It’s the spookiest time of the year! With Halloween coming up on October 31st, people are starting to make plans for their costumes. Some of the fun, quirky costume elements that people like to integrate into their costumes are colored contacts. These can take a costume to the next level. However, many people are concerned about whether or not these novelty contacts are safe. Doctor Moosa, one of the LASIK experts in Los Angeles is here to answer some common questions about novelty contacts and help people enjoy a fun, safe Halloween.
Will novelty contacts harm my eyes?
If you’ve ever noticed, certain theatrical performances or feature films will often incorporate costume makeup and contacts in order to help someone achieve a certain look. These can actually be quite safe, as long as they are correctly prescribed, cleaned, and maintained. According to Doctor Moosa, one of the best LASIK surgeons in Los Angeles, all contacts that are being sold in stores must be FDA approved, otherwise they are illegal. These contacts can be worn whether or not someone usually wears corrective lenses because they are available with and without prescriptive lens power. Some people can be sensitive to contact lenses and may not react well to wearing them, especially if it is their first time. If you happen to notice any irritation, swelling, or redness when wearing these contacts, then you should immediately take them out and seek medical help.
How should I go about purchasing novelty contacts?
If you are going out to purchase some fun lenses, then LASIK surgeons in Los Angeles recommend buying from an authorized business. If the seller does not ask for a valid prescription, then these contacts will likely be a one-size-fits-all design. When contacts are not fitted correctly, they can cause infections, scratches to the cornea, and affect vision. Avoid buying contacts from unknown sellers.
If you have never worn contacts before, then you should visit an eye doctor for an exam and proper fitting. When you first insert lenses, it may be briefly uncomfortable but the right sized contacts should settle after a little time. Make sure to practice the right cleaning habits and always wash your hands before handling the contacts.
What are some important tips for wearing novelty contacts?
LASIK experts in Los Angeles particularly Doctor Moosa recommend putting contact lenses in before applying any costume makeup. This can help prevent any makeup from getting on the contacts and causing a bacterial infection. In order to decrease the chances of dry eye, you might want to use eye drops or simply blink more frequently to get your eyes adjusted. Never wear novelty contacts for more than 8 hours in a day. If you start to notice discomfort, then you should take them out even earlier. As with normal contact lenses, you should not go swimming or fall asleep with them on.
Typically, novelty contacts have an expiration date and can be used multiple times before that. If you are planning to use them again, then you should make sure that they stay clean and protected. If at any point, they become damaged or incredibly dirty, then you should just dispose of them. You can purchase a multi-purpose contact lens solution at most convenience stores and use this to soak the contacts. Do not use water, saline, eye drops, or saliva to clean the contacts.
