All Trick, No Treat: How Coloured Halloween Contacts Drive Up Eye Infection Rates
- Northern Sight Optometry
- Oct 1
- 3 min read
Halloween is one of the most fun times of year. Kids get to dress up, adults join costume parties, and everyone has an excuse to get creative. For many, the finishing touch to a spooky look is a pair of coloured or decorative contact lenses. Want cat eyes? Vampire red? Ice-blue zombie gaze? They’re all out there.
But here’s the problem: not all coloured contact lenses are safe. In fact, many lenses sold in novelty shops or online costume sites aren’t licensed by Health Canada and can cause serious damage to your eyes. That’s why it’s so important to know what you’re buying and how to check if your lenses are approved.
Why Coloured Contacts Can Be Risky
Decorative contact lenses may look harmless, but if they’re made from poor-quality materials or don’t fit your eye properly, they can lead to:
Eye infections
Corneal scratches
Allergic reactions
Even permanent vision loss
And these aren’t rare “what if” cases — the numbers are eye-opening:
The CDC reports that nearly 1 in 5 contact lens–related eye infections involve decorative or coloured lenses purchased without a prescription.
A U.S. study found that people wearing cosmetic lenses had a 16× higher risk of developing keratitis (a painful corneal infection) compared to those wearing standard prescription lenses.
An article states that 60% of counterfeit or unlicensed decorative lenses tested in labs were found to be contaminated with harmful bacteria or microbes even before use.
Unlike clothing accessories, contact lenses sit directly on your eye. That means they need to allow enough oxygen through, fit properly, and meet safety standards to avoid complications.
How to Check If Your Lenses Are Approved
Here’s the good news: you don’t need to guess whether a brand is safe. Health Canada makes this information available through its Medical Devices Active Licence Listing (MDALL).
Here’s how to use it:
Visit the Health Canada MDALL website.
Type in the brand name or manufacturer of the contact lenses you’re considering.
Confirm that the lenses appear in the database with a valid licence number.
If you don’t see the brand listed, that’s a red flag. It means the lenses aren’t approved for sale in Canada and may be unsafe.
Not all coloured contacts are dangerous. In fact, many major eye care companies make safe, licensed coloured lenses. These come in both prescription strengths (so you can correct your vision and change your eye colour) and daily disposable materials (great for single-use, hygienic wear at parties).
Daily disposable lenses are often the healthiest option because you wear them once and throw them away, reducing the risk of infection.
Mask and Makeup Safety Tips
Even if you’re not planning on coloured lenses, Halloween is still a good time to think about your contact lens options. If your costume involves a mask or headpiece that makes glasses difficult to wear, daily disposable clear contact lenses are a comfortable and convenient alternative. They allow you to see clearly without worrying about glasses fogging up or slipping under a mask.
While we’re on the topic of Halloween eye safety:
Always apply makeup around your eyes after inserting your contact lenses.
Choose hypoallergenic products and avoid putting eyeliner directly on the waterline.
Remove lenses before washing makeup off.
Make sure masks have large enough eye holes so vision isn’t restricted.
Ready to Try Contact Lenses This Halloween?
Halloween should be fun, not frightening for your eyes. Whether you’re curious about coloured lenses or want clear daily disposables to complete your costume, book a contact lens fitting with us before the Halloween parties begin. Our team at Northern Sight Optometry will make sure your eyes are safe, comfortable, and looking their best!