Colored Contact Lenses: 7 Interesting Things To Know

Colored contact lenses are a popular accessory for enhancing your eye appearance. The demand for coloured contacts has risen dramatically in conjunction with fashion trends. The usage of multiple-coloured contact lenses is no longer exclusive to the entertainment or sports industries; it is now widely available to the general people.

You can choose colour contacts as per your requirement. For dark eyes, you can choose brown, blue, or green, and if you want a subtle change, you can opt for enhancement shades.

1. About Colored Contact Lenses

Contact lenses are thin disc-like medical devices that aid in vision correction. Contact lenses require a prescription from an optometrist. Non-prescription lenses are risky to your eyes since they have several adverse effects.

Contact lenses are available in both coloured and non-coloured forms. With contact lens technology, contact lenses are currently utilized for more than just vision correction.

It has now evolved into an element for enhancing your eye appearance¹. Coloured contact lenses were first introduced in the late 1930s. Coloured contact lenses are coloured lenses that assist you in improving the appearance of your eyes.

Coloured contact lenses can be used for both cosmetic and eyesight corrective purposes. Prescription-coloured contacts are always recommended.

2. Type and Use of Colored Contact Lenses

Coloured contact lenses can be varied according to their purpose. A contact lens should be used only after a consultation with an eye doctor. Coloured contact lenses can be used primarily for the following two purposes

2.1. Improving Vision

With the lifestyle change, many people are prone to eye problems. Eye problems like astigmatism and near or farsightedness (Hyperopia) can be corrected by wearing lenses. Contact lenses used to improve vision could be an alternative to spectacles. Both colourless and coloured lenses can be used to enhance your vision.

Gas-permeable contact lenses² can be used to cure astigmatism in most cases. In young adults and adult contact lens wearers, these contact lenses have been shown to help reduce the onset of nearsightedness (myopia). These contact lenses are also exceptionally long-lasting, and easy to handle and use. But these type of lenses is more prone to eye infections.

Soft contact lenses can be used to cure fuzzy vision, age-related loss of nearer vision, farsightedness, and other eye issues to a certain extent. These are easy to use and can be used for a short time. So it is less prone to an eye infection.

2.2. Enhance Eye Appearance

Coloured eye contact is used to enhance your eye beauty. For this purpose, soft contact lenses can be used. Soft contact lenses are both comfortable and simple to put on. Unlike hard contact lenses, soft contact lenses stay in place and are easy to adjust.

This improves comfort while also promoting eye health. Soft lenses can be used in daily wear contact lenses, decorative contact lenses, and extended-use contact lenses.

2.2.1. Daily Wear Lenses

These lenses can be used daily. There are two types of lenses, namely disposable and extended wear. Disposable ones are one-time wear, and these are good as they are free from any cleaning or maintenance and less prone to an eye infection.³ Extended wear is made up of silicone material these can be worn for a short time span.

2.2.2. Decorative Contact Lenses

These are known as cosmetic lenses. These lenses are used to give you a specific eye look. The decorative lenses can provide suitable looks for Halloween, animal eyes, and many more. Decorated or Halloween lenses have a high risk as they are prone to eye infections and can cause serious eye damage.

These are prescription-coloured contacts and shouldn’t be used without consulting an eye doctor.

3. Things To Know Before Considering Colored Contact Lenses

Here are some things that you should know before opting for a coloured lens.

3.1. Colored Contacts Safe to Use

Coloured contact lenses are safe to use, provided it is used after proper consultation with an eye doctor. You must visit an optometrist, who will check your eye and will be able to recommend you suitable and safe coloured contact lenses.

Coloured contacts are safe if you follow safety guidelines and use the prescribed lens. So you always should buy coloured contacts only after a consultation.

3.2. Prescription Colored Contacts

Specific contact lenses such as decorative lenses or Plano lenses can be fashionable. Still, at the same time, they can be a bit risky for your eyes. When these lenses are purchased without a prescription, however, they can be dangerous to one’s health.

It is more prone to bacterial infections and may lead to severe damage to your eyes. As a result of using non-prescription lenses, some people have almost lost their vision.

3.3. Shades of Coloured Contact Lenses

Coloured contact lenses have shapes or lines that cover the iris part. The centre part is clear, and the coloured part covers the iris and enhances your eye appearance. There are three coloured contact lenses. Before you buy coloured contacts, you must know the available shades. The three shades are opaque, enhancement, and visibility.

 3.3.1. Opaque Shades

This sort of coloured contact lens will help you modify your eyes’ colour and completely cover your iris. This is the best option for a dark-coloured eye. This shade has vibrant colours, and you can achieve looks like brown eyes, hazel eyes, violet eyes, grey eyes, green eyes, blue eyes, and many more. These are just a few, and there is a wide variety of options available in opaque shade colour contacts.

3.3.2. Enhancement Shades

Enhancement tints are designed to bring out the natural colour of your eyes. People who have light-coloured eyes and wish to intensify their eye colour should use coloured contacts with this type of hue.

3.3.3. Visibility Shades

A light blue or green tint is generally added to a lens to assist you in seeing it easier during insertion and removal or if you drop it. Visibility shades are very light and do not affect the colour of your eyes.

4. Proper Maintenance of Colored Contact Lenses

The way you care for and clean your contact lenses is determined by the lens you are using. All lenses should be deeply cleaned and stored in a disinfected lens case regularly. People who opt for daily or extended wearable lenses must pay extra attention to the safety guidelines and instructions.

It would be best if you never shared your coloured eye contact with anyone. It would help if you always used a proper sterile solution rather than opting for homemade ones. An eye doctor can give you advice and guidance on how to take care of your contact lenses properly.

