Dressing Up for Halloween? Here’s What You Should Know About Novelty Contact Lenses

The spooky season is upon us, and it’s time to put those Halloween costumes together. If you’re dressing up as a vampire, a zombie, or a creepy skull, you’re probably in the market for colored contact lenses to enhance your look. But before you add those bloody red contacts to your cart, make sure they don’t look real scary later.

Fancy contact lenses can be an extreme risk, leading to severe irritation or discomfort, eye infections and sometimes even vision loss or blindness, experts warn. To avoid these risks, there are a few things to keep in mind when buying fancy contact lenses.

Keep an eye out

Halloween costumes are worn once a year, so people usually don’t splurge on those fancy fits. Even if your clothes are cheap (I’m not judging), make sure those contacts aren’t.

As Halloween approaches, fancy contact lenses are sold all over the Internet and in costume stores. However, it is best to buy contact lenses from a reputable store that is more likely to be cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

If you can’t buy contact lenses from your eye doctor, find a reliable online retailer that requires a prescription. previous Study Over-the-counter cosmetic lenses have been found to contain chlorine and other harmful chemicals used for tint or color, which can cause infections. These infections can sometimes lead to more serious problems like vision impairment, cataracts and secondary glaucoma.

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, researchers also warn that the pigment used in novelty contacts creates an uneven texture, which can scratch your eyes and increase the risk of infections that can lead to blindness. Also, because contact lenses are not attached to your eyes, they can cause scarring, corneal abrasions, and ulcers.

If you are using contact lenses for the first time, do not store them in water but in a clean case filled with a special solution for disinfection. You should not store them for an extended period of time, and make sure you clean the case periodically.

This is easy Guide How to wear contacts safely. With all of this in mind, make sure the scares you get on Halloween come from scary costumes and not your eye protection.