Halloween is around the corner, and it’s the perfect time to remind patients about the importance of vision safety, especially since many party goers and trick or treaters will be opting to wear contact lenses to round out their costumes. While the month is well known for the spooky holiday, October is also contact lens safety awareness month, which gives ECPs a perfect opportunity to educate their patients about the dangers of wearing costume contact lenses without a prescription. To ensure patients' eyes are protected, ECPs and government agencies are stepping up their education efforts and resources, so patients can fully understand the dangers of using decorative contact lenses.

The Federal Trade Commission warns that it is illegal to sell cosmetic lenses without getting or verifying a prescription. Additionally, sellers must ask for a copy of the buyer’s prescription or check the prescription information for accuracy. The agency also warns that contact lenses, including cat eyes or lenses that change your eye color, can harm the eyes if they are not properly fitted. A prescriber needs to examine the overall eye health of the wearer and give a proper contact lens fitting before the consumer can wear cosmetic lenses. However, many retail outlets sell unregulated cosmetic lenses each year, and unlicensed vendors are banned from selling them.

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), poorly fitted or unregulated contact lenses, like those sold for Halloween, can pose risks to eye health if not properly dispensed, and may result in infections and corneal abrasions to the eyes. Data on the risks of using costume contact lenses shows that eye infections are among the most common types of problems from decorative contact lenses. The AAO warns that bacteria are in about 60 percent of colored contacts purchased online without a prescription. Further, the organization cautions, chemicals used in unregulated contact lenses can be toxic.

 
“You can’t be sure what you’re getting when you buy over-the-counter contact lenses, which can be very dangerous to your eyes,” said ophthalmologist Thomas Steinemann, MD, a spokesperson for the AAO. “If you want decorative contact lenses, get a prescription or steer clear of them. It’s not worth the risk to your vision.”

At Prevent Blindness, Halloween safety is an important part of the eyecare awareness calendar. Jeff Todd, president of Prevent Blindness, noted that there are a few simple steps people can take to avoid eye injury at Halloween.

“First, we should all avoid costumes with masks, wigs, floppy hats, or eye patches that block vision,” he told VMAIL Weekend. “Other tips for eye safety on Halloween are to never use or purchase pointed props such as spears, swords or wands. And, make sure your lawn, steps, porch and front door are well-lit and free from obstacles and tripping hazards.”

Regarding makeup and face paint, he believes it is safer to wear hypoallergenic makeup to lessen the risk of irritating the eyes. He noted adults should apply the makeup and remove it with cold cream or eye makeup remover instead of soap. Todd said it is also critical to follow all product guidelines about application and removal. To avoid direct eye irritation, he recommends that false eyelashes should only be applied and removed according to the manufacturer’s instructions on the product's package. Additionally, to avoid eye infections, he recommends that cosmetics should never be shared, especially eye cosmetics. Todd said that patients often don’t understand the risks associated with costume contact lenses.


“Many people may not know that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates all contact lenses as prescription medical devices. That’s because contact lenses that are old or that do not fit well can scratch the eye, cause corneal ulcers and increase the risk of bacterial infections,” he said, adding that serious eye infections can occur without proper cleaning, disinfecting and storing of contact lenses. “That’s why it’s so important to make sure you receive a prescription from an eye doctor before purchasing contact lenses, whether they are for vision correction or for cosmetic use.”

Todd believes that education is an important part of preventing eye injury at Halloween. To ensure people are fully aware of the risks, Prevent Blindness has put together resources for eyecare providers and their patients.

“We have lots of great Halloween and contact lens safety social media graphics on our website that we encourage ECPs to download and share on their social media channels,” he said. “We also offer a dedicated webpage and free fact sheets that can be downloaded, printed and shared with patients.”

To ensure you are wearing a safe and approved pair of costume Halloween contact lenses, the AAO recommends taking these precautions:

  • Get an eye exam from a licensed eyecare professional. They will measure each eye and talk to you about proper contact lens care.

  • Get a valid prescription that includes the brand name, lens measurements and expiration date.

  • Buy colored contacts from a retailer who asks for a prescription.

  • Follow the contact lens care directions for cleaning, disinfecting and wearing the lenses.

  • Never share contact lenses with another person.

  • Get follow-up exams as directed by your eyecare provider.
Patients who experience discomfort should consult with an eyecare professional. Additionally, the AAO invites wearers who suspect they have been sold illegal contact lenses to contact their local FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator by clicking here.