With Halloween just around the corner, you’re probably already thinking about your costume. You may be considering wearing decorative contact lenses for fun as these accessories can alter your eye’s color or pupil shape, giving you a new look. However, you shouldn’t purchase these contacts from just anywhere—they require a prescription and proper care to minimize the risk of complications.

What Are the Risks of Wearing Decorative Contacts?

If decorative contact lenses are worn without a prescription, they can increase your risk of corneal abrasions, ulcers, and infections. Severe damage may require eye surgery, and if the procedure can’t repair the damage, the eyes may become permanently blind.

How Can You Wear Decorative Contacts Safely?

Get an Exam

Contact lenses, even decorative ones, need a prescription and proper fitting from an eye doctor. During the exam, the doctor will measure your eyes and decide if you’re a candidate for contacts and how long you can safely wear costume lenses. People who experience frequent eye infections, dry eye, or severe allergies may not be candidates for decorative contacts.

Opt for Quality

No matter how cheap they are, you should never buy decorative contact lenses from drugstores or other retailers that don’t require a prescription. Only purchase your contacts from the eye doctor’s office or online with a valid prescription.

Be Hygienic

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before you apply and remove the decorative contacts. Dirty hands can transfer bacteria on the lens and increase your risk of an eye infection.

If you want to wear decorative contacts on Halloween, get quality lenses from the professionals at the Hawaii Vision Clinic in Aiea. This eye care center provides its Oahu clients with a wide range of services, including routine exams and contact lens prescriptions. View their complete list of services online, or call (808) 487-7938 to schedule an appointment.