Halloween is right around the corner, and many of us are excited to dress up in unique costumes. If you’re looking to take your costume to the next level this year, you might be considering costume contact lenses. While they can be a great addition to your look, it’s essential to understand the risks involved.
In this blog, we’ll share the risks of wearing costume contact lenses and tips to help you keep your eyes safe and healthy this Halloween!
What are costume contact lenses?
Costume contact lenses, also known as colored or decorative contact lenses, are specially designed lenses that change the appearance of your eyes. They can transform your eyes into cat’s eyes or snake eyes or make you look like your favorite cartoon or anime character. People often use these lenses for costume parties, cosplay events, or even just to enhance or change their natural eye color.
Protecting your eyes
Costume contact lenses can be worn safely if you take the proper precautions and see an eye doctor first. Contact lenses are classified as medical devices and are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). That means all contact lenses, including costume contacts, require a valid prescription. Unfortunately, some stores illegally sell cosmetic contact lenses without a prescription, posing potential risks for those unaware of the dangers.
Safety tips
To keep your eyes safe when wearing costume contact lenses, here are a few tips you should follow:
- Schedule an eye exam: Before wearing costume contact lenses, make sure to schedule an eye exam to get a prescription.
- Be careful when buying costume contact lenses: Never buy contact lenses from a novelty or Halloween store, flea market, beauty supply store, or anywhere that doesn’t require a prescription. Only purchase costume contact lenses from your eye doctor or from a retailer who asks for a prescription.
- Proper lens care: Make sure to always follow the cleaning and disinfection instructions provided by your eye care professional. Also, never share your lenses with others to minimize the chance of getting eye infections.
- Limit wearing time: You should never wear your contact lenses for longer than the recommended time frame. Wearing your contacts for too long increases your risk of infection and other complications.
- Keep an eye out for any signs of discomfort: If you notice redness, swelling, pain, discharge, or discomfort while wearing costume contact lenses, take out the lenses and seek immediate medical attention.
Costume contact lenses can be a fun addition to your Halloween ensemble, but it’s important to protect your eyes from damage. Wearing these lenses without a valid prescription can result in serious eye damage. Make sure to obtain a prescription, purchase from trusted sources, and take proper care of your lenses. By following these tips, you can have a safe and fun Halloween while wearing costume contact lenses!
If you’re thinking about wearing costume contacts this Halloween, schedule an eye exam with us today to get a prescription before you buy colored contacts!