Halloween contact lenses are special effect contact lenses that can be worn on Halloween, or on any other special occasion, such as costume parties. Such contact lenses have been used in the movie industry for ages to create a monster, or a character. Recent movies, such as Interview With The Vampire, Bram Stoker's Dracula, X-Men, The Grinch, among others, have used special effect contact lenses to create a strong visual impact. They have also been used for years on television, theatre, and even rock concert stages.

You too can do the same on some special occasion. Halloween contact lenses could be perfect for bringing the character in your costume to life! There are various decorative contact lenses in a variety of styles. From the simple ones - that will convert you into a red eyed alien, or a green eyed reptile ? to the more elaborate ones with zebra stripes or flowers, they are a great way to enhance your Halloween ensemble.

Buying Halloween Contact Lenses

Halloween contact lenses are available from a variety of sources, including online sources. However, you should know of certain things before you buy a pair.

Nearly everyone can wear special effect contact lenses. If your vision is normal, you can go for plain lenses with no corrective power. Corrective contact lenses for special effects are also available, including toric contact lenses for those suffering from astigmatism.

Even if you are going for plain costume contact lenses, it is always advisable to consult your optometrist. When ordering these special effect lenses, always ensure you have your prescription ready, especially when buying from online sources. Halloween contact lenses, like ordinary every day use contact lenses need to be 'fitted,' hence the prescription. Decorative lenses, if improperly made, can cause eye injury, which could eventually become permanent.

These costume contact lenses are not dangerous, as long as you buy them from reputable contact lens manufacturers, or from well-known and trusted online sources. However, they must not be swapped with other people, as there is a danger of picking up an infection. They need to be cleaned properly, just as you would your normal contact lenses.

Even though costume contact lenses are totally opaque, your visibility is unhampered because of the center of the lens - which is clear. The exception is in the case of white lenses for blind eye effect ? which are totally opaque. Anyway, these are worn one at a time only.

However, you may notice that your peripheral vision is slightly affected when wearing these decorative contact lenses. Though Halloween contact lenses are as good as daily use contacts, it is advisable not to use them continuously for more than 8 hours.

Caring For Your Halloween Contact Lenses

Halloween contact lenses are like ordinary contact lenses that everyone uses. You need to remember one thing, though. You may be wearing such costume contact lenses for fun, and for a short time, but these are medical devices, and need to be cared for as such.

Caring for them is quite simple. A no-rub multipurpose solution, a pair of plastic tweezers, and a contact lens case, which are all available from any chemist shop, is all you need. There are no other 'special' solutions required, only make sure your multipurpose solution is labeled ? 'for soft contact lenses.' If you have more than one costume contact lenses, arrange to have a separate case for each.

This is what you should do to care for your costume contact lenses:

Before handling your contact lenses, always wash your hands with soap.

Pick up your lens gently with tweezers, taking care not to tear it.

Place it on your fingertip and rinse it with a no-rub multipurpose contact lens solution.

Insert it in your eye.

Repeat the same for the lens of the other eye.

After use, take them out of your eyes, give them another rinse with the no-rub solution, and place them in the case with the fresh solution.

As is normal, you would be using your decorative contact lenses, once in a while, on special occasions. As there may be a gap of several weeks in between uses, it is advisable that you rinse the lenses, and change the solution, once a week. If you forget to do so, and your lenses have remained unattended in their cases, give them a double rinse, and soak them in a fresh solution for about a couple of hours, before wearing them.

In case you do not use corrective lenses or color contact lenses on a daily basis, the usage of costume contact lenses may cause a slight discomfort in the beginning. Do not rub your eyes, and instead use lubricant drops that are easily available from the corner chemist shops. To get used to the feeling, you can start by wearing them a couple of hours a day, every day, from a few days before the day of the party.

The Variety In Costume Contacts

There are endless varieties of decorative contact lenses available for all occasions, including Halloween. You can browse the Internet to pick up the ones that go with your costume. Some of the high quality, affordable Halloween contact lenses that are popular, and create great effects are:

Alien

Blackout and whiteout

Hypnotica

Cat eye

Ice fire

Red hot

Black, red and white spiral

Wolf

These are mass produced costume contact lenses. You can also have your contact lenses custom made, which are hand painted, and may be more expensive. Then there are the Scleral costume contact lenses, which are quite more expensive than the other costume contacts. These lenses, not only cover the pupil and the iris of the eyes, as other costume lenses, but the whole sclera ? the visible area of the eyes.

Sclera Halloween contact lenses provide an absolutely magnificent effect and are quite comfortable to wear. These unique custom made contact lenses require a special prescription, as the optometrist has to measure your eye.

Make your choice of the Halloween contact lenses and have a great time at the party!