Halloween is the perfect excuse to go all-out with your look. From vampire-red eyes to ghostly whites and dramatic cat-eye effects, Halloween contact lenses can give a costume that final spooky flourish.
But cosmetic lenses are more than a fancy-dress accessory: they sit directly on the surface of your eye, so good contact lens care tips and professional advice matter just as much as they do with everyday lenses.
Are Halloween contact lenses safe for your eyes?
You might wonder, are cosmetic lenses bad for your eyes? The answer depends greatly on how they are supplied, fitted, handled and worn. Even zero-powered cosmetic contact lenses, which do not correct your vision, sit on the cornea.
Lenses that do not fit correctly, or are handled unhygienically, can lead to redness and irritation, corneal scratches, infection, blurred or distorted vision and, in severe cases, damage that could threaten sight.
A professional contact lens assessment can establish whether lenses are suitable for your eyes and give you practical guidance on inserting, removing and caring for them correctly.
What are the UK rules for buying cosmetic contact lenses?
In the UK, zero-powered cosmetic contact lenses can only legally be sold by, or under the supervision of, a registered optometrist, dispensing optician or medical practitioner.
That means it is worth being cautious about lenses bought outside regulated UK supply routes, particularly from costume shops, market stalls, social-media sellers or websites where appropriate professional supervision is absent.
Rather than choosing coloured contact lenses purely because they match your werewolf, witch or zombie look, speak to a registered eye-care professional first.
What Halloween contact lens care tips should you follow?
Once your lenses have been professionally fitted, a little care can help keep the fright factor in your costume rather than your eye health.
Do:
- Wash and thoroughly dry your hands before touching your lenses.
- Follow the wear time advised by your eye-care professional and lens manufacturer.
- Use the recommended contact lens solution for reusable lenses.
- Check expiry dates and replacement schedules.
- Insert lenses before applying eye make-up where appropriate.
- Remove lenses straight away if your eye becomes painful, unusually red or uncomfortable.
Don’t:
- Never share lenses with anyone, even for a quick photo.
- Never rinse, clean or store lenses in tap water.
- Never lick a lens to wet it.
- Don’t sleep in Halloween lenses unless they have specifically been prescribed for overnight wear.
- Don’t wear damaged, dirty or expired lenses.
- Don’t keep wearing a lens if it causes pain or changes your vision.
Water and contact lenses are also a bad combination. Avoid wearing lenses in the shower, swimming pool or hot tub, as well as exposing them to tap water.
When should you take Halloween contact lenses out?
If something does not feel right, don’t try to power through until the end of the party. Remove your lenses if you experience pain, persistent redness, light sensitivity, excessive watering, discharge, blurred or reduced vision, or increasing discomfort.
If symptoms develop, seek prompt advice from an optometrist or other appropriate healthcare professional.
Quick Halloween contact lens FAQs
Can you buy Halloween contact lenses without a prescription in the UK?
Zero-powered lenses do not correct vision, but their sale is still controlled. They must be sold by or under the supervision of an appropriately registered professional.
Can you share Halloween contact lenses?
No. Sharing can transfer microorganisms between wearers and increase the risk of infection.
Can you sleep in cosmetic lenses?
Not unless your eye-care professional has specifically advised that your particular lenses are suitable for overnight wear.
Can you use water to clean contact lenses?
No. Keep lenses away from tap, shower, swimming pool and hot-tub water.
Ready for a spooky transformation?
Planning a Halloween look to remember? Make eye health part of your preparation too. Speak to a registered eye-care professional before wearing cosmetic lenses and make sure you know exactly how to insert, remove and care for them.
Request an appointment with The Optical Studio at one of our practices in Pimlico, Haslemere, Dorking, Farnham, Virginia Water or Godalming.
