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Florida Health Officials Warn About Dangers Of Sharing Contact Lenses

Florida Department of Health Youtube Screenshot

Florida health officials are warning about the dangers of sharing contact lenses.

In a YouTube video, the Florida Department of Health warns against sharing contact lenses, especially cosmetic ones. It starts off with one girl with brown eyes asking a friend to borrow her blue lenses, before they go out.

Then, the 30 second PSA ends with a diagram of what could happen when one is shared. Below is part of what's included in the PSA.

“Contact lenses—corrective or cosmetic—should never be shared. This can spread eye infections and increase the risk of corneal ulcers.”

Someone with a corneal ulcer may have eye redness, eye pain, vision loss, or even blindness. Florida Health officials say contact lenses must be fitted to the eye by a licensed optician and should never be purchased without a prescription.

For more news updates, follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter: @SaschaCordner.

Sascha Cordner has more than ten years of public radio experience. It includes working at NPR member station WUFT-FM in Gainesville for several years. She's worked in both radio and TV, serving in various capacities as a reporter, producer and anchor. She's also a graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in telecommunications. She is the recipient of 15 awards from the Associated Press, Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), and Edward R. Murrow. Her award-winning stories include her coverage on the infamous “Dozier School for Boys” and a feature titled "Male Breast Cancer: Lost in the Sea of Pink." Currently, Sascha serves as the host and producer of local and state news content for the afternoon news program "All Things Considered" at WFSU. Sascha primarily covers criminal justice and social services issues. When she's not reporting, Sascha likes catching up on her favorite TV shows, singing and reading. Follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter:@SaschaCordner.