As Halloween approaches, many people will be planning and preparing their Halloween costumes for parties and nights out, which often include cosmetic contact lenses to add to the effect of your costume.

Although cosmetic lenses are widely available from fancy dress shops and other retailers, it is not advised to purchase contact lenses that have not been supplied by a registered practitioner.

What are the risks of wearing cosmetic contact lenses?

There are several risks to wearing cosmetic contact lenses from the materials they are made from, to the damage they can cause to the eye.

• Dyes used in the lenses, depending on the quality of them, can contain toxic heavy metals which can leak into the eye and nervous system.
• Cat eye and black out lenses can reduce your peripheral vision which can affect your mobility and balance.
• The cornea is very fragile and can be easily damaged and scratched by inexperienced users. When the cornea is scratched it is easy for bacteria and viruses to spread.
• Cosmetic contact lens users may not be familiar with insertion and removal techniques or contact lens hygiene which can lead to discomfort and infection.
• As these types of cosmetic lenses aren’t fitted by a clinician, problems can arise such as red eyes, blurry vision, lenses not staying in place and difficulty with removal.

Safety Tips for Cosmetic Lenses

The most important tip is to get contact lenses from a registered clinician and fitted correctly, we would strongly advise against buying any contact lenses online. If you choose to wear contact lenses here are some top safety tips to keep your eyes safe and healthy.

• Take the lenses our immediately if they feel uncomfortable.
• Make sure you understand how to handle the lenses correctly and the correct hygiene process.
• Do not share your lenses with other people and this unhygienic and can lead to infection.
• It is not advised to wear cosmetic contact lenses for long periods of time.
• Do not wear them over your normal contact lenses.
• If your contact lens is torn or damage do not put wear it.

Contact a member of our team today for more information about contact lenses and safe contact lens use.