Optician Warns About The Dangers Of Coloured Contacts

An optician has warned about the dangers of wearing coloured contact lenses this Halloween.

Although Halloween is likely to be a very different situation this year, loads of people still plan on dressing up, going out (if they're lucky enough to live in an area where it's allowed) or have a Zoom party.

But if your costume involves the use of coloured contact lenses then you might want to think again because one optician has warned that it could lead to all kinds of problems, including irritation, blurred vision and fungal infections - not what you want.

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Speaking to the Clydebank Post, Specsavers' William Shaw said: "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."

And that lack of knowledge could lead to some fairly grim implications, according to William.

"The results can be nasty," he said, "and range from mildly irritating complications, such as blurry vision and conjunctivitis, to potentially sight-threatening 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 optician immediately."

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This is a similar warning to that which was given last year by Dr Nigel Best, Specsavers clinical spokesperson.

He told LADbible: "While novelty contact lenses may seem like a perfect costume addition, they 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 - 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."

Back in 2018 the mother of an 11-year-old girl warned about the dangers of coloured contact lenses after her daughter almost went blind.

Julie Turcotte, who lives in the Montreal suburb of Blainville, said: "For four days we were so scared. She could not see anything. All that for Halloween contact lenses!"

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According to Julie, little Emilie wore the contacts for around four hours at school, took them out and then put them back in to go trick or treating, before taking them out again to go to sleep.

However, the next day Emilie woke up crying out in pain, saying that her eyes were 'burning'.

Mum Julie managed to prise open Emilie's eyes and saw that they were 'blood red'. Doctors later explained that the contact lenses had damaged the girl's corneas.

Fortunately for Emilie, the pain eventually subsided and she gradually regained her sight.

Topics: Health

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19