Halloween Safety Tips – Decorative Contact Lenses

11 Oct Halloween Safety Tips – Decorative Contact Lenses

As you plan to wow with your costume this Halloween, don’t forget these important tips regarding decorative contact lens safety. It may just save your vision!

“Beware,” says Dr. Helene Clayton-Jeter, an optometrist and health programs coordinator at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). “Decorative contact lenses can cause serious eye damage if not fitted by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. . . One of the greatest risks from these lenses is the possibility of an infection that could lead to blindness.”

FDA Tips for Safe Use

Below are several tips the campaign uses to reinforce the message that teens and young adults need to use decorative contact lenses safely:

• Get an eye exam from a licensed eye doctor (optometrist or ophthalmologist), even if you think your vision is perfect.
• Get a valid prescription that includes the brand name, lens measurements, and an expiration date. But don’t expect your eye doctor to prescribe anime, or circle, lenses. These bigger-than-normal lenses that give the wearer a wide-eyed, doll-like look have not been approved by FDA.
• Buy the lenses from a seller that requires you to provide a prescription, whether you shop in person or online.
• Follow directions for cleaning, disinfecting, and wearing the lenses, and visit your eye doctor for follow-up eye exams.
• See your eye doctor right away if you have signs of possible eye infection, such as redness, eye pain that doesn’t go away after a short time, or a decrease in vision.

Source: https://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm402704.htm#FDA