After reading this story about a teen’s experience with costume contact lenses that were purchased without a prescription, I thought it would be a good time to review a few tips to minimize the risk associated with decorative contact lens wear. If this sounds familiar, it might be because you read last year’s post on Halloween contact lenses.
- Get a contact lens exam, fitting, and prescription from a licensed eye doctor. This applies even if the lenses do not correct your vision. A valid prescription specifies the brand of contact lens and the fitting parameters of that lens. Contact lenses are NOT one-size-fits-all.
- Purchase contact lenses from a reputable source that is authorized to sell contact lenses (ie: not beauty shops, flea markets, costume stores, etc). A vendor is required by law to request a current, valid prescription before selling a consumer contact lenses. It is best to purchase your lenses through your eye doctor’s office.
- Follow the contact lens care instructions given to you by your eye doctor.
- Remove lenses and see your optometrist immediately if you notice any eye redness, discharge, pain, or decreased vision. Infections related to contact lens wear can be potentially blinding!
I had a few patients this year request costume contact lenses for Halloween, and I’m sharing their photos below (with permission). I ordered the lenses from a reputable contact lens manufacturer, and the patients came in for a contact lens fitting in order for me to evaluate the lenses on their eyes and discuss proper contact lens care.
(Side note: These lenses obviously reduce your peripheral vision and shouldn’t be worn when driving.)
Great post! We have plenty of blinding medical conditions to deal with — there shouldn't be even 1 more person that loses vision over something this preventable!!