Halloween contact lenses in bold colours are in demand ahead of 31 October, for costumes, cosplay or just photos. Before you buy, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has a clear warning: all contact lenses must be prescribed by a doctor, including decorative lenses. Lenses sold without a prescription are illegal and can harm your eyes.
This article sums up the risks the FDA lists, how to buy coloured lenses safely, the infection signs to watch for, a note on costume makeup, and a real result from Kira on choosing a lens colour that suits your skin undertone.
Five risks of contact lenses without a prescription, according to the FDA
According to the FDA page on decorative lenses, wearing any kind of contact lenses, including decorative ones, can cause serious damage to your eyes if the lenses are obtained without a prescription or not used correctly. The risks are:
- A cut or scratch on the top layer of the eyeball (corneal abrasion).
- Allergic reactions such as itchy, watery, red eyes.
- Decreased vision.
- Infection.
- Blindness, if an infection is not treated.
The FDA also stresses a point that is easy to forget: all eyes are not the same size and shape, so lenses must be fitted by an eye doctor. A wrong fit can damage your eyes, and lenses should never be shared with anyone else.
How to buy coloured contact lenses safely
- Get an eye exam. A licensed eye doctor examines your eyes and makes sure the lenses fit properly. Go for follow-up exams as instructed.
- Get a prescription. A contact lens prescription includes the brand name, the correct lens measurements and an expiration date.
- Buy from a seller that asks for the prescription. According to the FDA, anyone selling you lenses must get your prescription and verify it with your doctor, including the doctor's name and phone number. A seller that does not ask could be selling illegal lenses.
- Avoid unknown sources. The FDA specifically names street vendors, beauty supply stores, flea markets, novelty or Halloween stores, and unknown online distributors, because their lenses may be contaminated or counterfeit.
- Follow the care instructions. Wear, clean and disinfect the lenses as instructed in the package. If you did not receive instructions, ask an eye doctor for them.
If you usually buy lenses from a marketplace in Indonesia, the same principles apply: have your eyes examined first, get the measurements from a doctor, and buy from an official seller rather than a seasonal costume stall.
Infection signs: remove the lenses and see a doctor
The FDA lists the signs of a possible eye infection for contact lens wearers: redness, pain that does not go away after a short time, discharge, and decreased vision. If you notice any of them, remove the lenses and see a licensed eye doctor (an optometrist or ophthalmologist) right away. An untreated infection can lead to blindness.
Costume makeup: check the colours too
Beyond lenses, the FDA has notes on Halloween makeup. According to its novelty makeup page, colour additives in cosmetics, including face paints and theatrical makeup, must be approved by the FDA, and some colours allowed on skin are not allowed near the eyes. The eight fluorescent (neon) colours approved for cosmetics, for example, are not allowed for use near the eyes. In Indonesia, make sure the product has a BPOM distribution permit and follow the Cek KLIK habit before buying.
Which lens colour suits you: a real result from Kira
Safety is the eye doctor's job; the colour is something you can ask Kira. Here is Kira's real result for the question "which contact lens colour suits me?" from one selfie:
For this model, Kira read a warm undertone with naturally brown eyes and picked Honey Brown because it blends with the skin tone, Olive Green for an interesting contrast, and Amber to add warmth to the face. Gray and Blue were marked as colours to avoid because they contrast too much with the undertone. The full guide is in which contact lens colour suits you.
Kira's suggestions are AI colour advice, not medical advice. The lens size, brand and safety are decided by an eye doctor through an exam and a prescription.
Ask Kira about lens colours
Send Kira a selfie in natural light on WhatsApp and ask which lens colour suits you. Kira replies in 10 to 15 seconds with three colours, the reasons, and a preview on your own eyes. See the contact lens example.
Frequently asked questions
Do Halloween contact lenses need a prescription?
According to the FDA, all contact lenses must be prescribed by a doctor, including decorative or coloured lenses for costumes. Lenses sold without a prescription are illegal and can harm your eyes. The prescription includes the brand, the lens measurements and an expiry date, because every eye is a different size and shape.
What are the risks of wearing contact lenses without a prescription?
The FDA lists five risks of lenses obtained without a prescription or used incorrectly: a scratch on the cornea, allergic reactions such as itchy, watery, red eyes, decreased vision, eye infection, and blindness if an infection goes untreated. Lenses from costume stores or unknown sellers may also be contaminated or counterfeit.
Where should I buy coloured contact lenses?
Buy from your eye doctor or from a seller that asks for your prescription and verifies it with your doctor. The FDA advises against street vendors, beauty supply stores, flea markets, novelty or Halloween stores, and unknown online distributors. Also follow the cleaning and disinfecting instructions that come with the lenses.
When should I remove my lenses and see a doctor?
Remove the lenses and see an eye doctor right away if your eyes are red, painful for more than a short time, have discharge, or if your vision decreases. According to the FDA, these are signs of an eye infection, and an untreated infection can lead to blindness. Do not wait until the costume event is over.
Sources
Facts in this article refer to the sources below.
- Aksesori
- Softlens
- Keamanan kosmetik
- Berita kecantikan
