Halloween Highlights Accessorize Your Eyes for the Perfect Costume Transforming your eyes from green to ghoulish with novelty contact lenses can be great Halloween fun, and the range of costume lens’ styles expands each year, providing the finishing tough for the perfect costume. Popular styles include jaguar, cat eye, red-hot, white-out, hypnotic, wildfire and more. While eye care experts don’t want to scare customers unnecessarily, caution is advised when it comes to the use of costume contact lenses. Concerns about the risks associated with the novelty lenses -- which can be purchased from unlicensed vendors on the internet or at flea markets and specialty shops -- have also prompted the FDA to issue a warning to consumers. “Although decorative contact lenses may seem festive during this time of year, consumers should understand that these lenses can seriously harm the eye if they are used without appropriate supervision by an eye care professional,” says Dr. Melvin Gehrig, optometrist with The Eye Clinic. “Many people mistakenly think decorative contact lenses are just like sunglasses, and if you’re not wearing the lenses to correct refractive errors, you don’t need a prescription,” says Dr. Gehrig. “This is a dangerous misconception. People, especially teenagers and young adults, who wear lenses purchased from unlicensed vendors have been given no instructions and often practice risky behavior. They don’t clean or disinfect the lenses. They sleep in them. They even swap them with their friends.” Researchers say all contact lenses increase the risk of infections in the eye because they prevent normal amounts of oxygen from reaching the eye but these risks
are much higher in over-the-counter contact lenses because none of the safety procedures are followed. The FDA says it has also received reports of corneal ulcers associated with wearing decorative contact lenses longer than the recommended period. These ulcers can progress rapidly and, if left untreated, can lead to infection, scarring of the cornea, vision impairment, or even blindness or eye loss. Dr. Gehrig says other risks associated with the use of novelty contact lenses include: • Conjunctivitis (a highly contagious infection of the eye) • Corneal edema (swelling of the cornea) • Allergic reactions and corneal abrasion caused by poor lens fit • Reduction in visual acuity (sight) • Contrast sensitivity and other problems that can interfere with driving and other activities “As with any contact lens, an eye exam is required for proper fitting of cosmetic lenses – even if they are non-prescriptive,” says Dr. Gehrig. “If you want cat or alien eyes, you can get them, but make sure you get them from a licensed eye care professional. If you don’t, you’re putting your eye health at risk.” The Eye Clinic’s contact lens department offers a wide range of costume lenses with special offers for the Halloween season. For more information, call The Eye Clinic nearest you in Lake Charles, Moss Bluff, Sulphur, DeRidder or Jennings or 1-800-826-5223.
Tricks for a Safe Halloween
Most people think of Halloween as a time for fun and treats, but parents should be aware that Halloween is one of the most dangerous times of the year for children. Joni Fontenot, spokesperson for the Safety Council of Southwest Louisiana, says roughly four times as many children aged 5-14 are killed while walking on Halloween evening compared with other evenings of the year, and falls are a leading cause of injuries among children on Halloween. “Many Halloweenrelated injuries can be prevented if parents closely supervise school-aged children during trick-or-treat activities. The excitement of the night can cause children to forget to be careful. That’s why it’s important for parents to be aware of safety hazards and do what they can to ensure a fun – and safe – Halloween.” The Safety Council advises these tips for trick-or-treaters: • Trick-or-treating should be supervised by an adult in wellknown neighborhoods. • Carry a flashlight. • Stay on well-lit roads and visit well-lit houses. 14
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• Avoid short-cuts. Stay on sidewalks or on the side of streets. • Add reflective tape to costumes if it doesn’t already have any. • Avoid masks that limit vision. Choose instead to wear makeup or face paint. • If your child is carrying a prop such as a staff or a pitchfork, make sure the edges are dull and your child carries it upright, not in the way of other children. • If you are driving during Halloween, slow down. • Instruct your child not to eat any candy until it has been examined by you. If the candy looks like it may have been opened, or there are holes in the wrapper, or it looks or smells odd in any way, throw it out.
If you plan to give out candy, make sure your visitors have a good time at your house by doing the following: • Make sure your lawn is free and clear of any obstacles that could be tripped over in the dim light. • Provide store-bought treats that are individually wrapped. • Keep your home well-lit. • If you decorate with jack-o-lanterns with candles inside, supervise them at all times and make sure they are out of the path the trick-or-treaters will use.
Thrive Magazine for Better Living
October 2010
Picking the Perfect Pumpkin Before decorating or carving a pumpkin this year, consider these tips to picking the best pumpkin. Whether you are growing your own, visiting a pumpkin patch, or browsing at the store, there is a technique to finding just the right pumpkin. Carefully chosen pumpkins will look nicer, and last longer. Begin the selection process by deciding on the shape that would best suit your purpose and design: - Tall thin shapes are ideal for funny faces or spooky and ghost-like expressions. - Round shapes will look great with a chubby smiling pumpkin face. - Oddly shaped pumpkins are perfect for creating unique characters. - Gourds come in many varieties and are great for decorating indoors. Next, consider the size of the pumpkin: - A large space such as a big front porch will look best with a large pumpkin or a group of three or more medium-sized pumpkins. - If your pumpkin is destined for a small space, choose a miniature pumpkin. - For a long, narrow space such as a mantle, consider lining up a set of smaller pumpkins. - If you will be carving the pumpkin, stick with a mediumsize pumpkin, which are the easiest to work with. Before making your final selection, make sure your pumpkin: - Has smooth, uniformly colored skin. Inspect the entire pumpkin for a firm flesh. Stay away from pumpkins with bruises, cuts, scratches or any signs of mold. - Has at least one good side if you will be displaying it on a porch or window. If it will be used as a centerpiece, choose pumpkins that look good from all angles. - Can sit well on a flat surface. You don’t want to choose a pumpkin for carving only to find out that it will not sit straight and be stable. - Has an attached stem, especially if you will be removing the seeds through the top. Make sure to store your pumpkin carefully prior to carving or displaying it. Keeping it in a cool, dry, low-humidity environment will preserve your pumpkin for months.
October 2010
s e c a r B f o d i a r f A e B t Don’
At Crawford Orthodontics, braces aren’t scary at all.
We offer options that provide: • increased comfort • faster results • advanced technology And braces aren’t just for kids. With the wide range of convenient orthodontic options available, more and more adults are able to have the smile they’ve always wanted. Fall is a great time to begin orthodontic treatment, allowing you to take advantage of flexible benefit account deadlines as well as annual insurance deductibles that have been met. We also offer affordable, convenient payment plans to fit any budget. Remember, a healthy, beautiful smile is one of the most important invetments you can make. We’ll give you something to smile about. Thrive Magazine for Better Living
(337) 478-7590 701 West College Street, Lake Charles www.drcrawfordorthodontics.com
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