The Hidden Dangers of Halloween Contact Lenses & How to Safely Change Eye Color

No one is too old to dress up for Halloween. Some people like to enhance their costumes with decorative contact lenses that change their eye color or create special effects, like the illusion of cat or zombie eyes.

Unfortunately, it is common to obtain these types of decorative lenses without a prescription. The non-prescription use of costume lenses can be dangerous. Some of the risks of improperly obtaining and wearing these lenses are downright scary.

Here, the ophthalmologists at Wiles Eye Center discuss the potential consequences of Halloween contact lenses — and suggest a safer way to change your eye color for the holiday.

Risks of Costume Contact Lenses

Contact lenses are medical devices and therefore overseen by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for their safety and effectiveness. The FDA cautions that contacts should only be obtained with a valid prescription.

Purchasing contact lenses — such as novelty lenses from a beauty supply store, costume store, party supply store or online retailer — without a prescription, puts you at risk of serious eye problems. The lenses may be made of questionable materials, and they may not fit your eyes correctly. The lenses could scratch the surface of your eye, making your eyes susceptible to infection and other problems. Though rare, contact lens-induced infections that are not treated can lead to blindness. We can all agree that changing your eye color for one holiday is not worth potentially losing your sight.

The good news is that you can safely change your eye color for Halloween (or other occasions) with contacts, as long as you get a valid prescription from a licensed eye care professional.

Safely Change Your Eye Color With Pigmented Prescription Lenses

If you wish to change your eye color, contact your eye care professional to inquire about a prescription. Your eye care professional can properly measure your eye and give you a prescription for lenses that specifically fit your eyes and give you the desired eye color. You can be sure the lenses are made from safe materials. When you work with your eye care professional, you will also receive instructions about the proper use and cleaning of your lenses. This will decrease the chances of any complications.

Furthermore, your eye care professional can explain warning signs to look for, such as eye redness or pain, that could suggest a problem with the lenses.

For more information about safely changing your eye color with pigmented prescription lenses, please call or email the team at Wiles Eye Center. We are happy to help you put the finishing touches on your Halloween costume!

The post The Hidden Dangers of Halloween Contact Lenses & How to Safely Change Eye Color appeared first on .

from https://perfect2020.com/the-hidden-dangers-of-halloween-contact-lenses-how-to-safely-change-eye-color/
via https://perfect2020.com/

Getting Older and Having One of These Medical Conditions Increases Eye Disease Risk

Vision changes and eye concerns are inevitable parts of the natural aging process. Some eye issues are more of a nuisance, while others can lead to blindness if left untreated. Early detection and treatment are  key to enjoying good vision in your golden years, as is understanding your risk of developing these eye diseases. Our ophthalmologists at Wiles Eye Center can diagnose and manage eye diseases at our Kansas City and St. Joseph offices.

Diabetes 

People with diabetes have an elevated risk for multiple eye diseases, including glaucoma, cataracts and diabetic retinopathy. This risk factor is due to the damage uncontrolled blood sugar can have on the retina that lines the back of the eye. The small blood vessels can leak fluid and blood, scar and lead to new abnormal blood vessels that affect vision (diabetic retinopathy). Diabetic retinopathy affects people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes and can cause retinal detachment if scar tissue pulls the retinal tissue from the back of the eye.

The longer someone has diabetes, the higher their risk of vision impairment. People with diabetes are more likely to develop cataracts at a younger age because high blood sugar can alter the structure of the eye lens and accelerate cataract formation. Having diabetes also doubles your risk of developing glaucoma.

High Blood Pressure 

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can affect the retina’s blood vessels. Poor blood flow caused by hypertension may damage nerves found in the eye and block the arteries in charge of supplying blood to the retina. High blood pressure may also block the veins responsible for carrying blood from the retina. These issues are called hypertensive retinopathy, and you may not experience symptoms until damage progresses. Headaches, double vision, dimming vision and vision loss are symptoms of hypertensive retinopathy. Recent research found that high blood pressure increases cataract risk, and long-term hypertension is a risk factor for glaucoma.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is another eye disease of concern for people with hypertension. The damage caused by high blood pressure in the retinal blood vessels can lead to AMD or age-related vascular dysfunction.

Autoimmune Disorders 

Autoimmune disorders, such as arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis and inflammatory bowel disease, are another risk factor for eye disease as you age. The swelling caused by these conditions can destroy tissues in the middle of the eye. Uveitis, which causes severe vision loss, may be an eye concern in people with autoimmune diseases, and these people are more likely to get uveitis in both eyes. Symptoms include light sensitivity, impaired vision, eye floaters, blurred vision, redness and eye pain.

If you live with one of these medical conditions, you will need more frequent comprehensive eye exams to preserve your vision. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to managing these eye diseases and maintaining good eyesight.

Schedule an eye exam at Wiles Eye Center today. Contact our Kansas City, Missouri, office at (816) 455-2020 and our St. Joseph, Missouri office at (816) 279-7015, or fill out our online contact form.

The post Getting Older and Having One of These Medical Conditions Increases Eye Disease Risk appeared first on .

from https://perfect2020.com/getting-older-and-having-one-of-these-medical-conditions-increases-eye-disease-risk/
via https://perfect2020.com/