Wearing Costume Contacts: What You Need to Know
It is the time of year when parties and events are gearing up for upcoming celebrations. The first one on the list is Halloween when young and old alike dress up in creative costumes to go trick-or-treating or take part in a festive party.
Whatever the activity may be, adding a pair of colorful costume contacts to the outfit adds another level of creativity to the outfit. While you may like the new look the costume contacts provide, there is a downside to wearing fake contact lenses.
Prescription Costume Contacts versus Non-Prescription Costume Contacts
Only contacts, including decorative contact lenses that are cleared or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) should be worn. FDA approved contacts require a verifiable prescription before they can be purchased. Online vendors, licensed eye clinics, mail-order companies, and foreign manufacturers all offer costume contacts that are FDA-approved and require a prescription before they can be sold.
Other venues, such as local flea markets, novelty stores, beauty supply stores, online stores, etc., that sell costume contacts without a prescription are unlawfully selling a product that can be hazardous to your eyes. Non-prescribed contacts are not made to fit specific eye measurements, like prescribed lenses, which leads to eye damage. Also, when buying off-the-shelf costume contacts, there is no guarantee the lenses are sterile, which can lead to an eye infection.
Bottom line, it is never recommended to buy costume contacts from any source other than your eye doctor or an FDA-approved seller that requires a prescription.
Dangers of Costume Contacts
Without a prescription from your eye care doctor for a pair of appropriately fitted contact lenses, you run the risk of seriously damaging your eyes. The risks to your eyes when wearing non-prescribed costume contacts can result in permanent damage and/or require surgery. The risks include the following:
- Corneal abrasion (scratch or cut)
- Blindness
- Allergic reactions
- Impaired or decreased vision
- Infection
Schedule an Appointment
At the end of the day, the only safe contacts are those prescribed at a licensed facility like the Tayani Institute. In business since 2000, you have access to experienced and board-certified ophthalmologists at one of nine state-of-the-art locations. Our facilities incorporate the latest technologies applied by our skilled staff. Call us today to schedule an appointment and let us keep your eyesight the best it can be.