I learned that I needed glasses when I was about 9 years old. I remember getting an eye exam at school and?hearing the bad news. My mom took me in to see the Optometrist, who set me up with two pair of glasses. Think 1980’s thick plastic glasses – yuck! I couldn’t stand them. In fact, I hated them so much that I purposely lost the ugliest pair while I was sledding one winter. I finally talked my mom into contacts when I was in sixth grade.
My contacts were just basic clear ones that you kept for an entire year and cleaned every single day. Contacts have come a long way since then and now there are even contact lenses that define your eyes. Of course you can choose an entirely different color than your natural eyes too. The possibilities are endless.
Being a contact wearer myself for over 20 years, I’ve come to know and trust?the ACUVUE? brand. When it comes to putting something in my eyes, I only want the best.
With Halloween just around the corner, people are going to be wearing those special contacts to match their costumes such as vampire eyes, werewolf eyes and others like them. But it’s important to understand how to use contact lenses safely.?Below are tips from Mitchell Cassel, O.D., just in time for Halloween.
Halloween Tips
- A contact lens is a medical device, and all contact lenses, even purely cosmetic ones, require a prescription.
- Contact lenses are safe, comfortable and can totally transform your look, but they are not risk-free, especially if you don’t follow instructions about safe wear and care. If you are interested in wearing contact lenses as a part of your Halloween costume, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor.
- Your eye doctor will determine if you are a candidate for contact lenses, and if so, will teach you how to properly insert and remove your contacts.
- Never share contacts or wear another person’s lenses, and don?t wear lenses longer than the time frame recommended by your eye doctor.
- Never purchase contact lenses from a website or store that does not require a prescription from an eye doctor.
- If you plan to wear makeup with your Halloween costume, always insert your contact lenses first (after thoroughly washing your hands with soap and water, and drying them with a lint-free towel)
- At the end of Halloween festivities, washing your hands again and remove your contact lenses before taking off Halloween makeup.
- Remove lenses immediately if you experience any sensitivity, eye discomfort, vision changes, and redness of the eye or other problems and promptly contact your eye care professional.
- For more tips and information on contact lens compliance read “Healthy Vision & Contact Lenses” from Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. at www.acuvue.com/HealthyVisionCL.
Mitchell Cassel, O.D., Studio Optix, New York, New York. Dr. Cassel has created cosmetic contact lenses for Hollywood television and movies, including the Wolf of Wall Street, Black Swan, Fatal Attraction, Boardwalk Empire and Homeland.
Important Information for Contact Lens Wearers: ACUVUE? Brand Contact Lenses are available by prescription only for vision correction. An eye care professional will determine whether contact lenses are right for you. Although rare, serious eye problems can develop while wearing contact lenses. To help avoid these problems, follow the wear and replacement schedule and the lens care instructions provided by your eye doctor. Do not wear contact lenses if you have an eye infection, or experience eye discomfort, excessive tearing, vision changes, redness or other eye problems. If one of these conditions occurs, contact your eye doctor immediately. For more information on proper wear, care and safety, talk to your eye care professional and ask for a Patient Instruction Guide, call 1-800-843-2020 or visit Acuvue.com.
This post is sponsored by ACUVUE? Brand. I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission guidelines concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising.
