Halloween and other special-effect contact lenses, including black contact lenses, are soft contact lenses that are available for theatrical and novelty uses. Special-effect contacts can be used whether or not you need vision correction, because most types are available with or without lens powers.
Prescription Needed
It’s very important to understand that all contact lenses, including Halloween contacts and any other type of special-effects contact lenses, are classified as medical devices and require a valid contact lens prescription from a licensed eye care practitioner.
Novelty lenses are safe to wear only when they are properly prescribed and cared for and bought from a legitimate source. Bacterial eye infections from contaminated, poorly fitted or improperly worn Halloween contact lenses can happen quickly and cause a painful corneal ulcer or even blindness. Adding the finishing touch to your Halloween costume is not worth an eyesight-threatening infection.
How Halloween Contacts Work
Halloween and other special-effect contact lenses are available in a wide variety of dramatic colours and designs. They have a non-transparent tint that completely masks your natural eye colour and the center of the lens, which sits over your pupil, is clear so you can see.
Most novelty contact lenses only cover the coloured portion of your eye, the iris, but special-effect scleral lenses, such as all-black, red, yellow or white contacts, cover both the iris and the whites (sclera) of your eyes to create a truly haunting look.
Trends and Designs
There’s a huge selection of Halloween contact lenses to choose from that will add the ultimate finishing touch to your costume, including:
- Black sclera
- White
- Wild eyes
- Cat eyes
Current trends in novelty contact lenses are inspired by movies and TV shows. These include:
- Black, white and yellow sclera contacts as worn in the TV show True Blood
- Red and amber coloured contacts like those worn in the Twilight movies
- Red, black, white and yellow Goth contacts like those in The Exorcist
Other movie character special-effect lenses include vivid green “Mad Hatter” contacts inspired by the Alice in Wonderland movie, yellow “alien” contacts as seen in Avatar and yellow cat-eyes like those seen in Harry Potter.
Crazy contact lenses continue to be popular, too. These include:
- Zombie
- Vampire
- Spider webs
- Cat eyes
- Werewolves
Any of these could be just what you need to add the “wow” factor to your Halloween costume. For an even scarier look, there are mesh-look contacts and even neon glow-in-the-dark UV lenses.
Safety First
- Even if you don’t need vision correction, you will have to visit an optometrist for a contact lens exam, fitting and prescription for Halloween contact lenses.
- Buying Halloween contacts from an unlicensed source that doesn’t require a prescription significantly increases your risk of severe eye problems. Always buy your Halloween contact lenses from a retailer that requires a prescription.
- Follow your eye doctor’s instructions for wearing and caring for your contact lenses.
- Never share your special-effect lenses with your friends as doing so can spread harmful bacteria and may result in serious eye problems, including blindness.
- Halloween contact lenses are not usually designed to wear overnight.
Symptoms such as any eye redness, swelling or discomfort while wearing your Halloween contacts may be signs of a potential eye infection. Remove the contacts immediately and see an eye doctor as soon as possible.
