Halloween costumes just seem to get more and more elaborate every year. One trend, in particular, has been called out by professionals as 100% dangerous — and it’s happening right in front of our kids’ eyes.
I’m talking about Halloween-themed contact lenses. Often the lenses are made with dyes and other chemicals that aren’t even legal in the US. Different kinds of harm can happen to the wearer.
- Cat-eye lenses require heavier coating of more opaque dyes, and that makes them more likely to cause irritation.
- The lenses are all the same shape, so people with astigmatism will be especially uncomfortable in them — and susceptible to scratching their corneas.
- It’s hard to create a sterile environment, and Halloween contact lens producers often fail at it. Thousands of eye infections have been attributed to using freshly opened costume lenses.
- Any gag contact lens can cause blindness. It’s impossible to know by looking at them.
Doctors warn against using the novelty contact lenses for all the reasons above — plus whatever they learned in medical school! Symptoms of a bad reaction to Halloween contact lenses may include sores, trouble blinking, and loss of eyesight.
As uncomfortable and harmful as new costume lenses are, every year’s emergency rooms contend with patients who have tried to use the previous year’s contact lenses. Experts warn that you should never put in any contact that has been out of its original packaging for a year, for science reasons.
When celebrated right, Halloween can teach our kids about creativity and imagination. As parents we need to curate that experience for them, but it’s worth it the social factor and the fun factor.
If you need help getting supplies for Halloween, or a great costume for your company party, contact our Lifestyle Division or contact us.
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