Scary Warnings about Wearing Decorative and Colored Contact Lenses for Halloween

Federal officials are warning decorative and colored contact lenses may look great with your Halloween costume, but the damage they can do to your eyes for a lifetime is scary.

The increasing popularity of the contacts during this time of year has federal officials from various agencies working together to crack down on counterfeit lenses unapproved by the FDA.

Leslie Terjesen, Ocean County Health Department Coordinator says the lenses may not be safe or legal. She advises going to an eye doctor and getting a prescription to avoid medical risks associated with the decorative contacts. Terjesen says some of the risks include allergic reactions, corneal abrasions, decreased vision and blindness.

The decorative and colored contacts are sold for as little as $20 at novelty shops, salons and beauty supply stores.