Halloween arrives with a flicker and glow,
With costumes and candy and creatures in tow.
We paint on a scar. We darken an eye.
We become someone else for one night in disguise.

And sometimes the costume needs one final prize:
A brand-new pair of very strange eyes.
Red ones. White ones. Cat-eye green.
Blackout lenses fit for a scream.

They may look harmless, dramatic and neat,
But science says danger can hide underneath.
Keep reading, we promise the jargon won’t bite,
A minute of science could help save your sight

Decorative contacts are medical devices, it’s true,
Even if seeing more clearly is not what they do.
They rest on the cornea, transparent and clear,
A delicate surface we’d rather not sear.

If a lens fits too tightly, sits crooked or wrong,
Your cornea may not tolerate it for long.
A scratch can become a corneal abrasion,
And bacteria love that kind of invitation.

An infection can follow, an ulcer can grow,
And suddenly spooky has sunk pretty low.
Poor fit, dirty lenses or improper care
Can cause infection, scarring and vision impairment there.

And yes, even if your vision is twenty-twenty and bright,
You still need a prescription to fit them just right.
Because prescriptions aren’t only about what you can see,
They consider your eye’s shape, health and anatomy.

So zombie-white lenses or vampire red
Should come from a seller who checks your prescription instead.
If they’ll sell you contacts with barely a care,
No fitting? No prescription?
Consider that a scare.

And your friend’s werewolf lenses may look divine,
But their microorganisms do not belong in your eyes.
Never share lenses. Never use spit.
Never rinse them in tap water and call that “clean enough” for it. 

Use clean hands, proper solution and care,
Because microbes at Halloween are already everywhere.
Then listen closely if your eyes start to shout:
Pain. Redness. Blurring.
Take those contacts out.

Sensitivity to light? Discharge? Burning that stays?
Those may be signs of infection, not part of the haze.
Call your optometrist if symptoms persist,
Because permanent vision loss is one twist we can skip.

So wear the fangs.
Paint the face.
Make your entrance a sight.
Just make sure those spooky eyes are fitted right.

Are we clear on what you should do?
Get a prescription.
Buy from a trusted source too.
Let Halloween fright the people…
And let your contacts take care of you.

References 

1. https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/vision-and-vision-correction/contact-lens-care