Halloween eye safety

Halloween is right around the corner, bringing with it an opportunity to create the best costume on the block or at the party. Before you get too deep into planning and buying all the spooky outfits, remember these safety tips to keep your eyes away from a scary situation! 

Contact Lenses 

Secondhand contact lenses can be the scariest part of Halloween, even if they’re handled properly. If they are not prescription lenses, they are probably not the right fit for your eyes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, themed contact lenses can cause eye scratches, eye sores and infections – turning the memory of Halloween night into something truly frightening. If contact lenses are an absolute must for a costume, check with your optometrist for safe, customized options. 

Masks 

Whether it’s a friendly cartoon ghost or a much more chilling goblin, masks of all kinds can cause issues on Halloween, especially for children. Some masks, even when worn correctly, can cover the corners of the eyes. This can cause problems with peripheral vision, especially in the dark. Make sure the mask does not obscure any area of sight before purchasing. Be wary of eye patches, too – having only one eye covered can lead to issues with balance and depth perception, particularly for younger children. Consider leaving the eye patch off if the trick-or-treating route will be filled with curbs, cracks, bumps or other hazards that will also hurt balance.  

Makeup 

Halloween lends itself to plenty of great makeup uses, but it can easily spiral out of control! Even though it may be tempting, makeup should not be worn inside the eyelash line. The extra little bit of pizzaz added is not worth the risk for irritation and dryness that can make Halloween night a painful one. 

Stay away from face glitter. Tiny plastic particles from glitter may fly into the eye, causing irritation and pain. Dyes from glitter, when worn on or near the eyelids, can also seep onto the surface of the eyeball. Some craft glitters not meant for cosmetic use may also contain sharp pieces of glass or metal, which are a dangerous poking risk around the eyes. 

Like contact lenses, many Halloween eyelashes are not up to safety. If you are considering adding eyelashes to a costume, check with your licensed aesthetician for a pair of safe eyelashes to compliment the look!  

Props 

What do wands, swords, hooks, knives and axes all have in common? They are all costume props that pose a danger to the eyes due to sharp edges. Even seemingly safe plastic can cause irritation and scarring in the eyes. For younger children, pointy props should be avoided in all situations. Preteens and adolescents may find foam props to be a safer (but just as fun!) alternative to traditional plastic or wood props. 

As always, if you use prescription glasses, make sure to wear a costume that allows you to wear those as well! The crowded sidewalks and nighttime trick-or-treating mean those who normally wear glasses should wear them on Halloween.

By following these tips, the most frightening part of Halloween can be the costumes – and not eye problems that may result from scary situations!