Cat’s eyes, zombie whites, glowing red irises: costume contact lenses can make a Halloween outfit truly unforgettable. Unfortunately, they can also be unforgettable for the wrong reasons. Every year, eye care professionals see painful infections and injuries caused by decorative lenses bought online or from market stalls and worn without proper advice.
Why costume lenses can be risky
A contact lens is a medical device that sits directly on the cornea, the clear front window of the eye. Even if a lens has no prescription, it still needs to fit correctly and be handled hygienically. Poorly fitting or low-quality lenses can:
- Scratch the cornea, causing pain, redness and light sensitivity.
- Starve the eye of oxygen, particularly with thick, heavily tinted designs.
- Lead to serious infections such as microbial keratitis, which can cause scarring and permanent sight loss in severe cases.
- Restrict your vision, as many opaque designs reduce peripheral or night vision, which is dangerous when out after dark.
What the law says
In the UK, all contact lenses, including zero-powered cosmetic and costume lenses, should only be sold under the supervision of a registered optometrist, dispensing optician or doctor. Lenses sold without this oversight, often through unregulated websites, social media or pop-up stalls, may not meet quality standards and won’t come with the fitting and aftercare your eyes need.
How to wear novelty lenses more safely
- Have the lenses fitted and supplied by a registered professional.
- Never share lenses with friends, not even for a quick photo.
- Wash and dry your hands thoroughly before handling lenses.
- Never use tap water or saliva to clean or store lenses, and never sleep in them.
- Follow the recommended wearing time and remove them before bed.
- Apply make-up after inserting lenses and remove lenses before taking make-up off.
Our guide to contact lens hygiene covers these habits in more detail.
Warning signs after wearing costume lenses
Remove the lenses straight away and seek urgent advice if you notice pain, increasing redness, blurred vision, discharge or sensitivity to light. Don’t wait to see whether it settles, as some eye infections can worsen quickly.
Prefer a subtler change?
If you’d love to change your eye colour for an occasion, or try contact lenses for the first time, our team can advise on safe, properly fitted options. Find out more about our contact lens services.
Enjoy a frightful Halloween without frightening consequences. Book a contact lens consultation at Brian D Suttie Opticians in Chesham.