Key TakeawaysNon-prescription colored contact lenses can lead to serious eye infections or damage.Poorly fitting lenses or those made with unsafe materials can block oxygen to the cornea, leading to complications like swelling or inflammation.To safely wear colored contact lenses, consult an eye care professional, follow proper hygiene practices, and only purchase FDA-approved lenses from reputable retailers.

Key Takeaways

Non-prescription colored contact lenses can lead to serious eye infections or damage.Poorly fitting lenses or those made with unsafe materials can block oxygen to the cornea, leading to complications like swelling or inflammation.To safely wear colored contact lenses, consult an eye care professional, follow proper hygiene practices, and only purchase FDA-approved lenses from reputable retailers.

Colored contact lenses might complete your spooky Halloween look, but they could damage your eyes, experts say.

“I advise against non-prescription colored contact lenses for Halloween as I have seen a number of corneal abrasions or scratches resulting from their use,”Miel Sundararajan, MD, an assistant professor of ophthalmology at the University of Washington School of Medicine, told Verywell in an email.

Sundararajan said these cases can progress into more severe infections, some even resulting in blindness.

Should you avoid all non-prescription colored contacts? Here’s what experts say.

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What Are the Risks of Colored Contact Lenses?

Improperly fitting contact lenses may result in corneal abrasions (a scratch or scrape on the surface of your cornea), which may cause pain, redness, and even vision loss. Additionally, “some materials or dyes in these lenses may trigger allergic reactions, causing discomfort and inflammation,” Brissette told Verywell in an email.

She explained that the lenses may also block oxygen from reaching the cornea, potentially leading to complications like swelling orneovascularization, a condition where new blood vessels grow in the cornea.

Even wearing colored contact lenses for a short time increases the risk of complications, so it’s generally not recommended. “When it comes to your eyes and your vision, you want to minimize that risk as much as possible,” Brissette said.

While prescription colored contact lenses may be safer due to their custom fit and professional oversight, they still come with certain risks, according to Sundararajan.

Poor hygiene practices—such as sleeping, swimming, or showering while wearing contact lenses, failing to wash hands, or reusing contact lenses or solution improperly—can result in corneal abrasions or severe infections like corneal ulcers, Sundararajan added.

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How Can You Wear Colored Contact Lenses Safely?

If you decide to wear colored contact lenses, it’s important to take several precautions to protect your eye health, according toThomas Stokkermans, OD, PhD, a medical reviewer at All About Vision.

What to Do If You Experience Discomfort After Wearing Colored Contact Lenses

If you experience any discomfort or pain after wearing colored contact lenses, it’s important to monitor your symptoms. Go to an eye care professional if you notice the following:

If you do not see an improvement within 24 hours after removing your lenses and using artificial tears, you should schedule an appointment with an optometrist or ophthalmologist.

“These practitioners are able to examine the eye with a specialized piece of equipment called a slit lamp, which provides important diagnostic information,” Sundararajan said.

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What This Means For YouWhile colored contact lenses can add to your Halloween costume, unapproved non-prescription lenses can pose serious risks to your eyes. Go to an eye care provider for proper fitting and only purchase lenses from trusted sources.

What This Means For You

While colored contact lenses can add to your Halloween costume, unapproved non-prescription lenses can pose serious risks to your eyes. Go to an eye care provider for proper fitting and only purchase lenses from trusted sources.

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