Seeing Red

For years I've been concerned that The Man - or The Woman as the case may be - has gone from regulating what I do in my bedroom (which judging by what goes on in my bedroom probably should be regulated ) to regulating what I do in my bathroom. Not content with regulating how I take leave a dump, Congress now wants to regulate my contact lenses.

According to Congressional Quarterly (subscription required I think),

The House is expected to clear a bill Wednesday that would give the Food and Drug Administration the power to regulate non-corrective colored contact lenses as medical devices.

The Senate passed the legislation (S 172), sponsored by Ohio Republican Mike DeWine, on July 29. House passage would send the measure to President Bush for his signature.

Colored lenses, often purchased for cosmetic reasons, are not now subject to federal regulation. Most other contact lenses sold in the United States are cleared as medical devices by the FDA and require a prescription.

Supporters of the bill say that non-corrective contact lenses sold without approval or clearance as medical devices have been linked to ocular ulcers and temporary and permanent vision problems.

They are often used by children for such things as accessories in Halloween costumes. Adults often use them to change or enhance their eye color.