Seven Eye Care Tips To Protect Your Vision At Halloween

Halloween is upon us, and it’s normal to do the most when coming up with costume ideas. There’s always that urge to make an impression, whether it’s playing little pranks, or startling your friends with what you’ve got on your face.

However, the spirit of the season can sometimes overlook eye health. From decorative contact lenses to makeup and props, there are hidden risks that can harm your eyes if you’re not careful. Let's unmask some essential eye care tips to ensure your Halloween vision remains crystal clear, amidst all the frightful fun.

1. Beware of glitter: Sure enough, glitter may add a magical touch, but it can also be dangerous. Tiny particles can fall into your eyes, causing irritation or even scratching your cornea. If you can’t resist the sparkle, apply it well away from your eyelids and lashes.
2. Watch out for allergies: Halloween costumes and decorations often involve materials that can trigger allergies or sensitivities. Keep your eyes safe by planning ahead. Stored decorations and costumes can accumulate dust, which may trigger eye allergies. Clean them before use, and if you have a history of eye sensitivities, use allergy drops or antihistamines to prevent irritation.
3. Avoid costumes that obstruct your vision: Does your outfit for Halloween involve masks or heavy lashes? If you are using either of those, you may want to do a costume test run to make sure you can get into your outfit easily to avoid obstruction to your vision. If you are driving to places in your Halloween costume, you should avoid wearing wigs or accessories that may obstruct your vision. If you are wearing contact lenses, make sure you can see clearly while wearing them, otherwise it would be dangerous to drive on the road. As far as masks go, ensure that they don’t block your peripheral vision, and that there’s enough room around your eyes to see clearly.
4. Avoid carrying sharp props: When wearing certain costumes, you should be aware of props such as swords, hooks or wands, as they are sharp and can easily cause injuries. It’s even more dangerous when there are children in the mix. Handle props carefully to avoid accidental pokes or hits to the eyes, and avoid playing with them in crowded areas.
5. Stay visible in low light: Most trick-or-treating happens at night, and low-light conditions can increase the risk of accidents or injuries. Add reflective tape to your costume or carry a flashlight to help drivers and others see you more clearly.
6. Be careful when using contact lenses: Decorative contact lenses are a popular Halloween accessory, turning your eyes into a vampire’s red glare or a cat’s glowing green. However, they can pose serious risks if not used properly. Even if you don't need vision correction, decorative lenses require a proper fitting from an eye care professional. Never buy them over-the-counter or online without a prescription. If you’re using reusable lenses, clean and store them according to the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid infections. Sharing contact lenses with others, even if they are just for costume purposes, can spread bacteria and lead to serious eye infections.
7. Remove your makeup properly: After a fun night out, it is easy to forget to take your makeup off especially after a long day, but keeping it on overnight can cause irritation. It is also not good for your skin, so you need to wash it off thoroughly before you head to sleep. You should also remove your contact lenses with clean hands to minimise risk of infection. If you don’t take off your makeup and you wear mascara to sleep, it leads to concretion which creates solid masses that form underneath the eyelids. This can lead to eye pain and irritation, and if it is left untreated, this can lead to blindness.

Whatever activities you plan to indulge in during the Halloween activities, it’s important to be conscious of your eye health. As you get lost in the booby traps and strut around in all that fabric, treat your eyes to all the care that they deserve; you don’t want your vision playing tricks on you when the season runs its course.