Halloween is upon us and it probably comes as no surprise that this spooky celebration is the one night of the year where people are most likely to dress in costume. Whether you are changing into a wailing witch, a melancholy mummy, a zombie bride or a demon doctor, your costume may potentially put your eyes at risk. To help avoid an eye-related horror, here are our frightfully helpful Halloween eye safety tips.

Careful With Cosmetic Contact Lenses

Cosmetic contact lenses at Halloween are now more popular than ever before and are a great way to transform the appearance of your eyes. However, they should be used with caution. Contact lenses are and always will be a medical device, and this means that they should be prescribed by a licensed professional. It can be tempting to buy cheap colored contacts online, but in doing so you don’t really know where they are from and what they are made of. Improper use of cosmetic contact lenses can and does result in serious eye conditions, including infections, swelling, eye pain, corneal scratches and blurred vision. In some cases, they can even lead to temporary or even permanent vision loss. Make sure you get your cosmetic contacts directly from your eyecare professional.

Don’t Share Your Contact Lenses

If you do get cosmetic contact lenses, remember to handle them as you would any standard lenses – washing your hands before and after placing them, and not going to sleep in them at night. Don’t be tempted to share them with other people either, as you risk spreading harmful microorganisms between you, potentially causing infections and other eye problems.

Choose Your Costume Wisely

You should also keep eye safety at the forefront of your mind when it comes to choosing your costumes this year. Many have head or eye accessories that can potentially block your vision or poke you in the eyes. This can put you at risk of experiencing an accident. Be mindful of your other accessories too – a magic wand or broomstick can be a great addition to your outfit, but in the wrong hands could damage your eyes.

Be Mindful When Using Face Paint Or Make Up

Face paint and make up are great alternatives to masks and face-based accessories, but you must be careful when applying them. Only wear FDA-approved makeup and follow the instructions for application carefully. Try and avoid getting glitter too close to your eyes as this can be abrasive should it get inside, and this could cause scratches that are painful and will take time to heal. Similarly, false eyelashes and other accessories can be very irritating and put you at increased risk of infection. Finally, remember to remove all eye makeup before bed so that you don’t accidentally spread it into your eyes while you sleep.

If you would like more advice on how to keep your eyes safe and healthy this Halloween, don’t hesitate to call (859) 208-2020 to speak to our friendly and knowledgeable eye care team at Eyecare Center Optometrist, PSC.