Safety tips for eyes on Halloween

Halloween. A time for tricks and treats and things that go bump in the night. But according to Dr. James B. Mayer, optometrist, Halloween can also be a time of sight-related hazards. Mayer offers these tips to ensure a safe and happy Halloween.

•Decorating the face with makeup approved for the skin is almost always preferable to masks. The eyeholes on the mask can be too small to allow full vision or the mask may shift during wear and obstruct sight.

Keep the makeup away from the eyes when putting it on.

•Decorative contact lenses that make the eyes look like cat eyes or with wild designs are generally safe, but any contact lens is a medical device and must be prescribed by and worn under the supervision of an eye doctor.

•Don’t buy contact lenses from an unauthorized outlet. A contact lens that is not fitted or is worn improperly can cause serious eye problems like corneal ulcers, corneal abrasion or conjunctivitis.

•Wear reflective clothing or place reflective tape on trick or treat bags and clothing.

•Carry a flashlight. Glow sticks that are sold for Halloween are filled with a chemical that can cause eye irritation.

•Tie hats and head scarves securely so they don’t slip over the eyes and obscure vision.

Mayer owns and practices at Agape Optometry Center, 100 N. Rancho Road, Ste. 1, Thousand Oaks.