Novelty contacts can create spine-chilling effects but they can result in SERIOUS eye damage – even if only worn for a short time. Damage like:

  • Eye infections
  • Scratched or scarred cornea
  • Eye pain

Here are a few alarming facts:

  1. There is no FDA regulation that covers novelty contacts sold in Halloween stores, gas stations, flea markets, online, etc. In short, you have no idea what you’re putting on your eyes.
  2. Some contacts have been found to contain chlorine or iron to create tints – ingredients that can be toxic to the eyes.
  3. Decorative lenses may have irregular textures which can scratch or cut your cornea and lead to serious infection.
  4. Circle and anime lenses worn to create a doe-eyed effect may cover too much of your eyes and deprive them of necessary oxygen, causing abnormal blood vessels to grow on your cornea if worn for long periods of time.
  5. Without proper instruction on how to use contacts, you can develop a bacterial infection that leads to a corneal ulcer or ultimately blindness.
  6. Lenses that fit badly may get stuck to your eyes, causing extreme pain and scratches on your eye.

Even though you can buy Halloween lenses just about anywhere, the FDA has made these lenses illegal in the U.S. without a prescription.

Please heed this warning! A few hours of fun may turn into a lifetime of vision problems.

It’s too late to order prescription decorative lenses for this Halloween, but you can plan for next year’s costume in advance by scheduling an eye exam and have prescription lenses properly fitted to be ready for spooky eyes next year.