The FDA website warns of the damage you can do to your eyes by not using properly fitted contacts. Scary and FX contact lenses are a great addition to your costume but you should always go through the proper channels to protect your eyes. Follow these guidelines and stay safe this year:

1. See your eye doctor. Every eye has a different size and shape along with basic parameters to correct your vision. Have your eye professional size you up for scary or color contact lenses prior to making a purchase.

2. If you don’t need vision correction, you’re not out of luck. People with perfect vision can have their eye doctor fit and prescribe contact lenses with a prescription of 0.00, commonly referred to as plano. Your doctor will make sure the lenses you receive are properly fitted to the size and shape of your eye.

3. Always order prescription halloween contact lenses from a trusted source. Your eye doctor, well-known online retailers such as AC Lens, and big box retailers are all great sources for lenses. Buying contacts at a flea market, novelty shop, or seedy websites are not a good place to buy lenses. Do not buy from any place that does not require a prescription for your safety.

We hope these tips help make your holiday more enjoyable. Have a safe and healthy halloween season.

Always follow your doctors recommendations, and replace your contact lens case monthly.

To promote effective cleaning and storage, the FDA has published a video on contact lens safety, which can be found www.fda.gov.

Contact Lenses are made from different materials which determine amount of oxygen the eye receives, types of deposits that can collect on the lens, and other factors. Some contact lens material may be more conducive to build-up of proteins or lipids which can cause infection. Lack of oxygen can be detrimental long-term and the combined effects of wearing lenses longer than prescribed can lead to corneal ulcers or inflammation.

The article suggests weekly and monthly lens wearers were most likely to wear lenses longer because they forgot to change contacts. AC Lens has an email reminder service along with the LensAlert contact lens timer which can help remedy this issue. The most common reason for running over for daily contact lens wearers was to save money. Fortunately, AC Lens can help here as well with savings up to 70% below eye doctor prices.

Keep your vision health in mind and change contact lenses as prescribed by your doctor.

Refractive errors are commonly fixed with eyeglasses or contact lenses. With over 150 million Americans requiring some kind of visual corrective device, it’s troubling to hear almost 10% of the population are not taking their eye sight seriously.

Data shows average savings on contact lenses up to 70% off eye doctor prices so it’s surprising that a larger percentage aren’t taking advantage of discounted prices available online during these turbulent economic times. Easy online order procedures, free shipping, and incentives from major online retailers make buying contact lenses online an easy decision.

With better prices, quick convenient ordering, and other built in benefits, what is preventing people from buying online?

We agree that investing in hypoallergenic cosmetics is important but did you know Ocusoft manufacturers a full line of eye care and makeup products exclusively for contact lenses and sensitive individuals. Ocusoft Mascara is recommended by eye professionals for those with sensitive eyes or contact lenses. Instead of suffering through your current mascara, or wearing none at all, read the rave reviews by current customers to see how great this product really is.

Ocusoft also makes several different types and styles of eye lid and facial cleansers that help remove oil, debris, and cosmetics. Keeping your face, hands, and eyelids clean during the insertion and removal of contact lenses is the #1 way to decrease contact lens related vision problems. The Ocusoft cleaning line consists of pads, foams, and make-up remover specifically designed to take off eye cosmetics. Again, read the customer reviews to see how those with blepheritis, sensitive eyes, sensitive skin, and other conditions have benefited from these specialized facial / cosmetics cleaners.

Additionally, AC Lens would like to suggest the use of contact lens inserters / removers when handling your contact lenses. Inserters/Removers are great products to prevent the introduction of germs, bacteria, or make-up from hand to eye contact. They can be used with both hard and soft contact lenses. As a bonus, they’re a great product for those who get a little queezy putting their finger on or near their eyeball.

Make-up and contact lenses go hand in hand but always remember to use proper precautions and safety when handling either. Speak to your doctor before making any changes in the way you handle your vision care needs or if anything feels abnormal during the use of any cosmetics, cleaning products, or contact lenses.

 Discuss this video now in our contact lens forums.

Toric Contact Lenses are available in many of the same options as regular contacts including soft or rgp, different color options, and disposable. All of the major manufacturer’s currently make toric lenses for Astigmatism with the most popular options being Acuvue Oasys for Astigmatism, Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism, Soflens 66 Toric, and Proclear Toric.

If you have astigmatism, talk to your doctor to find the best lens fit for you.

The AC Lens forum is a free service provided to our loyal customers. Take control of your vision now…join the forums today!

Note: The views expressed on the AC Lens Forums are solely those of the individual users and do not reflect the views of AC Lens or ACLens.com employees. Any medical references are opinion only. Please consult with your optometrist when making decisions regarding your vision care options.