Novelty Halloween lenses could result in sight loss, warns the British Contact Lens Association (BCLA).
Coloured contact lenses, made popular by smash hit TV series and films including Twilight, increase the risk of corneal ulcers and infections as they are often shared around among friends.
President of the British Contact Lens Association Brian Tompkins said: ‘By sharing coloured contact lenses young people are playing Russian roulette with their eye health and putting their sight at risk. Wearing fancy lenses might make you look cool for one night on Halloween but losing your sight could be a lifelong horror story.’
Customers have been advised that cosmetic coloured lenses are a medical device and should only be purchased from a registered practitioner.
Tompkins added: ‘Cosmetic lenses found in fashion retail outlets, market stalls and from unregistered online sellers are distributed on a one size fits all basis. To minimise the risks of infection and ongoing eye health issues, it is essential that all lenses are individually prescribed by a fully qualified professional.’
