All you need to know about decorative contact lenses
What are decorative contact lenses?
Decorative contact lenses are medical devices used to enhance the look of your eyes. Though they only change the look of your eyes and do not rectify your vision, an eye exam, a prescription, and proper lens care are essential.
Decorative contact lenses are sometimes termed as:
- Fashion contact lenses
- Halloween contact lenses
- Color contact lenses
- Cosmetic contact lenses
- Theatrical contact lenses
Can decorative contact lenses harm your eyes?
Using decorative contact lenses may cause issues if not handled properly, just like the contact lenses that rectify your vision.
The risks of not using decorative contact lenses correctly include:
- A scratch or cut on the top layer of your eyeball is known as “corneal abrasion.”
- Allergic reactions like itchy and watery red eyes
- Decreased vision
- Infection
- Blindness
Also, if you are wearing any decorative contact lenses you got without a prescription, even if they seem okay, they still could be causing harm to your eyes.
What you need to know before the usage of decorative contact lenses:
If you are planning on wearing cosmetic contact lenses such as Dailies Total 1, even if only for a special event, you need to make sure that you:
Get an eye exam and regular check-ups
1. Get an eye exam and regular check-ups: The fit of your contact lenses is crucial. A wrong fit can cause discomfort and severe damage to your eyes. Be sure to always go for your follow-up eye exams.
Get a prescription without fail.
2. Get a prescription without fail: Your eye doctor or ophthalmologist will write you a prescription for all contact lenses, including decorative ones. The medicine should have the brand name, accurate lens measurements, and expiration date.
Know how to care for your decorative contact lenses
3. Know how to care for your decorative contact lenses: Follow the instructions for using, cleaning, and disinfecting the solution with your cosmetic contact lenses. If you do not receive education, ask your eye doctor for them.
Only buy contact lenses from a company requiring you to provide the prescription.
4. Only buy contact lenses from a company requiring you to provide the prescription and sell approved contact lenses, such as Hidrocor Rio: Anyone selling decorative contact lenses must get your medication and verify it with your eye doctor or ophthalmologist. It is also essential to receive decorative contact lenses that match your prescription and suit your conditions and issues.
Remove your contact lenses if your eyes turn red or you have ongoing pain.
5. Remove your contact lenses and call your eye doctor right away if your eyes turn red or have ongoing pain or discharge: Redness, pain in the eyes or discharge from your eyes are signs of an infection that the contact lenses would have caused. If you think you have an eye infection from your decorative contact lenses, remove them and see a licensed eye doctor (ophthalmologist or optometrist) right away! An eye infection could potentially become severe and cause damage to your eyes.
Remember—purchasing decorative contact lenses without a prescription is dangerous. Moreover, it will lead to severe consequences that cannot be treated.
There are a lot of products in the market that you can buy without a prescription, but they are probably not legal or safe. Furthermore, never purchase decorative contact lenses from a beauty supply store, street vendor, flea market, novelty store, or an unauthorized store. Also, never share your decorative contact lenses or the box with anyone else.