Cosmetic lenses cancelled

Halloween party cancellations could lead to a reduction in the number of eye infections caused by novelty contact lenses, the British Contact Lens Association (BCLA) said.

It highlighted that the lenses have been blamed for these cases at this time of year and that eye care practitioners hoped the lenses would fall out of fashion because of the pandemic.

Luke Stevens-Burt, chief executive of the BCLA, said: ‘The mass cancelling of parties and organised events may well result in someone’s sight being saved, but we cannot rely on this alone. The risk is reduced and not eliminated.’

The BCLA and the Association for Independent Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians have partnered to produce an infographic that highlights the dangers of buying cosmetic lenses from unregistered sellers.