SUNDAY, Oct. 25, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Halloween is risky enough this year with the coronavirus pandemic, so don't risk your vision as well by wearing costume contact lenses, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) says.
Costume contact lens packaging that claims "one-size-fits-all" or "no need to see an eye doctor" is false, the academy said.
Poorly fitted contact lenses can scrape the cornea (the outer layer of the eye), making the eye more vulnerable to bacteria and viruses that can cause infections.
People who buy contacts without a prescription have a 16-fold increased risk of developing an eye infection, research shows.
"As we follow new precautions to keep our families safe in this abnormal year, it's important not to forget about the normal hazards that can occur during Halloween," Dr. Dianna Seldomridge, a clinical spokesperson for the AAO, said in an academy news release. "Whatever you plan, please follow these tips to protect your eyes this Halloween."
More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on decorative contact lenses.
SOURCE: American Academy of Ophthalmology, news release, Oct. 13, 2020
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