Today there seem to be countless ways to change your look. Whether you love seeking out new fashion trends or like changing your hairstyle every month, there are many ways to express yourself. That doesn’t stop with eye color.
In recent years, people have started using colored contacts to create a completely different persona. Many celebrities use them and may even be responsible for the growing popularity. But you don’t have to be famous to change your look with colored lenses.
If you’ve been thinking about trying out a new eye color, it’s important to first talk to your eye doctor. You have plenty of options, but you need to educate yourself before making a decision.
In this article, we’re going over five important things you should know about colored contacts.
1. Consider the Tint
If you’re considering colored contact lenses, it’s important to understand that these are medical devices and not simply for fun. Your vision and comfort come first.
When choosing your colored contacts, you need to consider the tint that works best for you. To help you decide, let’s look at the three primary tints available.
Opaque
Lenses with an opaque tint are non-transparent. They will change the color of your eye completely. These work best for people with naturally dark eyes.
Visibility
A lens with visibility tent has either a very light green or blue tint applied to it. This tint helps you see the lens while putting them in and also helps spot them if they’re dropped. The color on these is fairly faint.
Enhancement
Colored lenses with this type of tint help enhance your natural eye color. This translucent tint is a bit darker than visibility tint. If you have lighter eyes and want to boost the color for a more intense look, these are for you.
2. Choosing a Color that Suits You
Picking a pair of colored lenses isn’t as easy as simply choosing your favorite color. You may have an idea of what will look best, but they may turn out looking totally wrong.
You’ll first want to think about your skin tone and hair color. Take a look at some examples online and get ideas before making a decision. You also need to think about how subtle or drastic a change you want.
If you’re only seeking a subtle change, consider going with enhancement lenses. These help deepen the tone of your natural eye color and also add definition around the edges of the iris. Taking this route works best if you have a lighter eye color.
If you have a dark eye color and want a subtle change, consider opaque tints with a hazel or blue. You could also go with a lighter version of your natural color.
If you want something that pops and gets people’s attention right away, opt for lenses with a bold color. A deep blue or violet works great.
3. They Come in Different Sizes
Just like regular contacts, colored lenses come in different sizes. The size you wear is extremely important for both comfort and the health of your eyes. This is why a doctor needs to fit your colored contacts for you.
A lens that’s too loose will end up sliding around in your eye and possibly fall out. A tight lens could potentially scratch your eye.
Getting the right fit is especially important with colored lenses. If the colored area slides to a different position, it may result in a strange appearance.
In addition, your pupil naturally changes size depending on the amount of light you’re exposed to. It’s important to wear contacts that fit perfectly in order to maintain good vision and your desired look.
4. Prescription Color Contact Lenses are Safe
You may have heard that colored contacts are unsafe and cause infection or other eye injuries. It’s important to understand that this is a possibility if you buy them without a prescription. However, obtaining them through your eye doctor after an eye exam is totally safe.
Remember, these are medical devices. You should treat them just like a regular pair of vision-correcting contact lenses.
When getting your lenses, you need to have them fitted by your doctor to ensure they’re comfortable and provide the correct vision enhancement. If you only want colored contacts for special occasions, ask about disposable lenses.
Never buy your contacts from a retailer that doesn’t require a prescription. You should also avoid trying to get anime lenses or circle lenses. Your doctor likely won’t prescribe these.
Make sure you to follow any care instructions your doctor provides and ask any questions if something’s unclear. These are meant to enhance your eye color and your vision, so treat them like you would any other contacts.
5. Caring for Your Colored Contacts
Colored contact lenses need to get cleaned and disinfected regularly. They should also be stored using the correct products and procedures. This helps avoid any type of contamination.
You’ll most likely need a multi-purpose, no-rub solution for disinfecting purposes. You’ll also need a case for storing them overnight or when you’re not wearing them.
Always wash your hands before cleaning or handling your lenses. Avoid using water to wash them, as tap and even bottled water may contain bacteria.
Another important thing to remember is that you’ll need to replace your contacts when necessary. Your eye doctor should be able to tell you when your colored contacts need to be thrown out and replaced with new ones.
Aside from following all care instructions just like you would with regular contacts, it’s important you go back for follow-up exams. If you feel any discomfort or think the fit might be off, stop using them and schedule an exam.
Change Your Look with Colored Contacts
With a little color in your contact lenses, you can give your eyes a makeover. The great thing about colored lenses is you have the freedom to wear them when you want, depending on your mood.
Remember, think of these lenses like you would any other type of corrective contacts and only go to your eye doctor for a proper prescription.
