If you're planning to use cosmetic eye lenses as part of your latest Halloween costume this year, you may want to think twice according a group of concerned eye specialists.
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Cosmetic contact lenses, also known as decorative of novelty lenses, can be easily purchased online and allow a person to temporarily change the colour and dilation of their pupils.
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists president Stephen Best said people might think it was "a bit of a hoot to pick up these things for Halloween and look like Dracula" but they needed to realise they could cause permanent damage.
"Non-prescription decorative lenses could potentially damage eyes in several ways: scratches or corneal abrasions, corneal ulcers which can scar and permanently affect vision, serious infections known as keratitis, and in extreme cases cause blindness," he said.
"It's scary to think of all the people who might be buying non-prescription contact lenses this Halloween, only to end up with an infection that could damage their sight forever."
Back in 2007, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission issued a safety alert warning the lenses could result in eye harm ranging from mild infection to blindness.
The ACCC advised people to have a professional eye examination to identify any pre-existing conditions that may increase the likelihood of the lenses damaging eyes.
"These lenses may create a fun new look, but you should be aware that the surface of the eye is extremely delicate and can easily be harmed by introducing a foreign body onto it," it said.
Dr Best said the risk of using non-prescription contact lenses was not new although the risk was heightened during Halloween when many people unfamiliar with lenses used them for costumes.
In 2005, contact lenses were classified as medical devices in the United States with distribution restricted to licensed eye care professionals, which effectively banned the sale of non-prescription cosmetic lenses
Dr Best encouraged anyone wishing to wear cosmetic lenses for Halloween to buy them from an eye care professional who required prescription information for the lenses.
"Follow directions for cleaning, disinfecting, and wearing the lenses, and visit your eye care professional for follow-up eye exams," he said.
"If you notice redness, swelling, excessive discharge, pain or discomfort from wearing contact lenses, remove the lenses and seek immediate medical attention from an ophthalmologist."
Dr Best said most eye injuries could be treated provided quick action was taken.
