Halloween is this week, and the temptation of transforming into your favourite character, complete with a dramatic change in your eye colour, can be hard to resist when everyone is dressing up. Costume contact lenses are a popular accessory for creating that eerie, eye-catching look, but they also come with significant risks. While we encourage dressing up and getting in the spirit of Halloween, we also want to warn our patients about these seemingly harmless accessories. Many eye care professionals, including us, strongly advise against using costume lenses unless they’re prescribed or recommended by a licensed optometrist. The reasons go beyond simple discomfort; these lenses can harm your eyes in ways that might surprise you. So before you reach for those red, green, or white lenses, it’s important to understand the potential dangers they pose and what alternatives may be safer.
Why Costume Contacts Can Be Harmful
Costume contact lenses may look harmless and fun, but they can be damaging for several reasons. First, they’re often sold in places that are not legally authorised to dispense contact lenses, such as costume shops or online retailers. Unlike prescription lenses, which must adhere to strict medical and manufacturing standards, many decorative lenses are manufactured without medical-grade materials. This can result in uneven lens surfaces, poor oxygen flow to the eye, and lenses that don’t conform well to the unique shape of each eye.
Poorly fitted contact lenses can scratch the cornea, the clear front surface of your eye, and create small cuts or abrasions that increase the risk of infection. In addition to discomfort and blurred vision, these small injuries can lead to serious infections if bacteria or contaminants are introduced to the eye. Infections from costume lenses can sometimes be resistant to treatment and can even lead to vision loss in severe cases.
Risks of Infection and Eye Complications
One of the most serious risks associated with costume contact lenses is infection. Because costume lenses are often sold without a prescription, people may not know how to properly clean and care for them. This lack of proper hygiene, combined with the lower-quality materials used in many costume lenses, significantly increases the risk of developing an eye infection. Common eye infections associated with contact lens use include keratitis, a painful and potentially vision-threatening inflammation of the cornea.
Costume lenses can also reduce oxygen supply to the eyes. Unlike regular contact lenses, which are designed with materials that allow oxygen to pass through to your cornea, many costume lenses restrict oxygen flow. When your eyes don’t get enough oxygen, you may experience symptoms like dryness, redness, and irritation. Prolonged oxygen deprivation can even lead to more serious issues, such as corneal swelling and, in extreme cases, corneal ulcers.
Is There a Safe Way to Wear Costume Lenses?
Some people wonder, if regular contact lenses are safe, why can’t they buy costume lenses and wear them occasionally? The answer is that the safety of contact lenses comes down to both the quality of the lens and the fit. As mentioned above, eye care professionals who prescribe contact lenses measure your eyes to ensure that the lenses fit correctly. A poorly fitting lens can cause discomfort and lead to complications like corneal damage, even if the lens itself is made from high-quality materials. By getting costume lens recommendations from a licensed optometrist, you ensure that you are recommended a trusted contact lens manufacturer, and the lenses fit correctly and are made of breathable, medical-grade materials.
There are costume lenses that are held to the same high standards as regular contact lenses, which means they’re more comfortable, easier to care for, and safer to wear, but these are also harder to find if you aren’t aware of what brands are to be trusted. A licensed optometrist can also provide guidance on how long you can safely wear these lenses and teach you proper hygiene practices. This drastically reduces the risk of complications compared to non-prescription costume lenses.
Alternatives to Costume Contacts
If you’re determined to achieve a spooky or dramatic look without putting your eyes at unnecessary risk, there are safe alternatives to consider. Specialized Halloween makeup can create a similar effect to costume lenses without the risk. High-quality Halloween eye makeup products are widely available and can be used to create unique, vibrant eye looks. There are plenty of costume ideas that can be executed well, without compromising your eye health.
For those set on wearing contact lenses, consult an eye care professional who can help you find optometrist-approved costume lenses. Even if it’s for one night, it’s worth ensuring that your lenses are safe, clean, and properly fitted.
Protect Your Vision This Halloween
The eyes are delicate, and even a minor infection or injury can lead to long-term consequences. Costume contact lenses might seem like a small part of your Halloween costume, but they carry significant risks if not used correctly. Rather than taking unnecessary chances with your vision, consider opting for prescription decorative lenses or using alternative makeup options to complete your look.
If you feel like your eyes got itchy or inflamed after wearing costume lenses or Halloween eye makeup, please book an appointment for an eye exam. We care about your eye health, and when it comes to your vision, it is definitely better to be safe than sorry!
Please do not hesitate to contact us by phone (905-689-7234), email ([email protected]) or book an appointment online.
