Hallowe’en lenses could leave you blind, Royal College says

Optometrists warn of horror stories caused by illegal novelty lenses

IT SOUNDS like the ultimate horror story, but health experts are warning that just one night spent dressed up as one of the living dead could be enough to cause permanent nightmares.

Doctors are warning that the trend for novelty contact lenses (like those pictured inset below) could result in lifelong blindness.

Optometrists said many of the lenses could lead to painful conditions and eye infections, including those which can jeopardise sight for life.

By law, contact lenses should only be supplied under the supervision of a registered optician or doctor, who check that the lenses do not cause damage and provide aftercare advice to reduce the risk of infection.

However, an increasingly competitive attitude to fancy dress has seen a proliferation of novelty lenses on sale illegally on market stalls, in joke shops and on websites.

Doctors said they were braced for an increase in A&E visits at Hallowe’en, with under-16s among those most commonly affected.

The College of Optometrists said lenses should only be bought from registered opticians or doctors. Its experts also warned against sharing lenses, a practice that increases the risk of infections enormously.

Daniel Har dim anmc cart ney, clinical adviser for the college said: “Many people think that novelty contact lenses do not require the same level of care as standard contact lenses but this is not the case, even if only worn for one evening.

“We recommend that they should only be purchased from an optometrist who will check they fit well and ensure the wearer knows how to handle and use the lenses safely.”

“We also advise that you do not sleep in, or share your cosmetic contact lenses and always wash and dry your hands before touching them. It’s absolutely crucial that you look after your eyes and wear lenses carefully and as instructed, to ensure your eyes do not become a Hallowe’en horror story.”

Mr Badrul Hussain, consultant ophthalmic surgeon at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, in London, said: “Each year we treat patients, including children under 16, who have developed eye conditions after wearing cosmetic contact lenses.

“There can be an increase in these problems... around Hallowe’en. Some of the cases, like sharing lenses with friends, wearing the same pair year after year well past the expiry date, and storing them in tap water, have devastating effects.

“Not knowing the basics of using contact lenses safely can put you at higher risk of developing painful eye injuries, infections and, in the worst cases, risk of permanent sight loss,” he warned.

Vicky Mcdermott, chief executive of the General Optical Council, said: “When worn safely, the risks associated with cosmetic contact lenses are low. “However, when lenses are sold illegally, wearers are denied important safety checks and advice, putting them at risk of serious damage to their eyes.”