchasing the lenses.
-- Never buy the lenses from anyone but a licensed dispensary.
-- Always follow the instructions for proper care, cleaning and disinfection.
-- Never share your contact lenses with anyone else or wear someone else's contact lenses.
-- Don't sleep with contact lenses in your eyes, unless they are specifically approved by the Food and Drug Administration for overnight wear.
-- Don't swim while wearing your contact lenses.

The Academy is the world's largest association of eye physicians and surgeons -- Eye M.D.s -- with more than 27,000 members. For more information about eye health care, visit the Academy's partner Web site, the Medem Network, at www.medem.com/eyemd. To find an Eye M.D. in your area, visit the Academy's Web site at www.aao.org.