Halloween Contact Lenses
Watch this News Hour on Global story regarding Halloween contact lenses and why you shouldn't share them.
Transcript
Female newsreader: Well Halloween is just weeks away. No doubt you see a lot of ghosts and goblins at your door?
Male Newsreader: Heh, heh, you might even see something scary this year especially among teens. Our health specialist Christine Crosby is here to fill us in.
Christine Crosby: Thank you. Indeed well you know special effects contact lenses have been used in Hollywood for many years now. Think of Darth Mauls red eyes for example. You can now order all kinds of styles of novelty lenses online but even if you are used to contact lenses you should still see an eye care professional to make sure they don't damage your sight.
Cross to film clip...
Christine Crosby: Marilyn Manson would just be another everyday goth rocker without those terrifying eyes. Who could even imagine Darth Maul with baby blues? You can get the same look with a mouse click. Online contact lens suppliers are offering dozens of novelty lenses from creepy to cute starting at $80.00. Optometrist Christine Heany carries them too. It's not just teens who want them.
Christine Heany: A lot of the people between about 20 and 40 who are very excited about Halloween, who get really into the costumes and things.
Christine Crosby: Musicians and club goers buy them year round. Clearly Contacts is one of the online retailers.
Stephen Hawes: They're manufactured and they are just the same as the other contact lenses. What they do is the color is sandwiched between two pieces of lens material. So they are essentially the same material as regular contact lenses.
Christine Crosby: Costume contact lenses need the same kind of care and handling as regular contact lenses. You have to wash your hands well before you put them in. And make sure you clean the lenses well before you put them away to avoid infection.
Christine Crosby: Wanna see something really scary? This eye has a corneal ulcer which can be caused by lenses that don't fit right or aren't sterilized properly. Those are two of the issues that worry some optometrists.
Dr Fiona Soong: Teens are the ones that are usually wearing them and they may decide to share them with friends or siblings and that's definitely something that you don't want to do.
Christine Crosby: Improper use can scratch the surface of the eye. Some models may not be safe to drive in.
Christine Heany: There is a little bit of a change to your peripheral vision especially if you have larger pupils and that's why it is always nice to try them on in the store.
Christine Crosby: If you are planning on adding an eye catching detail to your costume this year take the time to get your eyes checked and learn how to put the lenses in and take them out properly.
Back to newsroom...
Christine Crosby: It is important to change the lens solution in the cases every month if you are only wearing them occasionally so they don't dry up. They last about two years or so if you take good care of them.
Female news reader: They're making my eyes water watching those people put their contacts in. You tried them on. What do they feel like and can you see through them?
Christine Crosby: Well you can. They feel like just normal contact lenses but they do sort of interfere with your peripheral vision as the optometrist said in the story. It's fun for a party or for trick or treating but I don't think I could wear them to work everyday.
Female news reader: I prefer your big blue eyes just as they are.
Christine Crosby: Thank you very much.
Female news reader: Christine, thank you.
Male news reader: Still ahead tonight.
More information:
Read more about theatrical contact lenses.
