The OD’s Role in Halloween Eye Safety Awareness Month

October is Halloween Eye Safety Awareness Month, according to the American Optometric Association. Because ordering non-FDA-approved decorative or colored contact lenses can pose a risk to ocular health, ODs should educate patients about the possible dangers of acquiring these lenses, say those contact lens specialists interviewed. Here's their advice: 

HAVE A ONE-ON-ONE DISCUSSION

“A simple conversation in the exam room can prevent serious eye injuries and reinforce our role as trusted eyecare professionals,” emphasizes Ryan Corte, OD, who practices in Asheville and Charlotte, North Carolina.

He says he starts this conversation by acknowledging that Halloween is on its way and then emphasizing that contact lenses that are deemed safe require both FDA approval, and an eye examination to ensure a successful fit.

Boi-Dieu Nguyen, OD, who practices in Dallas, Texas, agrees with this approach: “I explain to patients that non-FDA-approved contact lenses don’t go through the rigorous testing and safety checks associated with the FDA’s approval process, placing patients at risk for serious sight-threatening conditions, such as bacterial infections,” she explains.

"Contact lenses in any form are medical devices that can cause harm, Dr. Chin points out."

USE EXTERNAL MESSAGING

Beyond face-to-face patient conversations, Dr. Nguyen suggests her colleagues create a Halloween-themed newsletter that includes a case of a contact lens patient who experienced a sight-threatening condition due to non-FDA-approved contact lens use and concludes with best practices, such as acquiring all contact lenses from an OD.

Jason Chin, OD, FAAO, who practices in Andover, Massachusetts, recommends using social media to warn both patients and the public about the potential adverse effects of wearing non-FDA-approved decorative contact lenses.

“Close to Halloween, the practice's social media channels contain posts that contact lenses in any form are medical devices that can cause harm if not both FDA-approved and fit properly by an eyecare provider,” he says. “The posts end, ‘Don't let your Halloween horror story be from your eyes!’”

Dr. Corte says the Halloween season is a great opportunity to educate on the risks of non-FDA-approved lenses, and safe, OD-fitted options.