Always check the expiration date for the products you use for your eye. You should follow certain other precautions to avoid any unwanted eye problems.

5. Maximum Time You Can Wear Colored Contacts

Maximum duration varies with the type of contact lens that you are using. Durability for a lens also varies as per the brand that you are using. A daily wear contact lens can be used during the day but must be removed before sleeping. Extended wear can be used throughout the day, even while sleeping. Even for prescription lenses or non-prescription lenses, you must consult an optometrist before wearing lenses.

6. Who Can Use Colored Contact Lenses

Coloured contact lenses may be preferred for a variety of reasons, including changing one’s eye colour to reflect their particular style of attire. Wearing coloured contacts does not necessitate the use of vision correction.

Contact lenses are available in a variety of powers, so you can change the colour of your eyes whether your vision is excellent or needs significant correction. Colour contact lenses can also be used for medical purposes as they can help in curing eye problems like farsightedness, nearsightedness, and others.

7. Who Should Not Wear Color Contact Lenses

It’s possible that coloured contact lenses aren’t suitable for everyone. Before opting for coloured contact lenses, you should always consult an eye specialist. Rather than buying from a local or street vendor, you should always pick a reputable or trustable brand. The following people should not wear coloured contact lenses:

• If you have a specific visual impairment.
• If you are exposed to a lot of dust, dirt, fumes, or smoke.
• If your tear production is insufficient.
• If you have a history of severe allergic responses, you should avoid it.

8. Side Effects of Using Colored Contact Lenses

Non-prescribed or decorative contact lenses or improper use of contact lenses can result in eye damage and other adverse effects. The following are some of the issues that can arise watery eyes, loss of eyesight, injury on the cornea, blurry vision and red eyes, eye infection, and many more. If you face any irritation or uneasiness while using a lens, you should immediately contact a doctor.

9. How to Wear Colored Contact Lenses

Before deciding on coloured contact lenses, you must check with an optometrist. It would be best to take proper care while wearing and removing your contact lenses. Here is how you can wear contact lenses:

1. Please wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, then blot them dry with a lentil-free cloth.
2. Label your lens pack ( namely right and left) to avoid any confusion.
3. Now open your lens case and pour a lens care solution inside.
4. Place the lenses in the contact lens case after removing them from the package. Wait for a while.
5. Take your lens and set it on the centre of your left palm, then wait for 10 seconds.
6. Dry your other hand’s fingers, and then set the lens on your index finger. Examine the lens closely; if it resembles a cup shape, you’re ready to go.
7. Pull up the top eyelid with your left hand and down the lower eyelid with your right hand’s middle finger to keep your eye open. Then look up and carefully put the lens.
8. Next, look to the left, right, up, and down. Just double-check that your lens is in the right spot. Blink 3-4 times.
9. Repeat the process with your left eye.

Note

• Fill the lens case with enough solution to submerge it in the solution completely.
• Replace the lens solution daily.
• Before going to bed, please remove the lenses.

10. How to Remove The Colored Contact Lens

Here is how you can remove your coloured contact lens:

1. Wash your hands thoroughly before drying them.
2. Raise your upper eyelid with your left hand, then gently drag the lens to the corner with your right index finger, then pinch and remove the lens from your eye with your index and thumb fingers.
3. Repeat the same process with your left eye.
4. Put your lens in the lens case and close it.

You can refer to this video to see how to wear and remove contact lenses-

If you face any irritation or uneasiness, immediately reach out to a doctor. Regular eye exams are recommended whether or not you wear contact lenses. Regular eye exams can detect when a person requires vision correction and safeguard their eyes in the long run. This is crucial since some eye problems don’t show symptoms until they’ve progressed a long way.

11. Final Thoughts

Coloured contact lenses are becoming increasingly popular, with an ever-increasing range of colours and patterns to pick from. When choosing coloured lenses, there are several factors to consider, including your eye condition, preference, money, and lifestyle. Consult an optometrist to choose coloured contacts that are convenient to wear and complement your personality and intended appearance.

Also, choose a contact lens from a reputable or well-known brand that has been medically approved. Because the eye is such a delicate organ, it is usually best to be careful while applying any eye products. To maintain your eye health, you can also do some eye exercises and do a regular eye check-up.

I hope that this article has provided you with some information regarding coloured contact lenses and will help you decide whether or not to get coloured contact lenses.

12. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is It Safe to Use Coloured Contact Lenses?

Coloured contacts can be quite safe when they are prescribed and fitted by your eye doctor. But, unfortunately, illegal and unsafe contact lenses are sold online and even in some stores. These lenses can damage your eyes and cause permanent vision loss.

Q2. Are Contact Lenses Safe?

Although contact lenses are generally a safe and effective form of vision correction, they are not entirely without risk if not properly cared for. Contact lenses are medical devices, and wearing, cleaning, and maintaining them as directed can increase the risk of eye infections, such as bacterial keratitis.

Q3. Is It OK to Wear Colored Contacts every day?

Coloured contacts are safe to use and can be used daily if you want. If you need a prescription for contacts, coloured contacts can also be made into a prescription version so you get the best of both worlds.

1. Lewis, David MG, and David M. Buss. “Appearance enhancement: A cue-based approach.” Archives of Sexual Behavior 51.1 (2022): 73-77. ↩︎
2. Compan, Vicente, et al. “Oxygen diffusion and edema with modern scleral rigid gas permeable contact lenses.” Investigative ophthalmology & visual science 55.10 (2014): 6421-6429. ↩︎
3. Nadăș, George Cosmin, et al. “Prevalence of antimicrobial resistant bacteria from conjunctival flora in an eye infection prone breed (saint bernard).” Molecules 26.8 (2021): 2219. ↩︎

Last Updated on March 27, 2024 by ayeshayusuf