FOCAL POINTE BLOG
Spooky season is upon us! It’s time to start thinking about your Halloween costume for all your parties and events. We all want to look the part, so no costume is complete without the right accessories. To complete the look, many Halloween fans take it to the next level by choosing decorative contact lenses to fully embrace their new persona. While costume contacts may look fun, they can pose a serious risk to your eye health and can lead to permanent blindness.
Many costume contact lenses are sold without a prescription, which is ILLEGAL. In a study, the FDA analyzed 300 counterfeit lenses and found that 60% of costume contact lenses purchased online without a prescription were contaminated with harmful bacteria. How SCARY! Of all contact lens wearers, 85% of people wearing contacts had at least one non-hygienic behavior that increased their risk of eye infections. Another study of more than 600 participants performed in Texas found that 25% had used non-prescription contact lenses. 60% of those patients reported irritation, pain, and redness while wearing illegal contact lenses. Alarmingly, 88% of participants reported complications from borrowing someone else’s contact lenses. Eye infections were the most common eye injuries with costume contact lenses.
All contact lenses are medical devices overseen by the FDA to monitor their safety and effectiveness. All contact lenses can pose the risk of permanent, blinding complications such as corneal abrasions, corneal ulcers, and bacterial infections. On top of the normal risk of contact lenses, costume contact lenses use pigments and dyes that reduce the amount of healthy oxygen that reaches the eye. This can lead to more inflammation and increase the risk of complications. Contacts also require proper cleaning and disinfection to keep your eyes safe.
These facts are horror movie-worthy, but not all costume contact lenses are bad. The first step in wearing Halloween contacts safely is to meet with your eye doctor. Your eye doctor will take your measurements and find a prescription that works well for you. They will require the commitment to wear and care for your lenses appropriately, limiting any chance of harming your eyes. Once your eye doctor has determined you can wear contact lenses safely, they can provide resources for FDA-approved contact lenses.
Here at FPEC, we want to ensure your safety in costume contact lenses for all your Halloween fun this season. Our contact lens distributor can supply FDA-approved prescription contact lenses with a variety of colors that will help elevate your costume. If you are considering costume contact lenses, please call our office to consult with our team to determine how we can boost your look without risking your sight.
Have a safe and spooky Halloween season!
Thank you for contacting Focal Pointe Eye Care. A member of our team will review your inquiry and respond to you within one business day.
Contacting us on the weekend? Most inquires receive a response on Monday afternoon.
If your need a faster response, please call us at 513-779-3937 during regular business hours.
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Office Hours:
M: 10:30am-5:00pm
Tu: 9:00am-5:00pm
W: 9:00am-5:00pm
Th: 9:00am-5:00pm
F: 9:00am-3:00pm