HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS

Eye M.D.s Say Beware of Little Devils With Pitch Forks
September 28, 2000

(San Francisco)-Before you revel in the spirit of Halloween, the American Academy of Ophthalmology-the Eye M.D. Association- wants to remind you of some ghoulish things that can happen to your eyes.

Some of the frightfully fun props that make costumes magical - glitter makeup, pitch forks, wands and swords - have been known to cause corneal abrasions, says Academy spokesperson Monica Monica, M.D. of New Orleans.

"When kids start playing around with some of the things they carry like pitch forks and sword-like objects, injuries occur," said Dr. Monica. "They can get a scratch on their cornea to a more severe injury such as a laceration. So make sure your child stays away from little devils with pitch forks."

Corneal abrasions usually heal within a couple of days, but they can cause a lot of pain and discomfort during and after the healing process. Symptoms include tearing, light sensitivity and a feeling that something is in the eye. Treatment may require wearing a patch over your eye, repeated applications of ointment or antibiotics to prevent infection.

Other advice, Dr. Monica and the Academy have for a safe Halloween:

Contact lens wearers should not wear glitter makeup, especially around the eyes. Even if you're careful, it's easy to get a speck of glitter between your lens and your eye, causing a corneal abrasion.

• Be vigilant with costume contact lenses. Most people wear them occasionally, and then forget about them. Disinfectant solution in the contact lens storage case must be changed on a regular basis, even if the lenses haven't been worn recently. Also, don't trade them with your friends. Swapping lenses with friends can spread microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, fungi and amoeba that cause eye diseases.

• Don't drive while wearing costume contact lenses. A recent study by the Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists found that costume contact lenses may interfere with activities such as driving, where excellent vision is crucial.

• Make sure costumes don't have parts that can scratch the eyes or face.

  Here are some general health tips:

• Make sure your toddlers' costumes are free of small parts that can come loose and become a choking hazard.

• Be sure your child's treats come from a trusted source.

• Be sure candy has not been tampered with, and doesn't pose an allergy threat. Also, be aware of tricky treats for toddlers. Candies such as candy corn, caramels, small hard candies and jellybeans are choking hazards for little ones.

Source: American Academy of Ophthalmology

 

Every year, Halloween enthusiasts anxiously await the retail industry to begin their Halloween season and see who's first to stock products for the spooky season. Many stores begin stocking Halloween products as early as July!

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