How to protect your eyes from contact lens horrors this Halloween?

Experts from Moorfields Private are urging those planning to wear cosmetic contact lenses this Halloween to buy and wear them safely.
Cosmetic contact lenses are often sold illegally on market stalls, joke shops and websites. These unauthorised outlets rarely provide adequate advice about how to wear and care for contact lenses safely.

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

Patients with eye problems related to the contact lens are often seen in our Rapid Access and Urgent Care Clinic which offers same and next day appointments with world renowned Moorfields Private consultants. Here is what some of them say about cosmetic contact lenses.

Mr Badrul Hussain, consultant ophthalmic surgeon:

“Each year we treat patients at Moorfields Eye Hospital, including children under 16, who have developed eye conditions after wearing cosmetic contact lenses. There can be an increase in these problems in the period around Halloween. Some of the cases we see, like patients sharing lenses with friends, wearing the same pair year after year well past the expiry date, and storing them in tap water, can have devastating effects.”

Miss Poornima Rai, consultant ophthalmic surgeon:

“Most of the patients haven’t been shown how to look after their cosmetic lenses or their eyes properly. 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.”

Mr Kamran Saha, consultant ophthalmic surgeon:

“The cornea, the clear window at the front of the eye, is delicate and can be scratched easily by inexperienced contact lens wearers. This can expose the eye to organisms that can cause nasty infections, which in extreme cases can result in permanently impaired, or loss of, vision.”

When used properly, cosmetic contact lenses pose little risk. However, buying lenses from illegal sellers can be dangerous, as wearers miss out on important safety checks and advice. To protect your eyes, it's best to avoid purchasing contact lenses from unauthorized sellers.