Halloween can be a scary time of year for some of us in the eyecare field. Our patients are excited to get creative with their costumes and makeup, but within their reach are products that can cause harm to their eyes. I decided to write this blog hoping that it will be useful to those who will be purchasing or applying costume contact lenses and Halloween makeup this year.
(In case you are curious, we are also dressing up for Halloween and are excited to wear these shirts we just ordered)
Obtaining colored/ costume contact lenses online without a prescription bypasses an important health evaluation. All contact lenses, including decorative/colored contact lenses, must be prescribed by a doctor. The lens must be viewed on the eye to make sure that it properly fits. A poor-fitting lens can scratch the eye, which makes an eye infection more likely to happen.
Not all colored contact lenses are created equal.
The location of the pigment on the lens matters. Pigment that is on the surface of the lens can lead to a rougher, less lubricated lens surface.
Toxic chemicals like chlorine may be used to color contact lenses.
The pigment in some lenses may rub off and increase microbial adherence and the likelihood of an eye infection.
Many counterfeit and unapproved decorative contact lenses were found to be contaminated with harmful microorganisms. There was a case report published in 2017 that noted that 60% of the counterfeit lenses and 27% of the unapproved lenses examined by the Forensic Chemistry Center of the U.S. FDA tested positive for microbial contamination. The FDA has a list of contact lenses that are allowed to be sold in the United States. Be wary of lenses sold in beauty or novelty stores, gas stations, and flea markets.
Kohl, kajal, and surma are not FDA approved color additives.
Cosmetic products containing kohl have been linked to lead poisoning, and the FDA warns that some companies falsely market their kohl-containing cosmetics as FDA approved. A list of approved color additives in cosmetics, can be found at https://www.fda.gov/industry/color-additive-inventories/summary-color-additives-use-united-states-foods-drugs-cosmetics-and-medical-devices .
Some Halloween makeup should not be used on eyes. D&C Orange No. 5, No. 10, and No. 11; D&C Red No. 21, No. 22, No. 27 and No. 28; and D&C Yellow No. 7. These are fluorescent colors not to be used near the eyes.
Craft glitter and cosmetic glitter are not the same, and watch out for that adhesive!
Craft glitter has rougher cuts and can be made with dyes not approved for the skin. Also note that adhesive is used when applying cosmetic glitter. Check out the ingredients on that glue to make sure it doesn't contain skin irritants.
I'm curious what everyone will be dressing up as this year. Please make it a night of fun but not a morning of regret. We would like to see all of your costumes. Post your Halloween costume with the hashtag #eyesonqueencreek and a little blurb about what you took away from this article, and you get a complimentary Optomap retinal imaging (the creepy but very informative retinal screening worth $30) at your next eye exam at our office. We will award our favorite costume with a $50 Shell gas card.
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