Colored contacts for Halloween: Are they safe?

Halloween contact lenses may be just what you need to terrorize trick-or-treaters or wow party-goers this year. These fanciful colored contacts can take your startling or sassy costume to a whole new level. But they aren’t always safe and should be bought and worn with caution.

What are Halloween contacts?

Halloween contacts are decorative lenses sold to enhance the eyes as part of a costume. They may be sold year-round, but they’re especially popular during the fall season, as revelers get ready to dress up for parties and go trick-or-treating.

Also known as cosmetic, decorative, theatrical or special effects contacts, Halloween contacts are particularly popular with teens and young adults. Types of Halloween contacts may include:

• Colored contacts – Lenses that turn your eyes pink, red, gold, green, black or another otherworldly color.
• Decorative contacts – Lenses with special features, such as dots, stripes or differently shaped pupils, to help you get in character.
• Scleral contacts – Lenses that cover more of the white part of your eyes to make your iris look bigger.

These costume contacts come in an array of styles and colors. Some are essentially colored contacts — allowing you to alter your eye color to match a movie star or other character — while others may have decorative features to create a specific look, such as cat eyes with slit pupils, red werewolf eyes or bloodshot zombie eyes.

Are Halloween contacts safe?

Wondering if zombie contacts, vampire contacts and other Halloween-themed lenses are safe and where you can buy them? Anything you place on your eye has the potential to cause an injury or infection that could lead to vision loss. Decades of research and development have produced colored and costume contact lenses that are safe when prescribed correctly, worn properly and maintained carefully.

But not all Halloween contacts fit these guidelines. The safety of these specialty lenses (also known as theatrical, special-effects or costume contacts) boils down to buying them from the right people and wearing them the right way.

Why go to all this trouble just to look like you’ve got the eyes of a cat, a lizard or an evil alien from a galaxy far, far away? Well, sometimes, these crazy contacts are simply the perfect final touch to create fear, drama or whimsy with a fun or freaky costume.

The possibilities are virtually endless when it comes to colored and costume lenses designed to create ocular drama for Halloween. But therein lies the danger. Some Halloween contacts are safer than others, but how do you know the difference?

Costume contact lenses can be ideal for Halloween, but it’s often safest to order them through your eye doctor.

What makes Halloween contact lenses harmful?

Costume contact lenses for Halloween are a twist on colored contact lenses, which allow people to tweak the color or tint of their eyes or transform them altogether. Some can even correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and/or astigmatism at the same time. However, it can be hard to find toric colored contacts that correct astigmatism, so talk to your eye doctor if that option interests you. Or, costume contacts can be unpowered, providing nothing more than “decoration.”

In the United States, all contact lenses — powered and unpowered — are considered medical devices. The only way to legally buy contact lenses is with a prescription from an eye doctor.

The potential for harm arises when costume contacts are bought through websites, convenience stores and other shopping venues that sell Halloween lenses without a prescription. This violates U.S. law, however, that might not prevent unethical vendors from selling Halloween contacts — or unaware customers from buying them.

The problem with buying colored contact lenses for Halloween illegally, without a prescription from an eye doctor, is that every eye has different dimensions. It’s reasonable to assume that whatever over-the-counter lenses you buy could be too loose or too tight, either of which could cause problems that lead to eye injuries or infections.

An eye doctor’s prescription, which provides precise measurements of the front surface of the eye, is the only way to ensure a proper fit. There’s no such assurance when buying illegal Halloween contacts — however cool they may look and whatever safety guarantees the retailer or brand may make.

An eye examination and contact lens fitting are needed to determine whether decorative lenses are appropriate for you. Your eye doctor checks your eye health and evaluates the fit and vision with the specific lens on your eye. The prescription identifies the lenses and parameters selected for you. Even if you already wear contact lenses comfortably, a different decorative design needs its own assessment.

What are the risks of wearing Halloween contacts?

TV shows and movies inspire inventive Halloween costumes. Vampires, werewolves, jungle cats, slithering reptiles — just about anything with eyes is fair game for costume professionals in the entertainment industry. And the wilder the character or creature, the wilder the contacts.

It’s only natural to desire this same effect in your own Halloween costume. Brands and products have sprung into action to meet this demand. But keep in mind, ethical businesses selling Halloween contacts and operating under U.S. laws will require buyers to provide a prescription from an eye doctor.

Once again, there are retailers online and in stores that sell costume contacts without prescriptions. The companies selling these lenses may be operating beyond the jurisdiction of U.S. law or unaware of (or unconcerned with) the dangers. If you buy these over-the-counter contact lenses, you’re setting yourself up for eye discomfort or, worse, injury or infection.

Poor-fitting lenses can lead to corneal abrasions or ulcers on the cornea — the clear half-dome on the front of the eye. These corneal injuries can cause permanent vision loss. Another serious risk is infectious keratitis, an infection of the cornea caused by bacteria, fungi or other microorganisms. Severe infection can cause a corneal ulcer, scarring and permanent vision loss.

Symptoms of problems when wearing Halloween contacts may include:

• Pain
• Red eyes
• Blurry vision
• Difficulty with removal — the lens getting “stuck” on the eye
• Lens not staying on the eye

By wearing the wrong Halloween contacts or using them incorrectly, you may increase your risk of eye infections, corneal abrasions or even vision loss.

