If your Halloween plans include scary eyes, beware of costume contact lenses labeled “one size fits all” or “no need to see an eye doctor.” Costume lenses must be prescribed and fitted by an eye care professional, just like regular contact lenses.
Contact lenses that are not fitted for your eye can scratch the cornea, making the eye more vulnerable to infection. Sometimes the scarring from an infection is so bad, a corneal transplant is required to restore vision. In the most extreme cases, an infection can lead to blindness. Keep these tips in mind to avoid the horrors of an eye infection this Halloween:
- Buy only FDA-approved products – directly from eye care professionals or from retailers that require a prescription for FDA-approved lenses.
- Never share contacts or cosmetics – can spread germs and bacteria, potentially causing infections such as pink eye.
- Practice good hygiene – safely cleaning, disinfecting, and wearing costume contacts.
- Limit wear of colored contact lenses to four or five hours – can restrict oxygen flow to the cornea.
- Don’t take risks with eyelash extensions – go to an experienced aesthetician and make sure proper hygiene is practiced.
Seek medical attention immediately if you notice any swelling, redness, pain or discharge from the eye when using eye makeup or contacts.
For more information about eye health, visit the Academy’s EyeSmart website.