Halloween Eye Safety: Are Costume Contacts and Eye Makeup Safe?

Are Halloween Contacts Safe or Just Plain Spooky?

Costume contacts, also known as cosmetic or decorative lenses, are designed to change the appearance of your eyes. While they can make your costume more realistic or enticing, they do come with potential risks to your eye health.

Are commonly available costume contacts safe? The short answer is no.

Unlike corrective contact lenses prescribed by optometrists, costume contacts are often purchased online or at novelty stores without a prescription. The people who make non-prescription contact lenses do not consider them medical devices and don’t subject them to the rigorous testing and approval process of prescription contact lenses. However, the FDA does classify costume contacts as medical devices, saying, "All contact lenses must be prescribed by a doctor, including decorative lenses."

If you still want those special colored contacts for your costume, contact your optometrist and purchase accredited colored lenses that will really fit your eye. It will take more time, so order ahead, but safety is worth the extra time and money.

The Different Types of Costume Contacts

Here’s a look at some types of colored contacts and theatrical contacts you might encounter:

• Color-Enhancing: These subtly enhance your eye color with a stronger tint around the iris's edge for a natural look.
• Colored: These cover the iris fully to change your eye color.
• Costume: Most popular around Halloween, these create those dramatic, non-human looks (cat eyes, zombie eyes, etc.). You can also find glow-in-the-dark varieties.
• Scleral lenses: Scleral lenses cover the visible eye (including the sclera) for truly wild special effects.

Where to Get Halloween Contacts

Our licensed optometrists are here to guide new contact users through the process of wearing contacts for the first time, which takes experience and care. Contact Visionworks to consult an experienced eye doctor about any costume lenses you want.

Risks to Consider When Choosing Costume Contacts

How can non-prescription lenses potentially hurt your eyes? There are four main risks of non-prescription costume contacts.

• Scratches: If the contact lens doesn’t fit just right, it can create friction on your eye. That may lead to scratches (corneal abrasions), discomfort, and a high risk of infections.
• Low Oxygen Permeability: Costume contacts tend to be thicker than regular contact lenses. Your eyes will struggle to get the oxygen they need. Wearing costume contacts, especially for extended periods, could damage your cornea and impair your vision.
• Questionable Materials and Dyes: Regulations are easily sidestepped in non-prescription contact sales, so there's no guarantee the dyes and materials are safe for your eyes.
• Increased Infection Risk: A poorly fitting contact lens dramatically amplifies the risk of infection. Bacteria can get trapped under it, and if you don’t clean and handle the lenses properly, serious infections may result.

Here are six tips for safe makeup application to ensure that your cat eye is a fierce statement and not a frightening health scare.

With quality products and safe application methods, your eye makeup can create a scary costume without scary health risks!

Can a Sugar Rush Lead to Scary Eye Damage?

Let's face it—indulging in sweets is part of the fun of Halloween. However, excessive sugary foods and drinks can negatively affect various aspects of our health, including our eyes.

A diet with excessive sugar intake can influence various eye health issues, such as:

• Macular Degeneration: Recent studies have shown that increased sugar intake can lead to a higher risk of macular degeneration, an eye disease that causes retina deterioration and loss of vision.
• Diabetes-Related Eye Damage: Diabetic retinopathy, a complication of diabetes, can lead to vision loss if left untreated. Diabetes can also cause blurry vision and inflammation in eye vessels.

How to Choose an Eye-Friendly Halloween Costume

Have you decided on your Halloween costume yet? When choosing accessories and props, be sure you consider eye safety with these four steps.

1. Choose costumes with masks or accessories that do not obstruct your vision. Clear visibility prevents accidents and reduces strain on your eyes.
2. Think twice about applying eyelash extensions purchased at party and drug stores. These can result in irritation and watery eyes.
3. Avoid pointy or sharp props such as swords, arrows, or spears that could pose a risk to yourself and others.
4. If you need Halloween glasses frames, make sure you use ones your eye doctor deems safe or simply pop the lenses out of the pair you found at a secondhand store. Never use glasses with a prescription that’s not yours or could damage your eyes.

Prioritize Eye Safety with Visionworks

While Halloween is a time for creativity and fun, it's important to prioritize the health and safety of our eyes. Costume contacts should only be obtained with a valid prescription, and proper hygiene practices should always be followed. Additionally, being mindful of the potential risks associated with Halloween eye makeup and maintaining a balanced diet can help protect our eyes during this festive season.

By following these tips and taking the necessary precautions, you can fully enjoy Halloween without compromising your eye health. To keep your eyes healthy, schedule an eye exam at your local Visionworks today!

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