Don’t spook eyes with Halloween contacts

Harrisburg, PA-Decorative or cosmetic contact lenses sold without a prescription-such as those popular at Halloween-can pose a serious health risk.

That’s the word from the Pennsylvania health and state departments, which issued a joint warning reminding trick-or-treaters and their parents that federal and state law requires prescriptions for contact lenses. If contacts are not obtained with a prescription from a properly trained and licensed health-care professional, they can be dangerous.

“Contacts sold without a prescription at flea markets, costume shops, beauty salons, online, and other places can cause serious damage to your eyes from improper fit,” said Pennsylvania Department of Health Secretary Eli N. Avila, MD, JD, MPH, FCLM. “Every eye has its own unique shape and curvature, and many of these decorative lenses lack proper instruction for use.”

Parents whose children want to wear cosmetic or decorative contact lenses should heed this warning and consult a physician, Dr. Avila said.

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