Scary Side Effects of Halloween Contact Lenses

While many kids play it safe on Halloween, it is becoming increasingly popular to don elaborate costumes, including decorative contact lenses – ones that give you a “cat eye” or “white out” for example. The American Academy of Ophthalmology warns parents and teenagers about the dangers of wearing non-prescription decorative contact lenses, which can lead to eye damage or vision loss due to improper fitting.

To keep your child’s eyes safe:

· Kids should receive a complete eye exam yearly by an eye care professional and obtain a valid contact lens prescription, even for cosmetic lenses

· Decorative lenses should never be worn without an eye exam and a prescription

· Contact lenses should never be shared with another person

· Be sure to wash hands thoroughly with mild soup before insertion and never wear them for longer than recommended

· Examine lenses before putting them in your eye – they should be moist, clean, clear and free from any nicks or tears

· Remove lenses immediately if you experience eye discomfort, excessive tearing, vision changes and redness and consult your eye care professional immediately

For additional information on safe wear & care of contact lenses, you can visit:

· http://www.blogtalkradio.com/healthyvision - a new podcast focused on safe wear & care of contact lenses

· http://www.acuvue.com/sites/default/files/content/us/pdf/CC12535_SafeWearandcareofCLS_FINAL.pdf – an informative guide on contact lens “dos and don’ts”

I received no product or compensation for this post.  Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services.  Your opinions and results may differ.