Contact lenses allow you to see clearly without worrying about fog and water splashes. They come in several materials designed to correct refractive errors without causing discomfort. Because they lay directly on your cornea, they won’t obstruct your peripheral vision. Another thing that contacts can do is change the appearance of your eyes. They can enhance your natural eye color or completely turn it into another hue.
Like standard contacts, you must only get your colored lenses from reliable sources, such as your eye clinic. You must also wear and care for them according to the instructions of your optometrist to avoid eye problems. Continue reading to learn more about colored contact lenses.
What Are Your Colored Contact Lens Options?
Visibility Tint
These lenses only have a tinge of color to make them easier to see when you wear and remove them. Because of the lenses’ color, you can easily find them if they fall. However, the tint is quite pale and won’t alter how your eye looks.
Enhancement Tint
Enhancement tint lenses are translucent and have a slightly more obvious color. These lenses can accentuate your eyes’ natural color. People who want their light-colored eyes to stand out more should consider these contacts.
Blending Tint
Contact lenses with blending tints can change the color of your eyes. They are made with tints that become more opaque from the outside edges, making them look more natural.
Opaque Tint
Is your goal to completely turn your eyes into a different color? Consider lenses with an opaque tint. They can transform even dark-colored eyes. Theatrical or costume contact lenses are also considered opaque-tinted lenses. They are the contacts actors use in shows and movies, allowing them to play different roles like a vampire, werewolf or alien.
What Do Different Colors of Contact Lenses Do?
Yellow-Tinted Lenses
It’s no surprise that people these days spend a significant chunk of their time in front of screens. The more time you stare at your computer or smartphone, the more likely you will develop digital eye strain due to prolonged exposure to blue light. Headaches, dry eye, blurred vision and neck and shoulder pain are among the most common symptoms of this condition.
Too much time in front of digital devices can make it harder for you to sleep because it disrupts your circadian rhythm or sleep-wake cycle. While yellow-tinted lenses or sunglasses can block blue light, they can also alter how other colors look when worn throughout the day. What you can do is wear yellow-tinted eyeglasses when using your computer and swap them for yellow-tinted sunglasses when going outside.
Red or Magenta-Tinted Lenses
Today, you can get contact lenses that help with color blindness or deficiency. They are designed to improve patients’ color perception. Studies found that wearing magenta-to-red contact lenses on the dominant eye will enhance how a person sees color. Do keep in mind that there are no contact lenses that can completely correct color blindness. However, some experience better vision with colored lenses.
Blue-Tinted Lenses
Individuals with seizures experience extreme sensitivity to sudden light flashes, strobe lighting and light stimulation. When exposed to these conditions, a photoparoxysmal response may occur due to an abnormal brain activity episode. Blue-tinted contact lenses can help prevent this brain response. Your eye care provider might recommend these lenses if you have migraines or light-triggered headaches.
Brown or Copper-Tinted Lenses
Do you spend a lot of time on the road? If so, you will benefit from brown or copper-tinted lenses that provide better clarity. They can even help block out sunlight and glare. This type of tinted contact lens can bring out the color red, making stop signs or lights and warning signals more prominent.
Which Type of Colored Contacts Are Ideal for You?
If You Have Dark Eyes
Individuals with dark-colored eyes should consider opaque colored tints. Think about getting hazel or light brown lenses if you want something more natural. Violet, green or blue contact lenses would make your eyes more striking. Bright-colored lenses on dark skin will surely make others stop and stare.
If You Have Light Eyes
An enhancement tint that accentuates the edges of the iris will delicately change your look. These lenses will make your natural eye color look darker and defined. Try green or gray contact lenses if your natural eye color is blue and you want a more subtle change.
Custom-Colored Contacts
Some contact lens manufacturers create custom-colored tints for non-prescription and prescription contact lenses. They come in various colors and some are semi-translucent for a more natural look. These lenses can also conceal an eye injury or a congenital eye defect. Custom lenses can create the appearance of a healthy pupil.
Sport tint contact lenses are used by some athletes to improve their visual performance. These contacts enhance contrast sensitivity, reduce glare and elevate depth perception. Photochromic tint contact lenses are also available. They automatically adjust under different lighting conditions. While they don’t alter your eye’s color, they can decrease the sunlight that enters your eyes in bright environments.
How Do You Care for Your Colored Contacts?
Get Your Contact Lenses From Professionals
In the U.S., you need a prescription for contact lenses, even if you’re only getting them for novelty purposes. It’s the same for non-prescription colored contacts or if you don’t need vision correction. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies contact lenses as medical devices in the country. Regardless of how or why you use them, a prescription from an eye doctor is necessary. It is illegal to sell contact lenses in flea markets, beauty salons, gas stations and places other than your eye clinic.
Take Proper Care of Your Contact Lenses
Colored contacts need to be cleaned, disinfected and stored properly, like standard prescription lenses. You must only use the contact lens solution recommended by your eye doctor and follow their specific care instructions.
Follow Your Contact Lens Replacement Schedule
Colored contact lenses are safe to wear as long as they are worn and taken care of properly. You must see an eye care professional for an eye exam and ensure your lenses fit correctly. Routine eye checks are one way to ensure your contacts are safe and comfortable. Also, follow the replacement schedule of your contact lenses. For instance, if you wear daily disposables, you will need to throw them away at the end of the day.
Remove Your Contacts if They Feel Uncomfortable
If your contacts are starting to irritate your eyes or cause discomfort, take them out immediately. Redness, soreness and irritation are common signs of contact-lens-related eye infection. It could also be a symptom of another eye problem, so contact your eye doctor immediately.
Never Share Your Contacts
Sharing is caring, but not when it comes to contact lenses. It could be tempting to try on your friend’s costume lenses, but it could put you at risk of eye infection. Swapping lenses can contribute to bacteria transmission, increasing the likelihood of eye infections that could cause vision loss.
Try Different Looks
Colored contact lenses allow you to try different looks. Choose contacts that bring out your best facial features. Use them to bring more attention to your eyes or achieve the eye color of your dreams.
