Halloween came and went, and of course eye care professionals are on high alert, warning our friends and family to go through the appropriate channels to acquire costume contact lenses. We all know too well how quickly a medical emergency can arise from a contaminated or ill-fitting contact lens. While I admire the artistic detailing that goes into designing these colored lenses, to be honest, this year my thought process took a hard pivot. I started to think about corneal dystrophies and how cosmetic or prosthetic contact lenses are an emotional solution for patients.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects  approximately one in 44 children. ASD is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. People with ASD often have problems with social communication and interaction, and restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests, characteristics that can make life very challenging. As with other developmental issues, early detection and intervention can make a lifetime of difference. Currently, the average age for ASD diagnosis is 4 years of age, but researchers at Washington State University may have a noninvasive way to detect ASD in children younger than 2 years. (Washington State University. "Eye test could screen children for autism, study finds." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 22 August 2022. < www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/08/220822091047.htm >.)