Costume contact lenses sold without a prescription may cause permanent eye damage, including blindness
Tallahassee, Fla. – October 23, 2024 – If your Halloween plans include scary eyes, beware of costume contact lenses labeled “one size fits all” or “no need to see an eye doctor.” Costume lenses must be prescribed and fitted by an eye care professional, just like regular contact lenses. Otherwise, you may be haunted by an eye infection long after the fun of Halloween is over. The American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Florida Society of Ophthalmology (FSO) urge the public to only buy decorative contacts from retailers who require a prescription and sell FDA-approved products.
“Costume contact lenses may seem like the perfect, easy way to complete your spooky look. But the consequences of using costume lenses are much scarier than the zombie eye you may have been going for,” said Dianna Seldomridge, MD, clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Contact lenses that are not fitted for your eye can scratch the cornea, making the eye more vulnerable to infection-causing bacteria and viruses. Sometimes the scarring from an infection is so bad, a corneal transplant is required to restore vision. In the most extreme cases, an infection can lead to blindness.
“There is no such thing as a ‘one-size-fits-all’ contact lense. Your eyes are as unique as you are so it is critical that you have a prescription for costume or colored contact lenses that were fitted for you,” said Ahad Mahootchi, MD, and FSO Vice President of Outreach.
Keep these ophthalmologist-approved tips in mind to avoid the horrors of an eye infection this Halloween:
- Buy only FDA-approved products. The safest places to buy fitted eyewear is directly from eye care professionals or from retailers that require a prescription for FDA-approved lenses.
- Never share contacts or cosmetics. Sharing contacts or eye makeup can spread germs and bacteria, potentially causing infection such as pink eye.
- Practice good hygiene. It is important to follow directions for safely cleaning, disinfecting, and wearing costume contacts. Ask your eye care professional for tips on how to care for your lenses.
- Limit wear of colored contact lenses to four or five hours. The dye and less expensive materials used in costume lenses can restrict oxygen flow to the cornea. Less “breathable” lenses are less healthy for the eye. Never sleep in contact lenses, even if you have a prescription.
- Don’t take risks with eyelash extensions. Go to an experienced aesthetician and make sure proper hygiene is practiced. Don’t forget to test for lash-glue allergies.
Seek medical attention immediately if you notice any swelling, redness, pain or discharge from the eye when using eye makeup or contacts.
For more information about eye health, visit the Academy’s EyeSmart website.
About the Florida Society of Ophthalmology
The Florida Society of Ophthalmology (FSO) is a nonprofit medical society focused on protecting the medical specialty of ophthalmology. The FSO represents more than 500 physician members in the state and provides continuing medical education for physicians and other healthcare professionals to advance patient care in the realm of ophthalmology.
About the American Academy of Ophthalmology
The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the world’s largest association of eye physicians and surgeons. A global community of 32,000 medical doctors, we protect sight and empower lives by setting the standards for ophthalmic education and advocating for our patients and the public. We innovate and support research to advance our profession and to ensure the delivery of the highest-quality eye care. Our EyeSmart® program provides the public with the most trusted information about eye health. For more information, visit aao.org.
Some Seniors May Be Eligible for a Free Eye Exam
For individuals age 65 or older who are concerned about their risk of eye disease, you may be eligible for a medical eye exam, often at no out-of-pocket cost, through the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s EyeCare America® program. This public service program matches volunteer ophthalmologists with eligible patients in need of eye care across the United States. To see if you or a loved one qualifies, visit EyeCare America to determine your eligibility. EyeCare America is co-sponsored by the Knights Templar Eye Foundation Inc., with additional support provided by Alcon and Regeneron.
