Halloween will be upon us before we know it. It’s a good time to consider some key eye safety points for young and old alike.
Cosmetic Contact Lenses
Cosmetic contact lenses can make for a dramatic change and are very popular for costumes. Cosmetic contact lenses are classified as medical devices, just as ones for visual correction are, and can pose risks due to improper fit, use, or care. Serious consequences can result, including vision loss.
The most important thing you can do is to purchase them from a licensed eye care professional. Obtaining your colourful contact lenses with a prescription and appropriate guidance will help to minimize the risks. Sourcing the lenses through a licensed eye care professional will help to ensure that your product is purchased from a licensed manufacturer.
Watch for symptoms such as redness, swelling, discharge from the eyes or blurred vision, and of course discomfort. If any of these occur, remove the lenses right away and see your optometrist. (You can contact our Almonte clinic or our Gloucester clinic if you are in the Ottawa area.)
Makeup Safety
Use products that are hypo-allergenic and make sure that any additives to the face paint are approved (check the recalls list at Health Canada if you are unsure).
When applying make-up near or around the eye, avoid the lid or lash line—the area where you would normally apply eye liner.
If you are applying make-up very close to the eye, use only products approved for use in that area such as an eye-liner or eye shadow.
It’s not a good idea to use blush, lipstick or lip-liner to create a “red” effect, as some ingredients may not be approved for use in the eye. It’s also possible that bacteria from the mouth could be transmitted to the eye.
Costume Safety
Masks are fun, but shouldn’t obstruct vision.
Avoid sharp or pointy objects such as swords in costumes. If your child must carry a sword, makes sure it is secured to the outfit. Any eye injury should be thoroughly examined. Watch for any signs of redness, decreased vision, or pain.
An eye injury may be more serious than it first appears. If your child reports eye pain or blurred vision or if the eye is bloodshot or there is bruising around the eye, you should take them to your optometrist as soon as possible.
After Dark Safety
Reflective tape and stickers can help make costumes and treat bags much more visible after dark. Take a flashlight or wearable LED light so you can see and been seen.