From Wills Eye Hospital, A Warning About Halloween Costume Contact Lenses
By Lynne Adkins
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Halloween treats can turn to nasty tricks unless you're careful.
Emergency room visits spike around Halloween, according to Dr. Ann Murchison, co-director of the emergency department at Wills Eye Hospital.
She says a major problem this time of year comes from wearing non-prescription contact lenses to change the color or shape of the eye.
"This can lead to not only a lot of discomfort but eye infection and contact lenses that have to be retrieved by a doctor in the emergency room," she warns, "and I think people are just not aware that contact lenses bought from a vendor down the street or over the Internet without a prescription are hazardous to their health."
She says to make sure masks fit properly around the eyes, and warns to never share makeup or put it too close to the eye.
If your eyes feel irritated, are red, swollen, or if there is a change in vision, she advises, see a doctor right away.
