Happy Halloween! Ohhoohoohoo yes it is time for goblins and ghouls and ghosts, the bite of autumn air in the evening...my favorite time of year! I say that every season but, hey, it's good to be happy with the present.
With the change of season comes a lot of excitement, some of which can involve your eyes, so,
super fast rundown.
- Jumping in leaf piles and get something in your eye? Rinse and call your vision health provider asap.
- Eye-wear winter care: DO NOT leave your eye-wear in the car, window, garage or anywhere else cold (or extremely hot), it will kill them. You won't be happy, neither will your pocket book, so keep 'em comfy.
- With the cold air outside and hot, dry air inside, it is dry eye prime time. Keep an humidifier going if you can, and keep a good, doctor recommended brand of lubricating eye drops to keep you happy and itch free. Not the stuff that gets the red out, that is never good for your eyes, just some tears to counter additional evaporation of your natural tears.
SO, back to Halloween. Dressing up this year? Going all out?? If so there are a few things to look out for.
First, if you are wearing makeup on your face (or hands, which tend to go on your face) make sure you pick the right stuff. Look for hypo-allergenic makeup with color additives that are approved by the FDA (check the label ingredients on the FDA website). There is some nasty stuff out there. If you can, try not to get makeup close to your eyelids, but for makeup near the eyes make sure to use a good quality brand that is only for use around the eyes like eyeliners and shadows. If needed, brands that say "safe for contacts" on the label is always a good thing.
Next, take care to be safe while wearing masks or rough materials that could cause bonks or abrasions on the eye (or other people's eyes). Keep a sharp eye out for flying weapons and other props that could be a tad too sharp up close.
Last, and here's the fun part, Halloween Contacts Lenses! 0_o These guys are a riot, I've had lots of fun wearing them myself. Colored contacts come in many shapes and names. Colored, Halloween, Special-effect, Theatrical or Novelty contact lenses refer to contacts that are dyed and/or custom hand painted to create unusual looks (and reactions) that are the final touch to your costume. Grief, wear a t shirt and blue jeans and you'll still win with these things, they're awesome.
There are a few different types:Regular Halloween lenses are the most readily available and come in an endless variety of colors and designs. From basic colors, to animal or alien eyes, to patterns or even neon/black light (rave) lenses. They cover the iris (colored part of your eye) and usually have a clear pupil for normal vision.
Circle lenses are larger than the natural iris and produce a doll like, or Anime effect. Almost like doe's eyes. Super cute! :)
Last are Scleral contacts, ones that cover the whole front of your eye, including the white Sclera. These are usually black, red or white though they are often available in dragon, blood shot and other spooky designs. These are particularly unnerving because of how unnatural or inhuman they look. Yiiiikes! These guys are a little less comfortable and a tad more expensive, but they are sure worth it if you can get them. Make sure to take extra precautions in following wear and care instructions.When wearing decorative contacts there is a certain threat of infection and other risks from improper use, so follow the tips below to enjoy your haunted festivities while wearing them.
Get an Rx: Contact lenses (even Halloween lenses) are considered medical devices by the FDA, and require a valid prescription from a licensed eye care professional. And for good reason! Contact lenses are not one size fits all. If you are not fitted properly for contacts you increase your risk of several health and vision problems including infection, corneal ulcers, damage or even permanent loss of vision (Scary huh?? It is Halloween after all). Therefore, you MUST see your eye doctor and discuss wearing the contacts and receive a prescription to purchase them.
Eye and Lens Care: Once you have those perfectly fitted perfectly legal perfectly awesome special-effect contact lenses, you must take care of them. Your Doc will go over with you how to take care of the lenses, and your eyes when you wear them. This includes washing, storing, correct solutions, as well as lens wearing time. Please follow these directions, they will prolong the life of your contacts and keep your eyes happy and healthy. Following the Doc's orders is usually a good idea, right? Yes indeed! So be careful not to wear them too long, and especially not overnight, that is a big NO unless recommended by your doctor.
Be Selfish: Despite what you were taught in school....DO NOT SHARE YOUR CONTACTS LENSES OR DOOM WILL SURELY BEFALL YOU! Ok, maybe not that fast but it's super sketchy to share you contacts lenses. It can spread bacteria and infection, plus that person does not have an Rx for you contacts (illegal) so keep those things to your own eyeballs. :)Wear Time: We already mentioned not wearing your contacts overnight (don't do it!!!) but it is worth mentioning again, along with the fact that these are not long wear or long term contacts. Usually it is best to wear them around 4-6 hours (or as directed by our doctor) because they do restrict oxygen and stress your eyes. I can tell you that after a few hours wearing mine I'm smiling and waiving while thinking "Get these razor disks out of my eye sockets!!". Though they are much better now than when I wore them a few years ago, you still need to be careful and listen to your eyes (and the doc).
Take 'em out!: There are a few warning signs that can lead to infection, so keep an EYE out (hehe) for these. If you experience any redness, swelling, crusting or puss (ack!) or discomfort including itchiness, remove your contacts immediately and check with your doctor as soon as possible.
Oh and one more note: These things are not meant to last forever. Though it is super tempting to keep them and wear them next year (guilty) they DO expire, as well as grow bacteria and other stuff you do not want to be in your eye a year later. Keep them for a few uses, usually 1-3 months (per brand/labeling/doc recommendation) and toss them in the bin. They're a blast while it lasts, but all good things must come to an end, folks. Keep it short and swee...er...scary.SO. Hopefully you should be ready to put the finishing touches on this year's costume. If you have any more questions about eye safe makeup or Halloween contact lenses, or to obtain the lenses (or a prescription for them, which is essential, right? Right?) give us a call at #785-749-2020 or visit our website http://lawrencefamilyvision.com. Or just stop in for a visit, we're always happy to see you!
Be safe this fall season, and have a Happy Halloween!
I got lots if information from this website, along with others I've found in the past while preparing to wear my own theatrical contact lenses.
http://www.allaboutvision.com/contacts/theatrical.htm#news2
