Halloween eye safety: Don't be haunted by an eye infection!

Halloween is approaching quickly and it’s time to create those photo-worthy costumes—but we want to ensure an eye infection isn’t a part of the ensemble. October is Halloween Eye Safety Month and below we have some helpful tips on how to make sure your child’s Halloween costume doesn’t leave complications for their vision.

1. Don’t use off-the-shelf decorative contact lenses—get a prescription! If your child (or you!) wants to use decorative contact lenses for their costume, ask your family’s eye doctor for help. Your doctor can provide a prescription as well guidance on proper contact lens use and fit, to help avoid problems like eye infections or eye sores, which can lead to permanent vision loss. In fact, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Ophthalmology do not recommend using decorative contact lenses obtained from costume shops, online stores, beauty salons, drug stores, flea markets—anywhere that doesn’t require a prescription. Learn more about the dangers of decorative lenses here.

2. Be mindful of makeup. Halloween makeup can be a fun way to enhance any costume, but be sure to practice good hygiene, to reduce the risk of eye infections. Don’t share makeup between anyone, remove all makeup before going to bed, and avoid using old, expired makeup. For eyelash extensions, test a small patch of skin (not the eyelid) for lash glue allergies and be careful not to get glue in their eyes.

3. Have fun! Enjoy your night knowing your child's eyes will look cool/scary/funny and won’t cause any long-lasting effects after the fun is over. Make Halloween as memorable as possible for your child and spread the word to other parents about the importance of children’s eye health.