Halloween partygoers – including children and teenagers – are being warned by UK medical experts of the dangers of “spooky” or coloured contact lenses.
The gimmicky cosmetic lenses should only be sold by a registered optician or doctor who is qualified to provide after-care advice, but are increasingly sold cheaply and illegally online, in shops and on market stalls.
Optical experts said wearers could suffer infection or even permanent sight loss from the lenses, with an even higher risk of “devastating effects” for those who share them with friends, wear the same pair year after year, or store them in water. They are often referred to as zero-powered lenses, as unlike standard contact lenses they do not correct the wearer’s vision.
A recent Omnibus survey reveals that 7% of the general public have worn zero-powered contact lenses, but the proportion is significantly higher (21%) among those aged 25- to 34-years-old. The decorative lenses have led to a worrying spike in admissions to A&E units in the UK around the Halloween period.
“Each year we treat patients, including children under 16, who have developed eye conditions after wearing cosmetic contact lenses,” said Badrul Hussain, consultant ophthalmic surgeon at Moorfields eye hospital. “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.”
Hussain said 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.
Vicky McDermott, chief executive of the General Optical Council, said: “When worn safely, the risks associated with cosmetic contact lenses are low. However, when lenses are sold illegally, wearers are denied important safety checks and advice, putting them at risk of serious damage to their eyes. Partygoers can better protect their sight by buying their lenses from a qualified professional.”
In parts of Wales, trading standards officers have been working with retailers to improve legal compliance around decorative contact lens sales.
