Newswise — SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Oct. 13, 2020 — Can we safely celebrate Halloween during a pandemic? Like seemingly all questions related to the novel coronavirus, there are no easy answers. As you make costume modifications to protect against coronavirus infection and find creative ways to safely deliver treats to tricksters, don’t forget to follow the advice of the American Academy of Ophthalmology on how to protect your eyes during the ghoulish season: See an eye care professional to get a prescription for costume contact lenses. Packaging that claims “one size fits all” or “no need to see an eye doctor” is false.
Hard to believe, but those cool cat eye contact lenses are medical devices. They must be prescribed and fitted by an eye care professional, just like regular contact lenses. That's because a poorly fitted contact lens can easily scrape the cornea, the outer layer of the eye, making the eye more vulnerable to infection-causing bacteria and viruses. Research shows that people who purchase contacts without a prescription face a 16-fold increased risk of developing an infection.
“As we follow new precautions to keep our families safe in this abnormal year, it’s important not to forget about the normal hazards that can occur during Halloween,” said Dianna Seldomridge, MD, a clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “Whatever you plan, please follow these tips to protect your eyes this Halloween."
- Buy only FDA-approved products. Color contacts or other decorative lenses are sometimes sold at corner shops or online. These retailers are selling contacts illegally; contact lenses must be bought with a doctor’s prescription. Buy contacts only from eye care professionals or retailers that sell FDA-approved lenses requiring a prescription.
- Practice good hygiene. Wash you hands before putting your contacts in or touching the skin around your eye. Cleaning and disinfecting your contact lenses as instructed helps minimize the risk of an eye infection. See an ophthalmologist right away if you notice any swelling, redness, pain or discharge from the eye when using eye makeup or contacts.
- Limit wear of costume contact lenses to four or five hours. The dye used to create a different eye color can restrict oxygen flow to the cornea. If you do decide to use costume contact lenses, make sure you follow instructions correctly. Limit wear to four or five hours at a time and never sleep in contact lenses.
- Never share cosmetics. Neither contact lenses nor eye makeup should be shared. This can spread germs and bacteria, which can cause infections.
- Wear protective eyewear while decorating. If your plans include creating your own haunted house or transforming your car for trunk-or-treating, make sure to wear eye protection.
To learn more ways to keep your eyes healthy, visit the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s EyeSmart® website.
About the American Academy of Ophthalmology
The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the world’s largest association of eye physicians and surgeons. A global community of 32,000 medical doctors, we protect sight and empower lives by setting the standards for ophthalmic education and advocating for our patients and the public. We innovate to advance our profession and to ensure the delivery of the highest-quality eye care. Our EyeSmart® program provides the public with the most trusted information about eye health. For more information, visit aao.org.
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