Fall is here! Though eye safety is important all year, around the fall holidays parties and traditions can pose some special ocular hazards for you and your loved ones. Many eye injuries or ailments occur every year during October, and unfortunately, most are preventable. To help keep your vision sharp and safe this month, we want to share our spooktacular eye care tips!
Our Fall Eye Care Tips
1. Say No to Over-The-Counter Contacts
Contacts are sometimes just what you need to take your look to the next level, and since October is Contact Safety Month, we want to take time to inform you about the risks of costume contacts.
Contacts are medical devices, even if used only to change the color of your eyes. If you want costume contacts, please schedule an appointment and get a prescription for them. Without a prescription, your contacts may not fit your eye and put you at risk of injury and eye damage. Common injuries and conditions associated with improper contacts and contact care include dry eye, corneal infections, corneal abrasions, conjunctivitis, infection, and vision loss.
It is currently illegal within the U.S to sell contacts without requiring a prescription. If you see contacts in a costume shop, don’t buy them! Contacts are not made equal, and contacts that do not require a prescription are often NOT FDA approved and may be made of inferior materials or contain harmful chemicals.
If you do purchase prescription costume contacts, here are some good contact care rules to keep in mind:
- Clean your contacts properly in an appropriate and unexpired contact cleaning solution
- Do not borrow or share contact lenses
- Remember to remove them before going to bed
- Store your contact lenses in a clean case and replace the case every 3 months
- Wash your hands before handling or touching contacts
2. Choose Your Makeup Wisely
When you are getting ready for your night out, choose your makeup wisely. Costume makeup can sometimes be of questionable quality, including glitter. It is generally not safe to put costume makeup near the eyes as it can cause infection or injury if the products enter your eye. Instead, use only professional cosmetic products designed for use around the eyes. Do not apply products that are untested, contain harsh chemicals, or have loose particulars that may fall into your eye. Don’t share makeup or makeup brushes with anyone and remember to remove your makeup at the end of the night before going to bed.
3. Be Mindful of Masks and Props
Masks and props are often a big part of costumes, especially for children. Make sure if you or a loved one is going out in a full costume that your vision is not obstructed by your masks or face covering of any kind and that any props that could get in the way are pinned securely in place. Any handheld props such as swords and sabers should not be sharp, as soft flexible props minimize the risk of injury.
We Can Help!
If you want to use costume contacts, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with us. We are happy to answer any questions you may have about how to protect your eyes this October while you enjoy the start of the holiday season. For more information or to schedule your appointment, contact Optik Birmingham today.
