NEW YORK—Halloween is, as far as I’m concerned, the perfect holiday. There’s no pressure, no big family events, no gifts to buy—nothing to do except wear a fun wig and eat free candy, no matter how old you are. Halloween as we know it today is about pure, unadulterated fun for all. And the best part? You can have that fun at work and at home.

I’m not alone in my love for Halloween—according to the National Retail Federation, Halloween spending in 2019 is expected to reach $8.8 billion, with shoppers saying they plan to spend an average of $86.27 this year. In the optical industry, Halloween ideas abound—after all, eyeballs are a spooky décor staple, and white coats can become ghost costumes pretty easily. There’s still plenty of time to spook up the office for the end of the month, too—from painting trendy glasses onto pumpkins to showing off frames on cutouts of famous horror movie characters. If you’re stumped, Illinois College Optometry put together a public Pinterest board, chock-full of fun Halloween ideas for optometrists, too.

And what about dressing up? The NRF reports that 29 million people plan to dress their pets up in costume this year, but, when it comes to humans, the possibilities are endless. And for those of us who wear glasses on a regular basis, the options are arguably even better.

Although it might feel like it to some people, wearing your glasses with your Halloween costume doesn’t have to be a limitation. Instead, it can be the exact opposite. Think about it: Velma from Scooby Doo, Where’s Waldo, Barb from Stranger Things, Jeff Goldblum in Jurassic Park, Harry Potter… the list of famous characters who wore glasses goes on and on. In fact, some of these names are even best known for their glasses. For opticians and optometrists, a running list like this one is great to share with patients—especially younger kids, or those who are new to glasses, and might feel a little embarrassed or limited by their newest accessory.

With just under three weeks to go until the Oct. 31, there’s still more than enough time to get in gear for the great pumpkin. So, this weekend, let’s take a look at the ways our community is getting excited for Halloween—some of these ideas might just haunt you until you decide to adapt them yourself.


Lauren Van Winkle, OD, at Viewpoint Optometry shared some optical themed Halloween décor on Instagram.



Professional Eyecare Associates in Indiana are hosting a surprise Halloween costume contest on their Instagram—complete with adorable opti-themed art. 



Spectacles of Great Neck, N.Y., found the perfect new backdrop for their frame shots, inspired by the sweet, spooky season. 



The American Optometric Association issued a reminder about costume contact lenses and their potential dangers.




Corporate Optometry found a spooky take on the typical Snellen chart.