New Delhi:
Halloween is at the door which means markets will be seeing a shoot-up in sales of costumes of different characters which even includes novelty contact lenses. With eyes and particularly eye colour having the knack to change the overall look, Halloween fans will naturally go for a Vampire-like, Kane-like eye colour to make the festival of spookiness extra spooky and memorable. This seemingly ‘safe’ round silicone can, however prove disastrous for the eyes and doctors have warned the Halloween-anticipants to stay away from it.
Speaking to LadBible just before Hallwoeen, Dr Nigel Best, Specsavers clinical spokesperson explains, "While novelty contact lenses may seem like a perfect costume addition, they can cause damage to eyes - especially if they are not handled correctly.
Giving extra precautions on people who often overlook the harmful-effects of not taking care of the lenses properly, Best added, "Not knowing how to wear or care for them can also result in numerous minor eye conditions - such as red eye, infections and scratches - as well as more serious complications that can, in severe cases, lead to sight loss.
"Halloween contact lenses have become incredibly popular in recent years; however, consumers often are not aware of the risks associated with misusing contact lenses.
"In particular, if a wearer hasn't had a proper consultation with an optometrist beforehand, they probably haven't been taught how to wear or care for their lenses correctly.
"The results can be nasty and range from mildly irritating complications, to potentially sight-threatening conditions such as fungal infections like microbial keratitis."
Adding what one should do when discomfort when one chooses to wear them, the doctor stated, "If you do start to notice any discomfort, irritation or pain during or after wearing Halloween contact lenses it is important you visit an opticians immediately’’.
