Avoid a Scare This Halloween

Don't Get Tricked! Your Guide to Safe Halloween Contact Lenses

Halloween is just around the corner, and we want to make sure your only surprises this year are delicious treats! That’s why we’re tackling a tricky subject: cosmetic contact lenses—the perfect accessory for an instantly terrifying costume.

While we understand the temptation to add an extra 'fear factor' to your look, we at Mackey Opticians want to stress a crucial point: your eye safety comes first.

At Mackey Opticians, we do not provide or recommend novelty cosmetic contact lenses unless they have been purchased through an optometrist who has properly fitted them for you and ensured they won't damage your eyes.

Lenses purchased from unregulated sources (like costume shops, markets, or online without a prescription) can cause serious problems, from minor irritation to severe eye infections and vision loss. They are often one-size-fits-all and not sterile, leading to a poor fit and a very real risk of injury.

Planning to Wear Them Anyway? Follow These Essential Safety Steps!

We know the lure of a truly spooky costume is strong. If you do plan on wearing cosmetic lenses this Halloween, please follow these essential DOs and DON’Ts to drastically reduce the chance of a frightful eye incident that could ruin your fun.

DON’T Use Saline Solution to Clean Your Lenses

Saline solution is only for rinsing. It is sterile but does not sanitise or disinfect your lenses effectively.

• DO: Always use a multipurpose contact lens solution, such as Opti-Free Puremoist (available in all Mackey Opticians branches). These solutions are designed to clean, disinfect, and safely store your lenses. Be sure to empty your case and add fresh solution every time!

DO Wash Your Hands Before Handling Lenses

Your hands are the biggest carrier of germs.

• Ensure you wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before touching your lenses to insert or remove them.

• DON'T: Use hand sanitiser at this stage, as it can dry out your lenses and irritate your eyes.

DON’T Share Contact Lenses with Anyone

This is extremely dangerous! Sharing lenses, even non-prescription ones that have supposedly been disinfected, can transfer dangerous bacteria and infections, leading to severe eye damage.

• DO: Only wear lenses that are intended only for your eyes.

DO Insert Your Lenses Before Applying Any Make-up

Putting in lenses before applying your make-up will lessen the risk of bacteria or debris from cosmetics getting trapped underneath the lens, which can cause painful infections.

• Bonus: If you wear prescription lenses, this will also help you see more clearly while you perfect your terrifying look!

DON’T Sleep, Shower, or Go “Bobbing for Apples” with Your Lenses In

Water—from the shower, a pool, or the apple-bobbing tub—can contain chemicals like chlorine or bacteria that can get trapped under the lens, affecting both the quality of your lens and the health of your eyes.

• Crucially: NEVER sleep in your lenses. Without blinking to replenish your tears, the lenses will dry out overnight. This can make them extremely painful and difficult to remove, causing significant damage to the surface of your eye.

What to Do If Something Goes Wrong

If you wear cosmetic lenses and something feels wrong—your eye is red, irritated, or painful—stop wearing the lenses immediately and seek professional advice right away.

In Northern Ireland, you can access the NI PEARS (Northern Ireland Primary Eyecare Assessment and Referral Service) scheme for sudden-onset minor eye conditions. This allows you to be seen under the NHS.

If you have any concerns or need to book a NI PEARS appointment, please contact your nearest Mackey Opticians branch and we will do our best to see you quickly.

Like the Idea of Contacts?

If you like the idea of contact lenses—not just for one night, but for everyday convenience—contact your nearest branch today to book a very "unscary" contact lens fitting appointment with one of our optometrists. We’ll ensure you get a safe, comfortable, and professionally fitted product.