What to Know Before Buying Colored Contacts

Colored contacts have become increasingly popular, giving people a completely new look. Many celebrities wear them, which could possibly account for their popularity. If you want to wear colored contacts or are planning to buy them, there are some limitations and aspects you should be aware of.

For this reason, we have compiled this list of what to know before buying colored contacts, so you get the most out of it.

Are colored contacts safe?

Wearing the (Food and Drug Administration) FDA-approved colored contact lenses prescribed by your optometrist is safe. 

If you follow basic guidelines for inserting, removing, and replacing your contacts, they are just as safe as regular contact lenses. However, contact lens users are still susceptible to risk even if they follow basic guidelines. 

According to one study, over 80% of people who wear contacts cut corners in their contact lens care routines. This includes:

• not replacing their lenses regularly,
• sleeping in them, or
• not seeing their eye doctor regularly.

So, don't carelessly handle your contacts to avoid infection or eye damage.

Do I need to get a prescription for colored contact lenses?

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations require all optometrists and ophthalmologists to provide patients with a copy of their contact lens prescription, whether they request it or not. Contact lens prescriptions contain essential details that you need to keep on hand, including:

• The brand of your colored contacts.
• Diameter/base curves of the lenses.
• Right and left power/sphere.
• The name of the doctor or clinic that prescribed the lenses.
• The license number of the prescribing physician.
• A valid expiration date.

If your contacts need repair or replacement, this information is helpful. 

Colored contacts are regular contacts with dye on them.

The meaning of colored contacts is unfamiliar to most people. Colored contact lenses have been dyed with biologically compatible dyes while remaining transparent in the interior so that the wearer can see through the lenses clearly. Patients with ocular injuries who need contacts to assist their eyes in blocking out excess light can wear them for cosmetic reasons and therapeutic purposes. 

Are colored contacts more expensive than regular contacts?

Colored contacts are more expensive than regular lenses. As you can see, natural-looking lenses that modify the appearance of the eye need extra craftsmanship. Although colored contacts are costly, many people prefer the colored contacts' appearance and are willing to invest in them.

Are there any risks to wearing colored contacts?

Colored contact lens wearers may face side effects similar to those who wear regular contacts. The FDA reports these possible side effects of wearing eye color changing contacts:

• Abrasion of the cornea
• Eye irritation
• Eye infections
• Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
• Corneal ulcers

When inserting and removing contact lenses, always keep your hands clean and familiarize yourself with contact lens care. You should see your eye doctor if you experience redness, itchiness, or blurred vision, which are signs of an eye infection.

Think About the Tint

It's critical to realize that colored contact lenses are medical devices and not just for cosmetic purposes. Your vision is vital as well as your comfort.

If you decide to buy colored contacts, you should determine what tint works best for you. To help you decide, here are the three primary tints you may choose from.

1.Opaque 

Tints with opaque colors do not appear transparent. You can use them to change the color of your eyes dramatically from a darker to a lighter shade or the perceived shade from a darker to a lighter shade. There are several kinds of tints available:

• Green
• Gray
• Blue
• Hazel
• Amethyst
• Brown
• Violet

2. Enhancement 

Enhancement tints are colorless and darker than visibility tints. It does not change the eye's color significantly. Thus, it enhances natural eye color, and it is ideal for people with light-colored eyes who wish to add dramatic accents, such as brighter accents of blue, green, or violet.

3. Visibility 

However, even though the visibility tint has a green or blue component, it does not alter the color of the eye in any way. As a result, it allows users of contact lenses to see the lens with greater clarity during insertion or removal of the lens.

Colored Contacts Important Guidelines

• Avoid wearing contacts if you have red, tired, or swollen eyes.
• Do not buy colored contacts from retailers without a prescription.
• Be sure to wash your hands before and after handling your contacts.
• Avoid wearing your contacts for an extended period of time unless advised by your eye doctor.
• After storing your contacts for more than 30 days, dispose of them as directed; don't wear them after that period.
• Whether you clean your contacts or not, never share your contacts. They've been fitted and prescribed just for you.

We have the right contact lenses for you!

Before buying colored contacts, always go to your eye doctor for a proper prescription. Take these things in mind to maintain the health of your eyes. 

Our Modern Focus Clinic provides high-quality frames for eyeglasses and contact lenses. Let's talk about your eye health today. Call us at (972) 617-8000.