Halloween-Themed Contact Lenses: Prescription Needed Due To Health Concerns

Time is running out to get that Halloween costume ready. Before the holiday rolls around, doctors are issuing a warning for shoppers.

Halloween-themes colored contact lenses are popular among folks looking to spice up their costumes.

“They’ve got a wow! factor,” said Dr. Terry Blair, an optometrist with the University Vision Centre in West El Paso.

“People come once or twice a week looking for the contacts,” said Jeff Corbin, the manager at a “Halloween Express” superstore. Customers won’t find the lenses in stock, however. “we don’t carry them because (the contacts) are required to have a prescription and we are obviously not medical professionals to provide that prescription.”

Dr. Blair told ABC-7 that the over-the-counter, one-size-fits-all lenses in question can be a hleath hazard. “Everyone’s cornea is not the same size, not the same shape. You’re just taking a chance, you’re playing russian roulette. Some you get bacterial eye infections and if they are not treated properly they can lead to a corneal ulcer, which can be a very serious vision-threatening condition,” he said. “By law you have to have a contact lens fitting by a doctor you have to have a prescription to purchase the contacts.”

However, ABC-7 discovered at least one vendor in downtown El Paso selling Halloween-themed contact lenses without asking customers for prescriptions. The store had two kinds in stock, with each pair going for about 25 dollars.

Customers were asked to sign a waiver before buying the contact lenses, but did not have to present a prescription. “That’s illegal and you can have some serious problems,” said Dr. Blair.

Dr. Blair said themed contact lenses can be perfectly safe for consumers, as long as they are custom-fitted by a professional.