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Warning against cosmetic contact lenses this Halloween

Oct 30, 2026 · 3m

Summary

Anton Savage discusses Halloween safety concerns with Liz Grennan, President of Optometry Ireland. They highlight the dangers of using unregulated, cheap cosmetic contact lenses purchased online for costumes, which can cause infections, scarring, and permanent vision loss. Grennan advises using digital photo filters instead to avoid the risks of inserting unknown materials into the eye.

Topics discussed

Introduction: Halloween contact lens safety concerns Risks of cheap imported lenses and first-time wearers Regulation of cosmetic lenses and prescription requirements Oxygen permeability, infection, and scarring risks Prevalence of use and safer digital filter alternatives Hygiene concerns and lack of user awareness Worst-case outcomes and show sign-off
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