QC Family Focus: October 2014

Decorative Contact Lenses for Halloween?
Glenn Darlington, OD
Do you go all out to create
the best costume and makeup for
Halloween? One popular Halloween
accessory can be a danger to your
eyes. Decorative contact lenses, which
can change the look of your eyes, may
seem like a great way to enhance your
costume, but what many people don’t
realize is that serious eye disorders can
be caused by these lenses.
Although over-the-counter
sales of nonprescription cosmetic lenses have been illegal
in the United States since 2005, decorative contacts are still
widely available in retail stores and on the Internet. Many Web
sites market decorative contacts as if they were cosmetics,
advertising “one size fits all” and “no need to see an eye
specialist”. These lenses, which may not be manufactured to
meet federal health and safety standards, can cause injuries
such as corneal abrasions and ulcers as well as keratitis.
Federal law classifies all contact lenses as medical devices and
restricts their distribution to licensed eye care professionals.
Illegal sale of contact lenses can result in civil penalties of up
to $16,000 per violation.
Don’t risk your vision for a Halloween effect. To
protect your eyes, all contact lenses, including nonprescription
lenses, must be fitted by an eye care professional who
will instruct you on correct use. One more safety tip,
wear well-fitting masks to avoid limited vision and have
a happy and healthy Halloween.
Dr. Darlington joined Eye Surgeons Associates in 1998
and works in the Silvis clinic. His areas of specialty include contact
lenses, low vision consultations and medical co-management.
The material contained in this article is for informational
purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional
medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of
your physician or other qualified health care provider.
34 October 2014 - QC Family Focus