Coloured contact lenses: Some facts to accompany the fun

Coloured contact lenses can be an exciting addition to a look and are widely available to buy. They’re a great way to add something new without making a permanent change, as with hair dye or body piercing. For anyone considering popping in a pair for Halloween or just for fun, here are some facts to bear in mind.

What are they?

Colored contact lenses, like the Americans say, or coloured, like we say, are any lenses that change the hue of the wearer’s iris (and sometimes the pupil, but these are generally the stuff of horror movie costume departments). Some varieties totally alter the colour, while others offer a subtle change. Some brands add radiance to the wearer’s eyes or cause their irises to seem bigger. 

Contact lens innovation has come a long way. They can be worn either as clinically prescribed corrective visual aids, or “plano” as a fun addition to a look. It’s even possible to have colour-altering options with a prescription added. Tinted contacts are fundamentally equivalent to clear ones, and anyone who habitually wears contacts will experience little difference. They may be somewhat less comfortable as the dyed versions tend to be thicker than standard ones, so they may take some getting used to. That said, thicker lenses can be simpler put in and take out.

Who can use them?

Anybody who can wear contacts can wear the coloured kind. There are shaded contacts for practically everybody, from daily disposable to reusable, however some kinds, for example, those for astigmatism, may be more costly. There are various brands to consider and endless choices to try. 

To wear contact lenses with a prescription, coloured or not, the user needs a script from a doctor. Non-prescription colour lenses are available to buy, but similar caution should be taken, and ideally an eye examination undertaken, as this is a fashion that could conceivably harm the eyes.

Safety considerations

Users should never share lenses with friends. Though plano tinted contact lenses seem much the same as cosmetics, used simply to switch up a look, they should be kept only for personal use. Trading germs between eyes can cause serious eye infection.

To remain safe when looking for tinted contact lenses, it’s imperative to adhere to one standard: only buy from reputable sellers. Additionally, if a prescription is needed, it’s imperative to obtain it from a medical professional. Eyes are delicate and extraordinary, and badly fitting lenses can cause genuine harm, irritating or scratching the cornea, which can lead to loss of vision.

Whatever the brand of contact lenses, taking care of them is very important. They should be always discarded after the interval instructed and replaced with a fresh set, and they should only be cleaned with the advised cleaning solution.

Where to buy

Whether the lenses needed are visually altered or not, it makes sense to to buy from a professional. In the age of online commerce, the prevalence of fake and poor quality goods is increasing day by day. The problems start when users go looking for contacts online or at street costume shops, instead of from eye specialists. Unregulated brands provide cheap, one-size-fits-all versions, but according to all corneas are not equal, and branded lenses come in many sizes for a perfect fit. Newbies should ideally get a professional fitting from an optometrist, who will also advise the proper way to use and take care of the product.

Remember: a coloured contact works just like a regular contact lens and should be treated as such. There is a plethora of options on the market, but one should choose wisely.

The editorial unit