Fancy dress and Halloween contact lenses
Fancy dress and Halloween contact lenses
Around the Halloween season, we know that many people will be looking for quick, easy, cheap contact lenses.
Around the Halloween season, coloured, patterned or novelty contacts are a popular and effective way of creating a dramatic look.
While we’d never want to rain on your parade, there are a few things you should be cautious of when buying coloured contacts online. Sometimes the finishing touch to your zombie bride ensemble is just not worth it.
Especially if it’s just for a one-time event, we know that many people will be looking for quick, easy, cheap contact lenses. These lenses are becoming more and more popular, and readily available to buy online. While we’d never want to rain on your parade, there are a few things you should be cautious of when buying coloured contacts online. Sometimes the finishing touch to your zombie bride ensemble is just not worth it.
Do I need a prescription?
All coloured contact lenses supplied within the UK, including non-prescription lenses, are now classed as medical devices, and should only be supplied or supervised by a registered optician.
“An eye care professional will ensure that contact lenses fit properly and that wearers receive expert advice on how to wear and store them safely.”
Brian Tompkins, President of the British Contact Lens Association.
Will coloured contacts damage
my eyes?
If bought from a trusted retailer and properly prescribed, worn and cared for, coloured contact lenses can be perfectly safe.
But any type of contact lens – no matter where they’re from – that haven’t that hasn't been properly fitted can cause serious damage, including things like:
- Decreased, or blurry vision
- Redness
- Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
- Infection
- Allergic reaction
- Scratches on the cornea
- Corneal swelling
- Eye ulcers
- Eye pain
- Blindness, in extreme cases
Tips for safe wearing
We would strongly advise against wearing cheap contact lenses from the Internet and without a proper prescription, especially if you have never worn contacts before. But if you have, here are some things you can do to ensure your eyes stay safe and healthy.
Do
- Take them out immediately if they feel uncomfortable at any point.
- Make sure you understand how to clean and handle the lenses, as well as other recommended instructions.
- Look out for ‘CE’ marking on packaging. This indicates the lenses conform to health, safety and environmental protection standards.
- Come in and see us if you’re worried at any time.
Don't
- Share your lenses with other people, as this can cause infections.
- Wear them for extended periods of time.
- Wear them over your normal contact lenses.
- Wear a torn or damaged lens.
Even if you only wear them once, it’s important that you still follow the same cleaning routines as normal contactsthat you would with normal contacts to reduce any chance of infection or damage. Have a look at our handy ‘how to’ videos for how best to handle and take care of lenses.
If you have any further questions, or you’re worried at any point, just come into store to see us. We’ll be happy to give you advice.