Costume contact lenses can be a fun way to experiment with your appearance. But before you rush to buy a pair, it’s important to understand the risks. Today, your eye doctor answers some of the most common questions concerning costume contact lenses.
Costume contact lenses are contact lenses that are purely cosmetic (i.e., they don’t correct vision errors). They come in various colors and styles, allowing you to see how you’d look with a different eye color than you naturally have.
Just like regular contact lenses, costume contact lenses are medical devices, which means they should only be obtained through an eye doctor or optical care clinic. While some costume stores sell them, it’s a bad idea to purchase them there. Always purchase costume contact lenses through your eye doctor, which will generally require a prescription.
An eye examination specifically for the purpose of prescribing costume contact lenses includes a general evaluation of whether you’re a good candidate for wearing contact lenses. We’ll also measure your eyes to determine which costume contact lenses would be the best fit. Afterward, we’ll give you some instructions on the proper wear, care and handling of your contact lenses.
If you use costume contact lenses without a prescription from your eye doctor, you’ll be putting your eyes’ health and safety at risk. These lenses might not be the right fit for your eyes and can scratch, cut or infect your eyes.
For more questions about costume contact lenses or other optical concerns, call us at (425) 771-8472 for Alderwood Optical or (425) 485-0430 for Canyon Park Vision Clinic. You can also fill out our form to request an appointment. We serve Redmond, Kirkland and nearby WA communities.