New Orleans is famous for costuming. Locals will put on a costume for all sorts of occasions from football games to Mardi Gras parades and of course Halloween. We take pride in making elaborate costumes including every little detail. But, I would like to draw your attention to Costume Contact Lenses.
It is one of final touches to many costumes…Costume Contact Lenses. They can finish your tiger costume with tiger eyes for an LSU game or even draw attention to blood shot zombie eyes for halloween. On a simple level, you can even by lenses that can make your eyes blue instead of brown. But, even though they may seem like innocent decorative accessories, they can cause damage to your eyes.
Contact Lenses are definitely not “One Size Fits All” and thus it is important to see an eye doctor (ophthalmologist or optometrist) to measure your eyes for lenses that will fit properly. In addition, the doctor will check to make sure that your eyes are responding correctly the lenses. Lenses that do not fit well can cause serious eye damage such as:
- scratches on the cornea (the clear dome of tissue over the iris—the part of the eye that gives you your eye color)
- corneal infection (an ulcer or sore on the cornea)
- conjunctivitis (pink eye)
- decreased vision
- blindness
Did you know that stores that sell contacts that are sold over-the-counter without a prescription are actually breaking the law? Contact Lenses are not like makeup, they are actually medical devices regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
So, before you go on the internet and purchase those really neat vampire glowing contact lenses, check with your eye doctor first. It may save your eyes.
