5 Scary Eye Habits

Oct 5, 2020

Halloween may be a spooky (and fun!) time of year, but don’t let the fall season lead you to practice scary eye habits. We’ve compiled five things you should avoid this season for healthier eyes and vision.

 

1. Don’t wear Halloween contact lenses.

Ghoulish costume contact lenses are growing in popularity. However, non-prescription lenses are illegal to sell in the United States, and put your eyes at risk for infection, lacerations, and vision loss. If you are interested in enhancing your eyes, visit your regular eye care provider to discuss whether prescription colored lenses may be right for you. Even if you don’t require refractive error correction, a prescription ensures that the contacts fit your eye, oxygen will reach your cornea, and that you will receive a sterilized, FDA-approved medical device. 

 

2. Always follow post-op instructions.

If youve recently had eye surgery, follow our instructions for a safe recovery. Many think that once they’re out of the surgery room, they are good to go. Wrong! Post-op instructions and care are crucial for healthy results. Without them, you risk slowing down the healing process or harming your eyes. Follow all post-op instructions religiously until your doctor explicitly says you can return to normal activities!

 

3. Do not smoke.

Smoking negatively impacts all aspects of your health—including your eye health! If you are smoking, you put your eyes at risk for numerous health conditions, like cataracts, dry eye, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration. Plus, smoke and chemicals in vape pens can irritate your eyes.

 

4. Wear safe makeup and practice good makeup hygiene.

When it comes to makeup, there are many ways you can damage your eyes. Wearing expired or old eye makeup, like mascara, is a breeding ground for bacteria. During the Halloween season, beware of costume makeup. Some makeup contains materials that are not FDA-approved or are non-makeup-grade. These can lead to infection, corneal scratches, and irritation. Never share eye makeup with a friend and always wash makeup off before heading to bed to avoid infection or irritation.

 

5. Don’t skip eye protection in the fall.

Just because it’s colder outside doesn’t mean that it’s safe to skip eye protection! Harmful UV rays are at work no matter the temperature. Always don a pair of sunglasses when you head outside during the day. It will reduce your risk of sustaining UV damage.

 

With these tips in mind, you can keep your eyes healthy and well all season long. If you have any questions or if you are ready to improve your vision, contact Columbus Laser and Cataract Center at 614-939-1600 today!