Novelty contact lenses are increasingly popular with Australian revellers, particularly at Halloween. These funky accessories can simply change your eye colour, or, if you're after a more striking effect, you could up with the illusion of feline or reptilian eyes. Unfortunately, novelty contact lenses are not as innocuous as you may think. Learn more about the risks from these lenses, and find out what you need to do if you want to wear them safely.
Myths about novelty contact lenses
Novelty contact lenses may seem harmless enough, but one of the problems facing unwitting consumers is that there isn't enough information and awareness of the risks faced when you wear them. Some common misconceptions are that:
- Funky lenses can also help your eyesight. These devices are generally entirely decorative and cannot correct your vision.
- Novelty lenses are cosmetics. These accessories are actually regulated medical devices. In fact, in some states, you can only legally buy the lenses with an optometrist's prescription.
- One size fits all. You cannot assume that anyone can wear any pair. There are various styles, sizes and types of lens available.
Of course, part of the problem is that it's often easy to get hold of novelty lenses over the counter or online. Very often, consumers don't get the information they need to wear novelty lenses safely.
Risks and possible injuries
Novelty contact lenses can cause serious injuries. One teenaged girl from NSW lost the vision in one eye because she borrowed and wore a pair of lenses from a friend. In doing so, the girl caught an infection that had devastating consequences.
In many cases, the risk of infection from novelty contact lenses is higher than regular lenses simply because wearers don't take as much care when wearing them. One study found that the risk of keratitis (a serious eye infection) is 16 times higher when you wear these lenses. What's more, people often wear the lenses longer than they should. You should only wear some of these lenses once, but revellers may use them several times, increasing the risk of infection and injury.
When an eye professional supplies you with regular contact lenses, he or she will also make sure the lens is suitable for your eyes. An optometrist will also supply you with the right care solution. Without this sort of advice and help, novelty lens wearers often use the wrong products, further increasing the risk of injury.
You may also not realize that you have a pre-existing ocular condition. For example, you may have an eye infection that you are unaware of. If you then wear novelty lenses without the care of an optometrist, you could worsen the problem.
Using novelty lenses safely
To wear novelty contact lenses safely, you must take certain precautions.
First, you must ask an optometrist to carry out a thorough eye examination. He or she can look for any problematic pre-existing conditions, and where necessary, give you the prescription you need to buy the lenses. If the optometrist tells you not to wear these lenses, don't ignore his or her advice.
An optometrist can also show you how to wear the lenses safely. Make sure you get the right care solution, and follow any other instructions that the optometrist gives you. What's more, if you get any adverse symptoms (such as sore eyes), stop wearing the lenses immediately and seek medical advice.
Choose your retailer carefully. Avoid novelty shops and websites where the retailer does not ask you for a prescription, as this will make it clear that the retailer has no qualification to handle and sell these products. Many optometrists now sell novelty lenses. They may also tell you where you can safely source your lenses.
Novelty lenses look great, but if you get a serious eye infection, you could face permanent eyesight problems. For more information, contact a local eye clinic like Family Eyecare.
