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With Halloween just around the corner, many children will want to dress up for parties or trick-or-treating.
Part of such costumes may include special contact lenses.
However, the importance if making sure that they are suitable for eyes has been highlighted by the American Optometric Association (AOA).
Art Epstein, former chairman of the AOA Contact Lens and Cornea Section, said that purchasing lenses without a good prescription can cause damage to eyes.
"Decorative lenses, like their vision-correcting counterparts, require precise fitting and careful follow up care," he said.
"Consumers purchasing these lenses from untrained individuals may receive poorly fitted or 'demo' lenses and little to no instruction in proper lens care and cleaning."
Dr Epstein added that decorative contact lenses could "present serious risks to eye health".
Among the problems associated with such lenses are conjunctivitis, allergic reactions and corneal abrasion.
As with all lenses,
ortho k lenses should always be prescribed by a professional.
By Emily Stafford
