Elaborate Halloween masks, colorful makeup and cosmetic contact lenses can boost the thrill factor of a costume, but they can cause long-term vision damage.
Halloween is a favorite holiday for children and adults alike. What is more fun than creating a thrilling costume and eating sweet treats? Consider several factors when planning your unique look for trick or treating. Halloween costumes can cause eye injuries that turn ghoulish fun into a real-life nightmare if you do not show proper caution.
You can enjoy all the treats without the tricks by following these eye safety tips for a delightfully frightful Halloween.
Avoid Wearing Masks That Obstruct Vision
Masks can obscure your eyesight, especially at night. Often, the eyeholes of the mask are too small, which narrows the visual field.
Instead of wearing a mask, consider wearing a colorful hat. Hats can add just as much fright as a mask while not affecting your peripheral vision. Make sure that the hat fits snugly over the head and doesn’t slide over the eyes.
Wear Eye-Safe Makeup
Makeup can also be a wise alternative to a mask. Before purchasing makeup, check the FDA’s list of color additives to see if your preferred colors are FDA-approved.
After you purchase the makeup, put a small amount of the makeup on your arm to assess it. If you experience redness, a rash, swelling or irritation, do not use the makeup. You could be allergic to it. When you apply the makeup on Halloween, take extra care to avoid the eye area (FDA).
Metallic or glittery eye shadow and face paint can add flair and interest to your costume, but make sure there are no loose particles that can get into your eyes. Even hypoallergenic makeup can irritate the delicate eye tissue and cause inflammation. Make sure you remove all makeup before bed and discard makeup that is more than three months old.
Use Caution When Using Handheld Props
Swords, wands, light sabers, canes and broomsticks can accent any costume, but they can quickly turn from prop to weapon if used improperly. Handheld props can cause painful corneal abrasions that result in a visit to the emergency room. Instead of enhancing the fun, sticks and swords end up being cumbersome and just increase the risk of tripping and falling.
Save yourself the inconvenience and prevent eye injuries by leaving handheld props at home. Wearing colorful glow sticks around the neck will make you visible to others and make your appearance more festive.
Avoid Wearing Cosmetic Contact Lenses
Many people like to make a bold statement by wearing cosmetic contact lenses to accent their costume. However, you should only wear prescription contact lenses from your eye doctor. Contacts from a costume shop or online can cause vision problems, painful infections, corneal abrasions, corneal ulcers or blindness.
The FDA classifies contact lenses as medical devices, requiring a prescription from a licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist. Non-licensed vendors cannot sell unregulated cosmetic or costume contacts, and federal agencies are working hard to prevent the import of counterfeit contact lenses. However, you can still purchase non-prescription contacts at locations like gas stations, beauty salons and online shops (AAO).
Some cosmetic contacts contain harmful substances like chlorine and iron. Having a spooky eye color isn’t worth permanent vision loss, so find other creative ways to add a pop of color to your face.
Schedule an Eye Exam before Halloween
A comprehensive eye exam will prevent you from going “bump in the night,” so make an appointment for eye checks for your entire family. Kids may trip or injure themselves without unobstructed vision. Glasses or contacts could be just the trick for a safer Halloween.
Adults may benefit from an eye exam as well. Cataracts can affect night vision and cause glares or halos around streetlights and headlights. This can be particularly distracting and dangerous when accompanying children by car or on foot. Cataracts are a major factor in vision impairment, but undergoing cataract surgery can enhance your eyesight, offering clarity better than you’ve ever known.
Find an Ophthalmologist near You
It’s not a frightful experience to visit an eye doctor. Most eye exams take less than an hour, and insurance often covers preventive check-ups. Your doctor will evaluate your current prescription and screen you for common eye conditions like cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration.
If you are looking for a board-certified ophthalmologist, we can help. Our doctors and staff are eager to welcome new patients and care for your vision needs. Call an eye center near you so you can have a happy and safe Halloween.