ITV report on Halloween contact lenses featuring Kathryn Anthony Optometry
On Wednesday 8th October, ITV West Country visited our practice at 16 Pierrepoint Street to interview our lead optometrist Jessica Watson about the dangers of buying Halloween contact lenses. Although often brought with good intentions to add that finishing touch to a ghostly outfit, Halloween contact lenses are often cheaply produced, slipping unregulated into the market and bringing with them a host of detrimental eye health issues.
Watch the ITV West Country report with Jessica on Halloween Contact Lenses above – see video in gallery above.
Tor bolster Jessica’s and ITV’s safety message, we have put together below some key information below to be aware of when considering Halloween contact lenses.
Are Halloween contact lenses safe?
Unfortunately, many Halloween contact lenses are unregulated and NOT SAFE. With the majority being sold online, in costume shops or on markets without proper quality control, both the product itself and the lack of professional instruction on using them can lead to serious eye health problems. Unlike traditional contact lenses where an optometrist will train the patient in how to correctly apply their lenses with key hygiene and handling rules, decorative contact lenses are often purchased by people without prior knowledge or experience in using contact lenses. This lack of training and adhering to best practices when inserting or removing contact lenses can result in detrimental eye hygiene.
IMPORTANT: Should decorative contact lenses be poorly fitted, this can lead to eye infections, corneal scratches, ulcerations, allergic reactions, and in severe cases permanent vision loss.
Every Halloween, Moorfields NHS Eye Hospital reports a spike in treating patients with painful infections and corneal ulcers caused by decorative lenses bought online or from fancy-dress shops. Some suffer permanent scarring or reduced vision. In addition, The College of Optometrists and the General Optical Council (GOC) both warn that these ‘one-night lenses’ are often made from low-quality plastics and unsafe dyes, and that any sale or fitting must legally involve a registered professional – something most users often fail to consider.
How can you tell if decorative contact lenses are safe?
Safe contact lenses will always have a CE or UKCA mark and come sealed in sterile packaging. Unless you are able to 100% verify and check this with the vendor, we would always advise against purchasing decorative contact lenses from online marketplaces, fancy-dress shops, or unverified overseas sellers.
A safe, regulated supplier will always provide fitting, hygiene, and aftercare guidance – that is what ultimately protects your eye health.
Steps to take if you wish to wear decorative contact lenses
The most important step is to only purchase decorative contact lenses from a qualified, GOC-registered optometrist or contact lens optician and then have them professionally fitted by that optometrist or contact lens optician.
During the fitting, key hygiene rules will be explained to you for future self-fitting and removal. Most complications seen in hospitals are due to lack of fitting or hygiene instruction – something easily avoided when lenses are professionally supplied. In addition, you must never sleep in or wear decorative contact lenses longer than advised, and in no circumstances share contact lenses.
What should you do if your eyes become sore or red after wearing lenses?
The first thing to do is to remove the lenses immediately. Don’t try to self-treat the issue with over the counter drops. Instead, book an urgent appointment with Kathryn Anthony Optometry, or any GOC-registered optometrist for professional assessment. Only attend an emergency eye clinic straight away if there is severe pain or visual impairment, as this can indicate a serious infection requiring immediate hospital care.
What to remember about Halloween contact lenses
Your eyes are delicate, and vision loss can be permanent. Decorative lenses might seem fun for one night, but buying unregulated products online is simply not worth the risk. Always speak to a qualified, GOC-registered optometrist or contact lens optician and prioritise your eye health over your Halloween look.
Do Kathryn Anthony Optometry sell Halloween contact lenses?
We do not sell decorative lenses intended for Halloween as these are typically only worn once. However, we do supply a wide range of contact lenses, including coloured and specialist designs, all from regulated manufacturers. In addition, we supply some of the very best traditional contact lenses on the market, including the Bausch + Lomb ULTRA ONE DAY. If you have any queries regarding regular or decorative contact lenses, please get in touch and we’ll be very happy to help.
