{"id":7194,"date":"2014-11-07T13:49:21","date_gmt":"2014-11-07T21:49:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=7194"},"modified":"2014-11-08T18:36:21","modified_gmt":"2014-11-09T02:36:21","slug":"operation-cat-eyes-nabbed-suspects-involved-illegal-sale-contact-lens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=7194","title":{"rendered":"Operation “Cat Eyes” Nabs 12 Defendants Allegedly Involved with Illegal Sale of Contact Lenses"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"FDA<\/a>LOS ANGELES<\/strong> \u2013 Operation “Cat Eyes,” which targeted the illegal sale of \u00a0contact lenses that pose a risk to eyesight, \u00a0resulted in federal charges against Los Angeles-area retail outlets as well as their owners and managers, the U.S. Justice Department announced Friday.<\/p>\n

The defendants allegedly sold contact lenses without prescriptions \u2013 some of which were contaminated with dangerous pathogens, authorities said.<\/p>\n

Two criminal informations filed Friday morning, as well as four additional informations filed on Tuesday, charge a total of 12 defendants with the illegal sale of decorative and cosmetic contact lenses, officials said.<\/p>\n

The defendants are each facing misdemeanor charges and up to a year in prison and up to a $100,000 in fine.<\/p>\n

All six cases allege that the defendants sold \u201cmisbranded\u201d contact lenses without prescriptions.<\/p>\n

Two of the cases also allege that the defendants sold adulterated contact lenses that were contaminated with bacteria known as bacillus cereus. According to court documents, the bacillus cereus bacterial strain can cause severe infections that, even with prompt treatment, can lead to blindness.<\/p>\n

The cases filed this week are the result of an investigation that was conducted by the \u00a0Food and Drug Administration\u2019s Import Operations Branch of the Los Angeles District Office.<\/p>\n

Operation Cat Eyes targeted retail stores \u2013 some of which were opened specifically for Halloween \u2013 that sold cosmetic and decorative contact lenses without a prescription to unsuspecting consumers in Southern California.<\/p>\n

Contact lenses \u2013 whether corrective, cosmetic or decorative \u2013 are considered to be prescription medical devices subject to FDA regulations. Due to the risk of injury, blindness and possible eye infection, all contact lenses require prescriptions from medical professionals who can provide guidance on the proper care and maintenance of the contact lenses.<\/p>\n

The six cases filed this week in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles charge these defendants:<\/p>\n