Take care of your eyes

Party goers are being urged to take care of their eyes this Halloween with warnings about novelty contact lenses.

Experts at Specsavers, in Braehead, are warning that the lenses can cause damage to eyes – especially if they are not handled correctly.

Not knowing how to wear or care for them can also result in numerous minor eye conditions like red eye, infections and scratches, as well as more serious complications that can, in severe cases, lead to sight loss.

Jane Gottschlich, store director at Specsavers Braehead Sainsbury’s, said:“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 sightthreatening conditions such as fungal infections like microbial keratitis.

“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.”

Jane also urged people to take off their eye make-up when they go to sleep as it can increase the changes of getting bacterial and oil build up around your eyes which cause infection.