Halloween contacts are also known as decorative lenses. It may change the entire look of your eyes but cannot be used to correct your vision. For the time being, they can change your brown eyes to blue or make your eyes look like a cat or even vampire for the Halloween party. It should be kept in mind that just like corrective lenses, one should have a prescription before buying Halloween lenses. And should not buy it from a street vendor, beauty supply store, or any Halloween store.

Risks of Halloween contacts:

Before buying these contacts, everyone should be well aware of its risks;

• Allergic reactions: itchy and watery red eyes
• Decreased vision
• Infection
• Blindness: whether from a corneal scratch or infection, wearing non-prescription contacts can lead to decreased vision
• Corneal abrasion: a cut or scratch on the top layer of your eyeball
• Pain in the eyes that doesn’t go away after a short time

Do’s and don’ts of Halloween contacts:

Do get an eye exam: A licensed ophthalmologist will examine your eyes to make sure the contact lenses fit properly. The fit of your contact lenses is very important. A wrong fit can cause damage to your eyes. 

Do get a prescription: A prescription for all contact lenses, including decorative lenses is a must. The prescription should include the brand name, correct lens measurements, and expiration date.

Do follow the contact lens care instructions: Follow the instructions for wearing, cleaning, and disinfecting your contact lenses that come with your contact lenses. If you do not receive instructions, ask an eye doctor.

Don’t share your contact lenses with anyone else: All eyes are not the same size and shape and your contact lenses are fitted just for you. So it should be noted that one should not share his/her Halloween lenses with anyone else. Shared contacts can spread germs, causing conditions such as pink eye, etc.

Don’t buy any contact lenses without a prescription: Sometimes wearing contact lenses can damage the top layer of your eyeball (cornea). Even if you aren’t having any problems now, the lenses still could be causing damage to your eyes. Having regular checkups and buying contact lenses with a prescription, will reduce the chances of any undetected damage to the eyes.

Educate yourself and others about the dangers of using Halloween contact lenses. Remove your decorative lenses immediately if you experience any pain, redness, discharge, or swelling.