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- Written by Amanda Slingo Amanda Slingo
- Posted on 12 October 2019 12 October 2019
Coloured contact lenses can make for an eye-popping fright with hues like zombie yellow, blood vampire or black wolf available for Halloween, but are you aware of the dangers of using unauthorised contact lenses?
Around the Halloween season, scary contact lenses are a popular addition to create a dramatic look. It's tempting to looking for quick, easy and cheap halloween contact lenses, especially if it’s just for a one-time event. These contact lenses are becoming more and more popular, and are so easily and readily available to buy online.
Before you purchase contact lenses, there are a few things you should be cautious of, even more so when purchasing fancy dress contact lenses online.
Contact lenses, any type of contact lens – no matter where they’re from, should always be fitted to your eye by a qualified eyecare professional. Lenses that haven’t been properly fitted by an eyecare professional can cause serious damage to your eyes, such as:
- Decreased, or blurry vision
- Redness
- Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
- Infection
- Allergic reaction
- Scratches on the cornea
- Corneal swelling
- Eye ulcers
- Eye pain
- Blindness, in extreme cases
Most people believe that decorative lenses do not require the same level of care or consideration as a standard contact lens because they can be purchased over-the-counter or on the Internet, but this is far from the truth. They should be bought and used only with a valid prescription, the involvement of a qualified eye care professional, and with appropriate follow-up care
All coloured contact lenses supplied within the UK, including non-prescription lenses, are now classed as medical devices, and should only be supplied or supervised by a registered optician.
We would strongly advise against wearing cheap decorative contact lenses from the Internet and without a proper prescription, especially if you have never worn contacts before.