| Halloween contacts can add a lot of impact to your | | | | Quality special effect contacts are comfortable for |
| Halloween costume. People who wear corrective | | | | most people. In fact, if the lens is properly fitted, you |
| contact lenses often experiment with costume lenses | | | | shouldn't feel it at all. Soft contact lenses don't have |
| as well. But if you don't wear contacts on an everyday | | | | any adjustment period and generally feel comfortable |
| basis, would Halloween costume lenses be safe and | | | | in your eyes straight away. However, if you don't |
| comfortable for you? | | | | wear contact lenses every day, you might want to |
| What are Halloween contacts lenses? | | | | order your costume contacts in advance and wear |
| Halloween lenses, also called costume or theatrical | | | | them for a few hours each day, several days before |
| lenses, are soft contact lenses with a layer of color | | | | the party. |
| embedded in them. Top quality costume lenses are | | | | Costume lenses might get a bit less comfortable as |
| produced by the companies that also manufacture | | | | the day goes on. The reason is that they can't be as |
| ordinary (corrective) contact lenses. To ensure that | | | | thin as clear corrective lenses - the opaque color layer |
| painted special effect lenses are safe, manufacturers | | | | adds extra thickness - so the lens doesn't let enough |
| use special paints that don't irritate the delicate surface | | | | oxygen get to your eyes. It is recommended not to |
| of your eye. | | | | wear them for longer than 8 hours. And you should |
| There are hundreds of different designs: cat's eyes, | | | | always take them out before going to bed. |
| snake eyes, spirals, white-out and black-out lenses, | | | | Do I need doctor's prescription to get special effect |
| banshee, vampire red, and many more besides. | | | | lenses? |
| Most costume lenses are completely opaque, to hide | | | | It might sound silly, but you do. Corrective or not, |
| your real eye color, with a clear center so you can | | | | costume lenses are medical devices, and even though |
| see. A few designs, like white-out, which creates an | | | | most people can wear them without problems, you |
| effect of blind eyes, are completely opaque, though, so | | | | should consult your eye doctor and get a prescription. |
| it is recommended to that you wear them only one at | | | | Also ask the doctor how to put your costume lenses |
| a time. | | | | in and take them out. All brand name special effect |
| The majority of theatrical contact lenses are round in | | | | contacts come with clear instructions, about putting |
| shape (like corrective lenses) and cover only your iris. | | | | them in and taking them out, but it takes a bit of |
| However, there is also a type of lens, called scleral, | | | | practice. |
| that covers the entire visible surface of your eye. | | | | Where can I get Halloween costume contact lenses? |
| Scleral lenses are used only for special effects (not | | | | After getting your prescription comes the time to buy |
| for correction) and usually cost a bit more than round | | | | your lenses. You can order them through the doctors |
| ones. Sclerals are also more difficult to put in. | | | | office, but this is the most expensive option. You would |
| Are costume contact lenses comfortable? | | | | save a lot if you purchased your Halloween lenses |
| Yes, if you select the lenses that are right for you. To | | | | from an online contact lens retailer instead. Just make |
| make sure that your lenses are safe and comfortable, | | | | sure that the shop is reputable and specializes on |
| you should only go for quality brand name special | | | | contact lenses, not just Halloween costumes. |
| effect lenses. Currently the most popular costume | | | | If you are wondering if it is all too much trouble, I would |
| lenses on the market are Wild Eyes, manufactured by | | | | say go for it. Without eyes to match, a costume just |
| Ciba Vision, and Crazy lenses, from Cooper vision. | | | | doesn't look complete. And the care isn't at all difficult - |
| Both brands are made from top quality materials, feel | | | | all it takes is a couple of minutes. Just follow the |
| comfortable in your eyes, and come in variety of | | | | doctor's instructions. |
| exciting designs. | | | | |