Halloween Eye Safety: What to Know Before You Celebrate

Halloween is a time for creative costumes, spooky makeup, and plenty of fun. As you get ready for the season, keeping halloween eye safety in mind can help you and your family enjoy the festivities while protecting your eyes.

Some Halloween accessories, especially decorative contact lenses, can pose risks to your eye health when they are not used properly. A few simple precautions can help keep your eyes safe while you enjoy the spooky season.

Be Careful With Costume Contact Lenses

Decorative or costume contact lenses can change the appearance of your eyes and complete a Halloween costume, but they should be treated just like regular contact lenses.

Even if you have perfect vision, costume contacts should be properly prescribed and fitted by an eye care professional. Wearing lenses that do not fit correctly or purchasing lenses from an unreliable source can increase the risk of eye irritation, infection, scratches, and other complications.

If you plan to wear costume contacts this Halloween:

• Have an eye exam and get a prescription from an eye care professional.

• Purchase lenses from a reputable source that requires a prescription.

• Follow all cleaning, storage, and wearing instructions.

• Never share contact lenses with anyone else.

• Remove your contacts if your eyes become red, painful, or irritated.

Use Halloween Makeup With Care

Halloween makeup can be a fun part of your costume, but products used around the eyes should be used carefully.

Avoid getting makeup, glitter, or other loose materials directly into your eyes. Use products intended for use around the eyes, avoid sharing eye makeup, and replace older or expired products.

Keep Halloween Eye Safety in Mind When Choosing Costumes and Props

When putting together your Halloween costume, make sure accessories and props do not create an unnecessary risk to your eyes.

Choose costumes that allow you to see clearly, avoid sharp or pointed objects near the face, and make sure masks or other accessories do not block your vision.

For children, take a moment to check their costumes and accessories before heading out for trick-or-treating.

Have a Safe and Spooky Halloween!

With Halloween approaching, taking a few extra precautions can help you enjoy the festivities while protecting your eyes.

If you experience eye pain, redness, swelling, or changes in your vision after wearing costume contacts or using Halloween makeup, contact your eye care professional.

Have questions about costume contact lenses or your eye health? Call Digby Eye Associates at 336.454.2020 or visit www.digbyeye.com.