#White out contacts prescription how to

Non-prescription costume contacts can cut, scratch and infect your eye if they don't fit exactly right. Offer instructions for wear, care and follow-up examsĭo Costume Contacts Have Other Potential Health Risks To Your Eyes?.Visiting an optometrist or ophthalmologist before you buy contact lenses will help because he or she will: Zaknoun said costume contacts can be safe, if you are evaluated by an optometrist to ensure proper fit and comfort. “Allow enough time to visit your optometrist and have the fitting to get them ordered in time.”ĭr. “Be aware of what you are buying and from whom,” advises Michigan City optometrist Laura Zaknoun, OD, who practices at Franciscan Physician Network Coolspring Health Center. The American Academy of Ophthalmology reports that at least 13,500 emergency room cases each year are due to contact lens injuries. Another study found several over-the-counter costume lenses tested positive for chlorine and other harmful chemicals. The Journal of Forensic Sciences found that 60 percent of counterfeit contact lenses were found positive for microbial contamination. You may not know if the contacts were made with the right materials or in clean conditions. What Are The Risks Of Buying Costume Contacts?īuying costume contact lenses without a prescription offers extra risks. Using knock-off contact lenses could be dangerous to your eye health. But it’s illegal to sell any contact lenses without a prescription in the United States.

Whether you want vampire, zombie, “circle eye” or other specialty contacts, keep in mind having these festive Halloween looks requires getting a medical device – contact lenses.īuying costume eye contacts off the shelf or online may seem convenient. If you feel discomfort, redness, eye pain, or blurred vision, call your eye doctor right away.Want decorative contacts for your Halloween or cosplay costume? It takes more than a quick run to the Halloween store.Īvoid the scare of serious eye injury or permanent damage to your eye from costume contacts with a trip to an optometrist or ophthalmologist before you buy. And don’t forget to wash your hands before handling your contact lenses.

#White out contacts prescription how to

Take care to follow your eye doctor’s directions on how to clean, disinfect, store, and wear your colored lenses.

Avoid buying lenses from beauty stores, costume stores, or street sellers. Deal only with vendors that require a prescription. Look for FDA-approved contact lenses from a reputable maker. Follow the same rules whether you wear corrective contact lenses or are interested in noncorrective lenses.īuy your contact lenses from a reputable retailer. Start with a visit to your eye doctor for an exam and a prescription. Some of these chemicals can harm or irritate your eyes. This can also lead to a serious eye infection called keratitis.Ĭontact lens makers use different chemicals to tint color-altering lenses. If bacteria or other microorganisms get trapped underneath your contact lenses, they may cause sores called corneal ulcers. This can also scratch your eye.ĭecorative contacts are thicker, more rigid, and less breathable than regular lenses. The dye and printed pattern can also create an uneven surface on the inner surface of the lenses. This can lead to corneal abrasion and scarring. Ill-fitting lenses can scrape the outer layer of your eye called the cornea. In some cases, decorative contacts can hurt your vision and even cause blindness.ĭespite what the package may say, nonprescription colored contact lenses are not one-size-fits-all. Those lenses can cut, scratch, or infect your eyes. But some online vendors and stores still do. It’s illegal to sell colored contact lenses without a prescription. You can wear colored contact lenses even if your vision doesn’t need correcting. Lenses that fit right lower your risk of eye injury or damage. Then, they write a prescription based on your eye measurements. Prescription colored contact lenses are safe.Īn optometrist or an ophthalmologist will check your eyes to make sure you’re a good candidate for contact lenses. The FDA classifies contact lenses as medical devices. They may harm your eyes if you don’t use them right. Some even reshape your pupils for a cartoon-like effect.īut color-changing contact lenses aren’t toys or accessories. Sometimes called costume or decorative lenses, they give your eyes a different color. Colored contact lenses look like a fun way to change up your look.