What You Need to Know Before Purchasing Special-Effect Contact Lenses

If you’re looking for the last little detail to put your Halloween costume over the top, you may be interested in purchasing special-effect contact lenses. They are available in many different styles such as cat eyes, blood red, werewolf and zombie. Special-effect lenses can also be custom-made to your specifications. Before you start deciding which pair of lenses will go best with your costume, you need to schedule an appointment with your eye doctor. Under no circumstances should you purchase special-effect lenses from a novelty store, costume shop or salon.

Even though most special-effect contacts are not vision-corrective lenses, they must be FDA-approved for legal sale in the United States, and require a prescription. Everyone’s eyes are different sizes and shapes. Therefore, it is necessary that you be fitted for novelty contacts by an optometrist to ensure proper fit and reduce the risk of eye damage that can be caused by the lenses. If contact lenses are not fitted correctly to the shape and curvature of your eyes, the lenses may shift, causing irritation and abrasion. Wearing contact lenses that are not prescribed to you can even result in permanent vision damage. In some cases, an eye exam reveals issues such as an existing infection or dry eye (reduced tear film) that may prevent you from wearing contact lenses altogether.

Besides fitting you for contacts, your optometrist will instruct you on the proper care and use of contact lenses. All FDA-approved contacts are sold in sterile packaging. To reduce the risk of eye infection caused by contact lenses, your optometrist will teach you how to keep your contacts clean and clear of debris that lead to infection. Your eye doctor will also teach you how to put your lenses on properly.

Once you have your contact lens prescription, you will want to find a trustworthy vendor. Here at Insight Eyecare, we can special-order a variety of colored and special-effect contact lenses. There are some reputable online vendors, but keep in mind, they cannot legally or safely sell lenses to you without requiring a prescription.

Other safety considerations to keep in mind:

• Buy from a credible vendor that specializes in vision products and contact lenses. Never buy contacts from a novelty or costume shop, or from any vendor that does not require a prescription.
• Make sure contacts are FDA-approved and sold in the original sterile packaging. It is illegal to sell contact lenses in the U.S. that are not FDA-approved or in the original packaging.
• Make sure you are asked for a prescription when ordering your lenses. Vendors are required by law to distribute contact lenses as prescribed by your doctor.
• Never buy or wear contacts that were prescribed to someone else, have been used by someone else, or are implied to be a “universal fit” or “one size fits all.”

With a little planning and a trip to your optometrist, special-effect contact lenses can be a fun and safe addition to your Halloween costume. Happy Halloween.

Dr. Jeff Pinkerton
I care for you.