Eyecare experts are cautioning Hallowe’en party goers against wearing coloured contact lenses with their costumes.
Many Brits favour the contacts for their spooky costumes but yesterday experts at Optical Express told of the serious risks associated with wearing non prescription lenses.
The company’s clinical services director, Stephen Hannan, explained that improperly fitted contact lenses can cause infections, corneal damage or even permanent vision loss – making Halloween far scarier than expected.
He said while decorative contact lenses may seem like a harmless way to finish off your Halloween look, wearing unregulated, or ill-fitting lenses, can cause serious, long-term damage to your eyes.
Because they are sold on-line or in fancy dress shops without proper medical approval they bypass essential safety regulations.
Hannan said: “Wearing contact lenses that haven’t been prescribed by a qualified eye care professional can be incredibly dangerous.
“Poorly fitted lenses can cause a number of issues such as restricting oxygen flow to the cornea and can cause irritation or infection, potentially leading to severe outcomes such as corneal ulcers or vision impairment.
“Many of the risks stem from the fact that these lenses are often made from materials not intended for contact with the eye.
“Additionally, people who don’t regularly wear lenses may not be aware of the handling or hygiene practices required to avoid complications.
“Some of the common complications that are linked to costume lenses include allergic reactions from lenses containing dye, corneal abrasions from poorly fitted lenses and reduced vision.”
To avoid these risks, Optical Express are strongly advising against purchasing non-prescription coloured contact lenses from unregulated sources and instead recommends visiting a qualified optometrist to obtain lenses suited to your own eyes.
Hannan added: “Halloween should be fun and exciting but it’s crucial to protect your eyes while enjoying the festivities.
“Just one night of using unsuitable lenses could result in lasting lifelong damage to your vision.”