Safety tips for prescription Halloween contacts

Wondering if there are any special care tips for wearing werewolf or Halloween-themed contact lenses?

First, make sure your eyes are suitable for contacts and have your eye doctor prepare a prescription based on your eyes’ precise shape and size. Then, buy your werewolf, zombie or other costume contacts from an appropriate business. Your eye care professional may sell decorative, FDA-approved lenses directly, or may recommend a brand or website where you can safely purchase them.

Once your Halloween contacts arrive, these tips can help you avoid eye damage when wearing your decorative lenses.

Proper hygiene practices

It’s important to follow your eye doctor’s directions regarding safety, comfort and lens maintenance. Here are some tips on proper hygiene practices:

• Practice hand hygiene. Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water and dry them with a clean cloth before touching your contacts.
• Clean your lenses according to instructions. It’s important to clean your lenses properly using the recommended cleaning solution.
• Never share contacts. You don’t want any of your friends’ germs infecting your eyes, or vice versa, by sharing contact lenses.
• Play it safe with false eyelashes. Fake lashes can irritate the eyes, especially if you’re also wearing costume contact lenses. Follow the manufacturer’s directions closely.
• Store contact lenses correctly. If your lenses can be used more than once, store them in a clean contact lens case filled with fresh disinfecting solution (never water).
• Replace disinfection solution regularly. If you plan to store your lenses between uses, change the disinfecting solution in the case weekly. Never add fresh solution to old solution. Saline and rewetting drops do not disinfect contact lenses.
• Use the lens-care system recommended for your lenses and complete its full cleaning and disinfection instructions. Follow the care system’s instructions for cleaning, drying and replacing its case.
• Keep lenses away from water and saliva, and remove them before showering, swimming or using a hot tub. 

How long can you wear Halloween contacts?

Most decorative contact lenses are for day use only and not to be slept in. Make sure you ask your eye doctor for further care instructions.

Contact lenses come with different recommended wear and replacement schedules. For example, daily disposable contacts are meant to be discarded after one use. Weekly or monthly disposable contacts may be worn during the day, cleaned and disinfected overnight, and discarded based on the recommended schedule (weekly or monthly). Reusable contacts also must be cleaned and disinfected at night but may be used for a longer period before being replaced.

Your eye doctor can tell you how to wear and maintain your contacts safely. For example, they can tell you:

• How many hours at a time you can safely wear your contacts
• Whether your contacts can be worn more than once
• How to clean and disinfect your contacts properly
• How many times your contacts can be worn before being discarded

Not following the schedule and overuse, such as wearing contacts too long or too many times in a row, can pose risks. You could get an eye infection or injure your eye.

Don’t ignore problems. Remove your lenses and contact an eye doctor immediately if you develop significant eye pain, increased redness, light sensitivity, new blurry vision, or excessive tearing or discharge. Do not put the lenses back in until your eye doctor says you can. If you have severe pain or reduced vision and cannot reach an eye doctor, seek emergency care.

SEE RELATED: Can fake eyelashes cause eye infections?

There’s nothing thrilling about endangering your eyesight

The whole point of Halloween is mixing fun with fright.

Whether you’re covering only the colored part of your eye or the entire front surface, you can ramp up your look with Halloween contacts. If you’re already comfortable wearing contact lenses, you may be a candidate for costume contacts. If you’ve never worn contacts, then you might want to be more cautious before trying them out at this year’s Halloween party.

Buy your lenses in an appropriate way, with a prescription from your eye doctor and from a reputable seller. Never buy them over the counter — it’s not only illegal, but it could also be dangerous.

Alternatives to Halloween contacts

If you’re concerned about contact lens safety with decorative contacts, or you simply can’t wear these lenses, there are safe alternatives for achieving a spooky look. Here are a few options that will allow you to amp up your fright night look without putting anything in your eyes:

Halloween glasses

There are many non-prescription or prescription glasses that could jazz up your Halloween costume. Ideas for Halloween costumes with glasses range from mad scientists to historical figures, like Ben Franklin, or beloved book characters, like Harry Potter. Non-prescription glasses can add intrigue around your eyes without the same risks cosmetic contacts carry. Just make sure the glasses are comfortable and fit you well.

Halloween makeup

Makeup can create a dramatic Halloween look when used carefully. Choose products specifically intended for the eye area, with color additives permitted for that use. Keep loose glitter, craft glitter and confetti away from your eyes. Do not share makeup or use old or contaminated products. Try new makeup on a small patch of arm skin 24 to 48 hours beforehand, and stop if irritation develops.

Halloween hats 

Fun hats are another alternative that can work with just about any type of costume and may pose fewer risks to your eyes and safety. (It’s recommended to avoid masks, as they can obscure your vision, which poses safety risks.) Options range from top hats to joker hats to crowns and work with an array of costumes, from Abraham Lincoln to Queen Elizabeth to (of course) The Cat in the Hat.

Any of these costume additions may be a better bet than taking risks with your eyes, especially if you can’t wear contacts.

Final thoughts on Halloween contacts

Halloween contacts and other decorative lenses come with risks. But by getting a prescription, buying your FDA-approved lenses from a reputable vendor and following safety and lens care instructions, you can achieve the look you want while safeguarding your eyes. 

If you prioritize your vision and safety when shopping for Halloween contacts, you may enjoy some frights and fun while avoiding a truly scary situation, such as harm to your eye health.

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