The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) is issuing a warning for everyone planning to purchase costume contact lenses without a prescription. Halloween is the biggest occasion for people to buy yellow cat eye lenses, colored contacts, blacked-out lenses and even all white lenses to complete their costumes. While they may add more “scare” – the overall results could turn into a nightmare.

Novelty and theatrical contact lenses are safe, but only when they are properly prescribed and cared for.  Problems arise when these lenses are not sterile. The results lead to a host of serious eye problems starting with infection. Don’t go blind trying to impress others. If you want to add more drama to your costume, be sure to obtain a valid prescription from an eye doctor that includes a brand name, lens measurements…and are used within the expiration date.

Be safe and enjoy your Halloween!

Too often, adults are the “unwitting suppliers” of prescription medications for their children. The problem lies in how prescription meds kept in medicine chests and purses that are too easy to reach. Kids are naturally curious and ignorant of the consequences of trying something that doesn’t appear to be dangerous.

The National Family Partnership’s (NFP) campaign uses high-quality advertisements, posters and educational materials to make adults aware of how kids can access their meds without their knowledge.  Lock Your Meds Day is designated as the time for parents to make a pledge to talk to their children about the dangers of taking medicines not specifically prescribed for them.

It’s crucial to let them know about the harm to their immediate health and how experimentation can lead to addiction. www.lockyourmeds.org is a site where visitors can learn more about how to approach their kids plus get answers to any questions they may have.