Know the risks of decorative contact lenses

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Jaime Okamura
  • 60th Aerospace Medicine Squadron
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  

Halloween is all about scary: scary costumes, scary decorations, scary pumpkins; but don't let it include a scary eye infection! Each year, people young and old are attracted by the appeal of cosmetic contact lenses; which will change your natural eye color into something scary. Perfect for Halloween, right? They can be, if you follow some basic tips.

 

The first thing to know is that contact lenses, even the scary ones, are not cosmetics or over-the-counter merchandise. They are medical devices regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Stores (street vendors, salons, Halloween stores, convenience stores, etc.) marketing these contact lenses as cosmetics or selling them over-the-counter are breaking the law.

 

Since one size does not fit all, an optometrist or ophthalmologist must properly fit these lenses and provide proper follow up care to avoid the potential for serious eye damage. You can safely buy the lenses from any seller that requires a prescription before allowing you to purchase them, whether online or in person.

 

The possible risks of not getting a proper fit and follow up can include: scratched cornea, eye infection/pink eye, decreased vision and possibly blindness. Failure to properly clean, maintain and follow a wearing schedule can also lead to these problems.

 

How do you know if you are having a problem? You may experience any of the following symptoms: redness, pain in the eye that doesn’t go away after a short while, discharge from the eye and decreased vision. If you notice any of these, please see your optometrist or ophthalmologist. It’s important to know that a contact lens-related eye infection could lead to permanent vision loss, sometimes in less than 24 hours.

 

Here are some “do’s” for this Halloween season to keep your eyes healthy and to prevent any eye problems: get an eye exam (even if you don’t need glasses), get a prescription, follow the recommended wear and care schedule, seek medical attention immediately and remove your contact lens with first symptoms and most of all: have fun and scare your friends and neighbors with those scary eyes. Please don’t let a few days of having the perfect costume outweigh the risk of vision loss!

 

Additional information can be found at: https://www.cdc.gov/contactlenses/decorative-contacts.html