Colored Contact Lenses with or without power, how do you choose them and are they safe?
Colored contact lenses allow the wearer to change their eye color and create a look that can be subtle, striking, or somewhere in between. It gives you the ability to change your everyday look with, for example, a rock or crazy design for Halloween or another special occasion.
Colored lenses are available both with and without a prescription.
Prescription contact lenses are designed to correct your nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, and they can also enhance or completely change the color of your eyes.
So-called plano lenses (lenses that are simply available without a prescription) are only worn for cosmetic purposes to change the color of your eyes, and these lenses are not intended to improve your vision.
The cost of colored lenses can be significantly higher than regular contact lenses, but for many wearers, the ability to change your eye color is worth the extra financial effort.
Some people opt for a dramatic transformation, while others are happier with a more subtle change. What type of person are you?
Different types of colored lenses
Most colored lenses are designed to mimic the natural look of the colored part of the eye that we call the iris.
This part of the eye is composed of colorful shapes and lines. Therefore, colored lenses contain a series of small colored dots and radially arranged colored lines and shapes that are intended to make the lenses look more natural on the eye.
The center of the lens, the part that lies over your pupil, is clear so you can see.
Colored lenses are available in three different tints
1. Visibility tint This type usually consists of a light blue or green tint that is added to the lens to help you see better when inserting and removing the lens, or when you have dropped the lens. These types of lenses are generally relatively colorless and do not affect the color of your eyes.
2. Enhancing tint This is a solid but translucent tint that is a bit darker than the previous type of lens. As the name suggests, this tint is intended to enhance and emphasize the natural color of your eyes.
This form of colored lenses is usually used by people who naturally have light-colored eyes and who want to make the color of their eyes more intense.
3. Opaque tint This is a non-transparent tint that can completely change the color of your eyes. If you naturally have dark eyes, then you should use this type of lens to change the color of your eyes.
This type of contact lens is available in a wide range of colors, including green, blue, violet, brown, gray, and many other shades. Lenses used in the film and theater world usually fall into this category of colored lenses.
They have long been used in the film world, think of films such as The Man Who Fell to Earth, Avatar, and the Twilight series, and they are now also generally available for private use.
By inserting these lenses, you can transform yourself into an alien, a gothic figure, or a vampire. You can even wear the same type of lenses as they were used in Twilight!
How to choose the right color
Choosing the type of colored lenses that best suits you depends on many factors, such as your hair color and skin tone. Furthermore, it mainly depends on what kind of look you are aiming for, ranging from subtle and natural-looking to dramatic or daring.
1. Colored lenses for light eyes
If you want to change your appearance but in a more subtle way, you can opt for a type of lens that clearly defines the edges of your iris and deepens your natural color.
If you want to experiment with a different kind of eye color that still looks natural, you can choose lenses with a green or gray tint when, for example, your natural eye color is blue.
If you are looking for a more dramatic new look that everyone will immediately notice, you can, when you have light-colored eyes and a cool appearance with blue and red undertones, choose contact lenses with a warm tone such as light brown.
2. Colored lenses for dark eyes
Opaque colored lenses are the best choice when you have dark eyes. If you are looking for a change that looks natural, you can, for example, use colored lenses with a lighter honey-brown or hazelnut-like tint.
If you really want to stand out from the crowd, you can opt for lenses with vibrant colors, such as blue, green, or violet. And if your skin is dark, brightly colored lenses will create a remarkable and striking new look.
3. Colored lenses with a custom tint
If you are really looking for a custom-made look, you can contact certain manufacturers that specialize in designing lenses with custom-made tints, both for prescription and non-prescription lenses.
Colored lenses with a custom tint are available in a wide range of colors in varying densities. This type of lens is usually available in semi-translucent form, which ensures a natural-looking appearance.
They can also be used to camouflage a congenital eye defect or an injury to the eye, or to mimic the look of a natural pupil.
This type of lens does not only exist for cosmetic reasons. Colored lenses are also becoming increasingly popular with professional athletes who can use them to enhance their visual performance.
Some of the benefits of these sporty tinted lenses are improved vision, improved sensitivity to contrasts, and improved depth perception. For example, a pair of lenses with a green tint can allow a tennis player to see the ball better on the lawn.
Colored lenses: what you need to know about them
Before choosing or buying colored lenses, you should pay attention to a number of key factors that will help you learn more about making the right choice between glasses or a prescription for contact lenses.
Lenses with many different sizes are available to meet the needs of most wearers. Yet there are certain occasions, such as during blinking, where the colored part of the lens can slide somewhat over the pupil. This makes for a slightly less natural look, especially for people who wear opaque lenses.
Also, the size of your pupil constantly changes to accommodate the ever-changing lighting conditions. For example, in the evening, your pupil may be larger than the clear central part of the lens. At these times, your vision may be slightly affected.
Are colored lenses safe?
We can reassure you, colored contact lenses are safe, as long as you rely on properly prescribed lenses and you wear and maintain them correctly. It is essential that you consult a specialist or optician to choose and prescribe the type of lenses that are suitable for you.
This is immediately a guarantee that your colored lenses are not only safe but also comfortable and that they also have a natural appearance on your eyes.
Just like regular lenses, colored lenses are not bad for your eyes if you closely follow the instructions from the doctor and the manufacturer, especially regarding how long you can wear the lenses and when you should replace them.
If you only wear colored lenses for certain occasions, disposable lenses are probably the right option and you don't have to worry about maintaining them.
The do’s and dont’s of colored contact lenses
1. Never share your contact lenses with others.
However funny and attractive it may seem, never exchange your colored lenses with your friends. After all, it concerns 'medical equipment', and they are intended to meet the specific requirements of the eyes of a particular person.
Exchanging lenses with others can also transmit harmful bacteria, which can lead to serious and vision-threatening eye infections.
2. Ensure thorough maintenance of your contact lenses.
Colored lenses, like all other lenses, must be thoroughly cleaned, disinfected, and stored with the right products to prevent contamination. And always make sure that you replace the lenses in time according to the instructions of the manufacturer and the doctor.
3. Do not wear your lenses when you suffer from painful, irritated, or red eyes.
This may be a symptom of an eye infection that is related to wearing lenses or other serious problems. Contact your doctor immediately if you suffer from wearing your lenses.
4. Enjoy the new look when wearing colored contact lenses.
Whether you want to change the look of your face or make a dramatic statement, colored lenses allow you to create that particular eye color you had in mind.
Colored contact lenses are becoming increasingly popular, and there is an increasingly wider range of colors and effects available to choose from. With the help of your eye specialist, you are sure to be able to find a colored lens that is not only comfortable to wear but also best meets your personal and desired appearance.