Protect your eyes

It's now the time of year for the annual Halloween warnings on the danger of cosmetic contact lenses http://www.whptv.com/news/local/story/Halloween-contact-lenses-could-leave-you-blind/RqwGP43Nk0u294GxMjD9fw.cspx?rss=50. The first to issue such a warning is the Pennsylvania Departments of Health and State who warned that it was against the law to sell decorative cosmetic lenses without a prescription and that using unfitted lenses could pose a serious health risk. This is a message that is well worth repeating as no one wants to hear of major eye health problems all because you want to look scary for a night. This alert somewhat pales alongside another medical alert on the dangers on these shores on bonfire night, this time from a new type of firework that left several people blind last year. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/10/121003083035.htm?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fmost_popular+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Most+Popular+News%29 Major concerns were raised in a letter in the British Medical Journal that pointed out that 'rope banger deer scarers' were being cut down and thrown when lit. As they're not actually fireworks they appear to be exempt from legislation. Organisers of firework events are being called on to encourage safe handling of fireworks as well as encouraging eye protection, not to mention stopping people throwing explosive devices at other people. So there you have it, two very different dangers to the eyes, both with potentially blinding consequences if not handled properly.