Cosmetic Contact Lenses How to Choose

Cosmetic contact lenses allow you to change the natural color of your eyes and create a more extravagant and bold look, whether you want to enhance your everyday look or choose a different look for Halloween or other special occasions.

Contact cosmetic lenses are available with or without correction for nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism. Cosmetic contact lenses require examination by your vision practitioner, whether you have a vision defect or just to change your eye color.

The cost of cosmetic lenses it may be far superior to that of regular lenses, but for the wearer, the ability to change eye color is priceless.

Types of cosmetic contact lenses

Most cosmetic contact lenses are create to mimic the natural look of the iris, the colored part of the eye.

Because the iris has colored shapes and streaks, some lenses have a series of tiny dots, lines and colored shapes that radiate from the center to make the lens as close as possible to the natural appearance of the human eye.

The center of the lens, i.e. the part that overlaps the pupil,it is transparent and allows you to see.

Cosmetic contact lenses are available in three types of colors:

Visibility tint

It is usually a light blue or light green tint to help make the lenses more visible during insertion and removal and to find them easily if they fall out. Visibility tints are relatively subdued and do not change the color of the eye.

Enhancement tint

It is a translucent tint, which is a little darker than a visibility tint. As the name suggests, an enhancement tint is designed to emphasize the natural color of your eyes.

Colored contact lenses with this type of tint are usually best suited for people who have light eyes and want to make their eye color more intense.

Matte tint

This is a non-transparent tint that can completely change your eye color. Those with dark eyes will have to choose this type of colored contact lenses if they want to completely change their eye color.

Matte tinted contact lenses come in a wide variety of colors, including hazel, green, blue, purple, amethyst, brown, and gray.

The dull tint category also includes contact lenses for theatrical uses. Long used in movies, these special effect contact lenses are now available to everyone.

Choose the right color

The contact lens color that best suits your needs depends on a number of factors, such as hair color and skin tone.

But, ultimately, it all depends on the kind of look you want to achieve: a delicate and natural look or a striking and bold one.

You can choose from various options. Here are two of them:

Colored contact lenses for those with light eyes

If you want to change your appearance in a subtle way, you could choose an enhancement tint that defines the edges of the iris and reinforces your natural color.

On the other hand, you want to experiment with a different eye color without losing the natural effect, you can choose contact lenses in gray or green, for example, if you have blue eyes.

If you have light blue-red undertone eyes and complexion and are looking for a flashy new look that everyone can immediately notice, you could choose warm colored contact lenses such as light brown.

Colored contact lenses for dark eyes

Matte tints are the best choice for those with dark eyes. For as natural a change as possible, try a lighter honey brown or hazelnut lens.

If you really want to stand out from the crowd, choose contact lenses with vivid colors, such as blue, green or purple instead. If you have dark skin, brightly colored lenses can create a truly spectacular new look.

Custom color contact lenses

If you are looking for a truly exclusive look, know that some manufacturers specialize in creating custom colored tints for both cosmetic and corrective lenses.

Custom shades are made in a wide range of colors with different intensities. Custom colored contact lenses are usually semi-transparent to create a natural effect. They can hide a congenital eye defect or eye injury, or mimic the appearance of a healthy pupil.

Contact lenses with custom tints are not only use for aesthetic purposes, but are increasingly popular among professional athletes who choose them to increase their visual performance.

“Sports colored” contact lenses offer numerous advantages, in particular they reduce glare, increase visual contrast and depth perception. A green tint, for example, allows a tennis player to have a clearer view of the ball on the court.

Colored contact lenses: what you need to know

Before choosing colored contact lenses, you need to remember these key factors:

Although there are lenses of different sizes on the market suitable for most users, in some cases (for example when blinking) the colored part may move over the pupil, reducing the natural effect of the lens, especially when wearing those. opaque color.

The size of the pupil also varies constantly to adapt to different light conditions, so sometimes, for example at night, the pupil can dilate beyond the transparent center of the lens. In these cases, vision may be slightly impair.

Are colored contact lenses safe?

Yes, colored contact lenses are safe as long as they are prescribe, used and treat correctly.

It is essential to contact your contact doctor for appropriate contact lens fitting. This will ensure that your colored contact lenses are comfortable, safe and give your eye a natural effect.

Like regular contact lenses, colored lenses are not harmful to your eyes as long as you follow the instructions of your vision practitioner, particularly on how long to wear and when to replace them.

If you only wear colored contact lenses on special occasions, daily contact lenses are your best bet.

Do you need a prescription for colored contact lenses?

Yes, in some countries like the UK, you need a prescription to legally buy colored contact lenses. The same goes for non-corrective tinted lenses.

Before purchasing contact lenses, regardless of their purpose, an examination by the vision professional is desirable.

Be sure to buy contact lenses from an authorized retailer; don’t mess with eye health and safety!

Dos and Don’ts with Colored Contact Lenses …

DO NOT exchange contact lenses

As fun as it may sound, never trade colored lenses with friends. Contact lenses are medical devices and are custom made to the specifications of each person wearing them. Swapping lenses can also transmit harmful bacteria that can cause serious eye infections. dangerous for the eyes.

Take proper care of your contact lenses

Colored contact lenses, like regular ones, should be clean, disinfect and store using suitable lens care products to avoid contamination. Don’t forget to replace the lenses according to the instructions of your vision practitioner.

DO NOT wear contact lenses if you have eye pain, or if they are sore or red.

These could be symptoms of a contact lens eye infection or other serious problem. Contact your vision care professional immediately if you experience discomfort when wearing your lenses or after taking them off.

Have fun trying out new looks!

Colored contact lenses allow you to achieve the eye color you’ve always wanted. Whether you want to enhance their natural color or try a new striking look.

Colored contact lenses are becoming more and more popular. Today you can choose from an ever-growing range of colors and effects. Consult your eye care professional to find the most comfortable colored contact lenses that best reflect your personality and the look you want.