Halloween contacts may look cool, but doctors say beware

(WJBK) - Changing the appearance of your eyes may seem like a cool idea for Halloween -- but doctors say beware. 

If you're not careful and you try those Halloween-themed contact lenses, it could be downright frightening. Dr. Allison Babiuch of Cleveland Clinic says using contact lenses off-the-shelf without a prescription or proper fitting is a bad idea.

"If the contact lens isn't fitted for your eye, then it may move around like it shouldn't on the eye and that can put you at a higher risk of developing a scratch on your eye, which could lead to an infection," she explains.

She says all contact lenses should be properly fitted by an eye doctor. During a contact lens exam, a doctor will take precise measurements and prescribe a lens that fits the size and curvature of the surface of your eye. 

She warns that contact lenses should not be bought anywhere that doesn't require a prescription -like a costume shop, beauty salon, drug store, or online. Lenses that don't fit properly may cause a scratch, infection, sore or even result in vision loss. 

For folks who have tried off-the-shelf lenses and continue to experience irritation, it's a good idea to see an eye doctor. 

"If your eyes are uncomfortable when you put them in, take them out, okay? If your eyes are still, after you take them out, red, watery, irritated, vision's down, you need to get evaluated," she says.

Dr. Babiuch says people interested in colored contact lenses should first discuss available options with their eye care provider.