…if you decide to put on colored lenses as part of your costume that weren’t prescribed for you by a licensed eye doctor.

Contact lenses are a medical device, similar to prescription medications, that need to be professionally fitted to your eyes, and there are laws to prescribing them. Wearing lenses that were not prescribed for you can result in damage to your corneas (the windows of your eyes) and diseases like corneal ulcers, that can result in scarring and permanent loss of vision.

Despite these laws, there are vendors who still sell them on the streets, in stores and on the internet. This is a timely topic, considering the time of the year, and the fact that I was at a educational seminar in another city and noticed a sign in the window of the store promoting the sale of tinted contact lenses for Halloween. I went into the store pretending I wanted to buy some, and was offered an array of colors to try on at a very affordable price.

I want to caution you as an eye care specialist to avoid any temptation to wear contact lenses that were not prescribed for you. On that note, even trying on clear lenses that belong to a friend can be potentially harmful.

Below I have reposted an investigative news story about such lenses in which Dr. Consor was interviewd by WB33 news.

Have a wonderful, safe, and fun Halloween!