The Scary Truth About Costume Contact Lenses: What to Know Before Halloween
Halloween is the perfect excuse to transform yourself for a night. Whether you're dressing up as a vampire, zombie, cat, or your favorite character, decorative contact lenses can seem like the perfect finishing touch.
But there's something important to know before completing your costume: costume contact lenses aren't just accessories. They're medical devices.
Decorative contacts may not correct your vision, but they still sit directly on the surface of your eye. Wearing lenses that haven't been properly prescribed, fitted, or cared for can put your eye health, and potentially your vision, at risk.
Costume Contacts Still Require a Prescription
You might see colorful or decorative contacts advertised online, at costume stores, or in beauty shops without a prescription. That doesn't mean they're safe to wear. In the United States, all contact lenses require a valid prescription, including decorative and colored lenses used only to change the appearance of your eyes. An eye care professional doesn't just determine whether you need vision correction. Your eyes also need to be measured so that your contacts fit correctly. Contacts are not one-size-fits-all, and a poorly fitting lens can damage the surface of your eye.
What Can Go Wrong?
Improperly fitted, unprescribed, or incorrectly cared-for decorative contacts can cause more than temporary irritation.
Potential complications include:
Corneal abrasions, or scratches on the surface of the eye
Eye infections
Corneal ulcers
Redness, irritation, and allergic reactions
Decreased vision
In severe cases, permanent vision loss
A contact lens that doesn't fit correctly can scratch the cornea, potentially making the eye more vulnerable to infection.
Be Careful Where You Buy Your Contacts
That inexpensive pair of vampire eyes you found at a Halloween store or online might be tempting, but never purchase contact lenses from a seller that doesn't require a prescription.
The FDA specifically advises against purchasing decorative contacts from sources such as Halloween and novelty stores, beauty supply stores, flea markets, street vendors, or online sellers that don't require a prescription.
Instead, have your eyes examined and purchase lenses from your eye care professional or a reputable seller that requires and verifies your prescription.
Never Share Costume Contacts
Your friend may have the perfect pair of contacts for your costume, but contacts should never be shared. Contact lenses are fitted specifically for the person wearing them. Sharing lenses can also expose your eyes to bacteria and other microorganisms that may lead to infection.
Treat contacts like your toothbrush: they're yours and yours alone!
Wearing Costume Contacts Safely
If decorative contacts are part of your Halloween plans, a few precautions can help protect your eyes:
Get an eye exam and a valid contact lens prescription.
Only purchase lenses from a seller that requires your prescription.
Follow your eye care professional's instructions for wearing and cleaning them.
Wash and dry your hands before handling your contacts.
Never share your lenses with another person.
Don't sleep in your costume contacts unless your eye care professional has specifically instructed you that your lenses are approved for overnight wear.
Remove your contacts if you experience pain, redness, irritation, discharge, or changes in your vision.
If you experience persistent eye pain, redness, discharge, or decreased vision after wearing contacts, remove the lenses and contact an eye care professional promptly.
Keep the Scary Stuff to Your Costume
Costume contacts can create a dramatic Halloween look, but your eye health shouldn't be part of the scare.
Before putting decorative lenses in your eyes, talk with an eye care professional and make sure your lenses are properly prescribed and fitted. A few extra steps can help you enjoy your Halloween look while protecting the vision you'll need long after October 31.
Eye Consultants of Savannah does not offer contact fittings. We just want to let you know how to stay safe this spooky season!
