Our Maple Ridge Eye Doctor Warns Against Halloween Cosmetic Contact Lenses

Halloween is a creative, fun time for young people and the young at heart, but unfortunately, it’s also a time when you can damage your eyes with cosmetic contacts. Intended to change your eye color or create cat-eye, vampire, monster and zombie effects, these contacts, not prescribed by your Maple Ridge eye doctor or other eye care professional, are not safe to use.

Safer Contact Lenses With Your Maple Ridge Eye Doctor

At this time of year, your Maple Ridge eye doctor urges you to heed this seasonal advice that is crucial to preserving your eyesight. Both kids and adults put themselves in danger around Halloween by purchasing cosmetic contacts from a costume shop locally or buying non-prescription cosmetic lenses online. Warning:

• Decorative or cosmetic contact lenses often have a constricted or small hole for the pupil, which can lead to loss of peripheral vision and increased peripheral vision blur for the wearer. Wearing these outside on a dark night, when it’s already difficult to see, can be an accident waiting to happen.

• Cosmetic, "Halloween contact lenses" have no quality control--and may not be made from safe materials.

• Contact lenses are not one-size-fits-all.

• Cosmetic contact lenses are medical devices and as such, safe contacts require prescription and careful fitting from your eye doctor or optician in Maple Ridge.

Remember, getting contacts from anyone other than a qualified, licensed eye care practitioner is hazardous to your eye health. Halloween lenses, not prescribed by an eye care professional, can permanently harm your eye health. It’s not worth it! A cosmetic colored contact lens, ordered from anyone except your Maple Ridge optometrist or optician, can cause:

• Scratched cornea

• Eye infection, such as pink eye

• Corneal ulcer

• Restricted vision

• Permanent blindness

Cosmetic Contacts by Any Other Name: Still Dangerous

Be skeptical and avoid contacts that are sold by anyone who is not a qualified eye care professional. Cosmetic contacts may also be called:

• Costume contacts

• Vampire lenses

• Theatrical contacts

• Fashion contacts

• Halloween contacts

• Special effect contacts

See Your Eye Doctor to Preserve Your Vision

Your Maple Ridge optometrist will be happy to fit you with contacts if you need them to improve your vision. Optometrist-prescribed contact lenses are convenient, safe--and some types can also change your eye color if you desire. Don't risk your eyesight. If you're interested in properly prescribed colored contacts, talk to your optometrist! Always be sure to visit your eye care professional annually, even if your eyesight seems to be perfect.

Interested in colored contact lenses? Contact Maple Ridge Eye Care today to schedule an appointment and talk to an optometrist!