How long are costume contacts good for

How can Halloween contacts be dangerous? How many eye injuries are caused by costume contact lenses? Why are stores and online retailers selling colored contact lenses without a prescription if it's not safe? How to report a problem If you have had a problem with colored contact lenses, report it to your local FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator.

Next Contact Lenses. Halloween Eye Safety: Printable Infographics. What Are Polarized Lenses For? Find an Ophthalmologist. Advanced Search. Ask an Ophthalmologist. Browse Answers. You should talk with an eye care provider before purchasing or wearing any of these costume lenses.

According to the FDA, you should not buy costume lenses from the following places:. However, there are colored contacts available with a corrective lens power or in Plano without lens power forms through your eye doctor. Even if you have perfect vision, you still need an eye exam and prescription before you wear any contact lens. Poorly fit or improperly designed contact lenses may also allow less oxygen through to the eye.

Since these costume contact lenses have paints and pigments added to create the color, the lenses. Many of these costume contact lenses are mis-sized, and the lenses can cause corneal abrasions, corneal ulcers and potentially blinding painful bacterial infections.

Treating these types of injuries may require surgery, like a corneal transplant, and may even result in blindness. Like any type of corrective lenses, there are guidelines that should be followed to safely wear costume contacts. These guidelines can include buying legal lenses and obtaining an appropriate prescription. For more information, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends the following:. During an exam, an eye care professional, such as an optometrist or ophthalmologist, will:.

While costume contacts might seem fun, wearing a pair of lenses that are not prescription can be dangerous to your eye health. Eye infections can become serious very quickly and sometimes the damage is irreversible.

Remember, be smart when it comes to what you put on your eyes! A pair can be reused for periods of time depending on the brand and life-cycle of lens as well as how well they are cared for. Monthly or yearly contact lenses should be worn for up to 9 hours a day.

How long can you wear extended wear contact lenses for? Extended wear contact lenses can be worn for longer periods of time and even overnight.

The length of time you can wear these lenses without removing varies on the manufacturer, but it is always good to try and give your eyes a break or disinfect by cleaning it using contact lens solution for at least twice a week and you should never wear lenses continuously for more than 30 days.

On your first day of wear try to wear them for hours so your eyes can adapt to the sensation of wearing contact lenses and get used to it. During this time, you can adjust the lenses making sure it is sitting properly and check that there is no discomfort or irritation for your safety and convenience.

What are risks of wearing contact lenses beyond the required period? Only wear the contact lenses as long as the instructions recommend, and replace them as often as the instructions indicate. This is particularly important for the large scleral lenses that cover more of the eye, because they allow less oxygen to reach the cornea. Stay hydrated and use contact-friendly eyedrops as needed, especially with scleral lenses.

Have a safe and spooky Halloween, everyone!