Cosmetic contact lenses for Halloween no treat for the eyes, optometrists say

Red, swollen eyes or worse from wearing cosmetic contactlenses with a Halloween costumecan be a health fright, optometrists say.

People may not be aware of the serious and potentially harmful consequences cosmetic or non-corrective contact lenses can have on eye health, the Ontario Association of Optometrists said Monday.

People wear cosmetic contact lenses to change the colour or appearance of the eyes, including when wearing a Halloween costume.

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The risks of cosmetic or non-corrective contact lenses include:

• Blindness.
• Eye loss.
• Conjunctivitis.
• Corneal swelling.
• Allergic reactions.

In July, Health Canada said it will regulate cosmetic or decorativecontact lenses in the same way as corrective lenses.

Manufacturers have until July 2016 to comply. At that time, cosmetic contact lenses will face the same licensing, manufacturing, labelling, and instruction requirements to improve their safety before they go on sale, as other medical devices do.