You know those crazy colored contact lenses that people like to sell this time of year – the ones that make your eyeballs look like black spots in your face or cat’s eyes or zombie eyes? Well, they’re supposed to be available only with a prescription, but it seems some Florida stores have been selling them illegally. Today the state Department of Health announced that it issued 47 cease and desist orders to stores around the state (including six stores in Orlando) telling them that by selling these things without a license, they could be slapped with felony-level criminal charges. Ouch.
The list of places slapped on the wrist for selling them include beauty supply stores, wig stores, dollar stores, a “Quick Stop” food market and a Shell gas station. Come on, people. You don’t buy contact lenses – things that you put in your eyes and could fuck up your vision forever if they’re dirty or fitted wrong – at a gas station. Or, for that matter, any establishment that has the words “Quick Stop” or “Dollar Store” in its name. We’d share the nasty images of what these things can do to your eyes, but trust us – they are nasty. Google it.
Press release on the sting, called “Operation Jack-O-Lantern,” below.
TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Health with support from local law enforcement agencies carried out Statewide Operation Jack-O-Lantern October 8th through 11th. The operation to stop potentially dangerous sales of designer, colored contact lenses culminated in 47 cease-and-desist notices served to individuals and establishments practicing health care without a license. Practicing health care without a license is a felony-level criminal offense in many instances. Treatment by an unlicensed provider is dangerous and could result in further injury, disease or even death. Notices were served on the following subjects:
- Elegant Beauty Supplies Orlando
- D&J Beauty Supply Kissimmee
- Dollar Worth Orlando
- Dollar & Up Orlando
- #1 Beauty Supply Store Orlando
- Dollar Store Orlando
- Beauty Exchange Orlando
- Landon Inc. Miami
- Lena Hair & Wigs Miami
- Bijou Hair and Wigs Miami
- 305 Beauty Supply Corp Miami
- H & S Optical Cutler Bay
- Elegant Beauty Supplies Tampa
- Diva Beauty Supply #1 Tampa
- Elegant Beauty Supplies Tampa
- J-Lo Beauty Supply #2 Tampa
- Diamond Beauty Supply Tampa
- Absolutely Fabulous Accessories Port Richey
- L&C Jewelry Wholesale Tampa
- AZIZ Discount Beauty Supply Fort Lauderdale
- Elegant Beauty Supplies Fort Lauderdale
- Beauty Supplies & 99 Stuff Inc. Wilton Manors
- AZIZ Discount Beauty Supply Oakland Park
- Lamia Enterprises Inc. dba Kingston Market Lauderhill
- Bismilla Beauty Supply Oakland Park
- Diamond Girl Beauty Supply Fort Lauderdale
- Diamond Girl #2 Beauty Supply Fort Lauderdale
- Glamour Tress.com Lauderhill
- Quick Stop Food Store Saint Petersburg
- Sunnys Beauty and Fashion Saint Petersburg
- 4th Street Beauty Supply Saint Petersburg
- Discount Beauty Supply Saint Petersburg
- Dash in Dash Out Saint Petersburg
- 6S Boutique Saint Petersburg
- Discount Beauty Supply Orlando
- Abradel Beauty Supply Orlando
- Miami Twice Miami
- Amira Beauty Supply Cutler Bay
- Beauty Outlet Jacksonville
- Sun Beauty Supply (CJ Beauty Supply) Jacksonville
- Golfair Shell Gas Station Jacksonville
- Star Beauty Supply Jacksonville
- Amy Beauty Supply Jacksonville
- 2 U Beauty Supply Jacksonville
- Hit it Beauty Supply Jacksonville
- J. J. Beauty Supply Jacksonville
- Monarch Beauty Supply Jacksonville
The Department’s Division of Medical Quality Assurance (MQA) Unlicensed Activity (ULA) program, under authority of Florida Statute 456.065, protects Florida residents and visitors from the potentially serious consequences of receiving health care services from an unlicensed person. The ULA program investigates all unlicensed health care activity complaints and allegations, and works in conjunction with law enforcement and the state attorney’s offices to prosecute individuals practicing without a license.
The Department has several resources to combat unlicensed activity:
- Consumers are encouraged to use DOH’s website, www.flhealthsource.gov, where they can conveniently view the license information of their health care practitioner.
- Complaints may be filed anonymously by completing and mailing the complaint form on the DOH website, emailing HALTULA@doh.state.fl.us or calling 1-877-HALT-ULA.
The Department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts. During 2014, the Department is recognizing 125 years of public health in Florida with educational opportunities and events. Please visit www.FLHealth125.gov for more information.
Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.floridahealth.gov.
This article appears in Oct 15-21, 2014.