Keeping the Eyes on your Health

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - Wednesday’s Health Watch 10 focuses in on a popular Halloween trend that could impact your eye health.

Halloween is here, and many of you are putting the finishing touches on your costumes.

And for some of you, that may include decorative contact lenses.

While these lenses can make you look more like a cat or vampire, if you don't wear them properly, they could do serious damage to your eyes.

The Eye Center at UAP Clinic in Terre Haute said the biggest thing to remember is that contact lenses are not a "one size fits all" product.

The curvature of your eyes and the tightness of your eyelids make a difference in how they fit you.

So, after making sure the lenses actually fit your eye, you need to remember to handle them with care or face some serious issues.

"The biggest risk is infection. If they don't disinfect or they're not fitting properly and if, for someone who's never worn contacts before, if they put a Halloween lens in and wear it all day, they may end up with some irritation and possibly an ulcer which could cause some permanent scarring," said Dr. Carol Heine with the UAP Clinic Eye Center.

Also, remember to never sleep in decorative contact lenses and don't share them with others.

If you'd like to find a pair to go with your Halloween costume, UAP suggests going to your optometrist or eye care provider so they can fit you with a lens that'll give you that spooky flair you're looking for while also making sure your eyes stay safe.