Halloween is upon us! As we plan our Halloween costumes, it's important to keep our eye safety in mind. From masks and face painting to decorative contact lenses and more, these fun accessories are definitely scary—for your eye health. Below we’ll discuss a few of these popular costume additions and how they can affect your eyes. Have fun with your costume this year, but please be wary of objects in and near your eyes. No costume is worth your eye health!

Decorative Lenses

Decorative contact lenses can look fun and put the finishing touches on our costume, but they can cause some serious damage to your eyes. Over-the-counter decorative contact lenses are often advertised as “one size fits all,” but contacts should be fitted for your eyes. Ill-fitting lenses can cut and scratch your eyes. Additionally, these lenses can contain harmful toxins. In fact, according to an analysis of 300 decorative lenses by the FDA, 60% of these contacts contained harmful bacteria.

Utilizing lenses that aren't prescribed by your eye doctor comes with a number of health risks, including:

• Corneal abrasion
• Eye infections
• Decreased vision
• Allergic reactions

Facial Cosmetics

Most cosmetics sold at Halloween stores are made for fun, not safety. Oftentimes these products contain harsh chemicals and other ingredients that can cause rashes and allergic reactions, especially if they contain glitter. These products can be harmful to any part of your body but can be especially dangerous when placed near your eyes. If the makeup does get into your eye, you’re at risk of infection, irritation, and chemical burns, so it’s important to call your doctor immediately.

However, this doesn’t mean you can’t wear makeup with your costume! Just be sure whatever you’re using, especially on your face and around your eyes, is hypo-allergenic and from a trusted brand. Remember to thoroughly wash off all makeup before bed, and never share your makeup with others.

Masks and Facial Obstructions

One of the most popular costumes for Halloween is a mask, and for a good reason! Masks make for fun and easy costumes, but only when worn safely. When choosing a mask for yourself or your child, be sure that it doesn’t obstruct vision. If you’re dressing as a pirate and wearing an eye patch, be aware that this may obstruct your peripheral vision and can increase your chances of falling or getting injured. Before dressing up on Halloween, wear these masks and patches around your house first to ensure you can see clearly when wearing them.

To ensure your eyes remain safe around Halloween and all year round, it’s crucial to receive a comprehensive eye examination. You can schedule your eye examination with the caring doctors at Kopolow & Girisgen, Doctors of Optometry. Schedule an appointment online or simply text GLASSES to 21000, and a member of our friendly team will be in touch!