If the eyes are the windows to the soul, the über-creepy eyes of the undead are the portals to the fright of an amazing Halloween costume!
We’re talking, of course, about the deliciously spooky eyes so many Halloween revelers achieve with novelty contacts. The slit pupils of a cat. A werewolf’s glowing yellow irises. Pale, milky-blue zombie eyes… Yikes! What’s scarier than that?
Plenty. Novelty Halloween contact lenses are easy to find and buy without an eye doctor’s prescription, and we find that chilling. Putting anything into your eye that isn’t doctor-approved can be dangerous! Here are just a few of the blood-curdling risks non-prescription contacts can cause to your precious eyes:
1. Corneal abrasions. Creepy novelty contact lenses (specifically non-prescription contacts) are not fitted to your eyes. For this reason, the lens may be too tight or too loose, either of which could result in scratches to the cornea. This poor fit could also mean the action of putting them in or taking them out – or even the contacts themselves – could lead to eye injuries.
2. Infection. There is no guarantee quality control will be up to snuff with unapproved novelty lenses. That means you run the risk of getting a product that isn’t sterile, a huge risk for conjunctivitis.
3. Edema. A buildup of fluid in the cornea can result from either infection or injury, and it can be quite painful.
4. Allergic reactions. Allergies to non-prescription novelty contacts can also cause corneal edema, or abrasions when the itching and irritation cause you to rub your eyes.
5. Reduced vision. Unprescribed contacts made to drastically alter the color of your eyes or the shape of your pupils weren’t designed for vision correction. The color can block the light entering your eye, reduce contrast sensitivity or distort vision.
6. Blindness. Losing your eyesight is a worst-case scenario that is simply not worth the risk just for a night in costume.
If you’re not sure you can pull off “the look” without spooky contacts, consider this advice:
- Get a prescription. Yes, you can get an optometrist/ophthalmologist prescription for novelty lenses! It requires planning and forethought, but it can be done – and it’s better to do safely than to roll the dice with your eyesight.
- Purchase from an authorized retailer. Your optometrist can point you in the right direction so you can buy from a reputable source.
- Practice your makeup. If there’s no time to order prescription lenses, compensate by perfecting your Halloween makeup. Smart makeup application can trick the eye (theirs, not yours), so you can have the creepy peepers without the risk.
Give your eyes, your health and your safety the highest priority this Halloween, and you’re sure to have a howling-good time no matter what!Matossian Eye Associates offers thorough eye examinations and vision correction from surgical correction to prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses. Schedule an appointment with an eye doctor at your convenience by calling us at (800) 708-8800 or through the website at MatossianEye.com.
