If you’re a Halloween or general costume fanatic, it can be tempting to try out some of the wild accessories available today to take your costume to the next level.
However, you may want to stick to the fake scars and wigs, as Optometry Australia are warning that non-prescription accessory contact lenses are not a fashion risk worth taking.
Senior optometrist Simon Hanna said: “Don’t mess with your eyes – always seek professional guidance before using contact lenses.
“The surface of the eye is extremely delicate and wearing non-prescribed novelty contact lenses, particularly those from a dubious source, could cause eye damage ranging from mild infections to sight-threatening conditions such as corneal scarring and even blindness,” he said.
The peak optometry body advised that if people want to enhance their Halloween look with fancy dress lenses, it is important to make sure the lenses are prescribed by an optometrist who will measure each eye to properly fit the lenses and evaluate how the eye responds to contact lens wear using a microscope.
“The optometrist will then instruct them on appropriate insertion and removal techniques and correct contact lens care to minimise the risk of irreversible eye damage,” he said.
Suppliers of playfully packaged novelty contact lenses often target unsuspecting teenagers and young adults who are usually unaware of the dangers associated with buying contact lenses without a prescription and of the need for proper eye care.
A recent study also found that cosmetic contact lenses available online often circumvent regulation from safety agencies such as the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and can contain harmful chemicals such as chlorine, which can seep from the colorants in the lens to cause toxicity problems for the eyes.
“If they are hanging in a Halloween display in a shop our simple advice is, leave them there” said Mr Hanna.
To use contact lenses safely, follow these points:
- Have contact lenses properly fitted at an optometrist who will also instruct you on correct insertion, removal and cleaning of lenses.
- Always wash hands before touching contacts and never store or clean contacts with tap water.
- Don’t sleep in contact lenses unless advised it is safe to do so by your optometrist.
- If your eyes become red, sensitive to light, painful, gunky or your vision becomes blurred remove lenses and see an optometrist immediately.
