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Medical warning over popular Halloween accessory

With Halloween coming up, a reminder to never buy this popular costume accessory over the counter.
Halloween costume

Halloween costume

Vampire eyes are the perfect way to top off your Halloween costume, or give your cat suit that authentic addition it needs.

But decorative contact lenses sold online and over the counter have been known to cause serious injury, according to a warning by the American Food & Drug Administration.

According to their website, these lenses, if not fitted by a trained eye doctor, can cause scratches on the cornea, corneal infection, conjunctivitis, decreased vision and even blindness.

Last year, 16-year-old Leah Carpenter from the US went partially blind in her right eye after wearing zombie contact lenses for Halloween. She damaged her cornea and as a result has been left with impaired vision for life.

The FDA advises you should never buy contact lenses from the following places:

  • Street vendors

  • Salons or beauty supply stores

  • Boutiques

  • Flea markets

  • Novelty shops

  • Halloween stores

  • Record stores

  • Convenience stores

  • Beach shops

  • Gas stations

  • Internet sites

If you want to buy any kind of contact lenses you should always get an eye exam from a licensed optician. You’ll receive a prescription and instructions on how to use your contact lenses, including how to clean them correctly.

If you do wear contact lenses and experience redness, eye pain or a decrease in vision, see your doctor immediately.

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