From face makeup to colored contacts, Halloween costume accessories can pose serious risk of infection to the eyes. This month, the American Academy of Ophthalmology offers a list of Halloween Eye Safety Tips & Prevention聽to guide youth and adult young-at-heart Halloween goers through keeping their eyes safe as they perfect their costume:
- Steer clear of Over-The-Counter (OTC) costume eye contacts. Unprescribed, ill-fitting costume contacts can easily scratch the cornea, leading to bacterial or viral eye infection. Of greater consequence, unsterile contacts can contain toxic chemicals that seep into the eyes, placing the wearer at risk of vision loss, even blindness. Bottomline: It’s highly advised to skip the costume colored lenses for Halloween. The only safe way to protect your eyes is to get . Also focus on other parts of your costume to be a convincing zombie or werewolf!
- Follow AAO EyeSmart costume make-up tips. It’s not worth compromising your eye health with low-quality or unsafe costume make-up. Eye specialists offer several tips to guide those dressing up through .
- Read cosmetics product labels for precautions related to infection, and avoid products that contain untested or harsh chemicals.
- Infection-causing bacteria grow easily in creamy or liquid eye makeup. Before applying thin or thick liquid makeup, be sure your face, eyelids and hands applying make-up are very clean. Additionally, ensure are your application tools are clean. Regularly clean make-up application brushes and sponges.
- Avoid sharing eye any make-up products with others. Infectious bacteria in make-up spreads very easily, leading to infections such as pink eye.
- Throw away eye make-up after three months and buy new cosmetics to reduce the risk of infection. Purchase eye make-up directly from a reputable aesthetician, medical spa, pharmacy or retail store selling health/beauty products.
- Avoid over-the-counter eyelash extensions. Self-applied eyelash extensions purchased over-the-counter carry an increased risk of eye infection. To safely accessorize your Halloween costume with eyelash extensions, and ask him/her to test for lash-glue allergies before proceeding with application.
#HalloweenEyeSafetyMonth