What Are The Pros And Cons Of Wearing Colored Contact Lenses?

DR. AJAY SHARMA February 7, 2024

While the primary purpose of contact lenses is vision correction and eye care, some individuals utilize them to enhance their daily appearance. Colored contacts are specifically designed for aesthetic purposes and, as the name implies, come in a variety of colors. Depending on their opacity, these lenses can enhance or completely alter your natural eye color. If you’re considering colored contacts, continue reading to explore the pros and cons. This article also provides tips on selecting the most suitable colored contacts for your preferences.

What are Colored Contact Lenses?

Colored contacts refer to contact lenses designed to alter your eye color. For instance, wearing colored contacts can transform brown eyes into a blue hue. The effects of color contacts vary, with three primary tints available: Visibility, enhancement, and opaque. Visibility tint, typically light blue or green, offers a subtle change. Enhancement tint intensifies the natural eye color without altering it, while opaque tint completely changes the eye color, particularly for those with darker eyes. While no medical necessity exists for color contacts, they serve purely aesthetic purposes. However, prescription-colored contacts can be obtained, correcting vision and changing eye color.

Types Of Colored Contact Lenses

Most colored contact lenses are designed to imitate the natural appearance of the colored part of the eye, referred to as the iris. Since these lenses are made of colorful shapes and features, some color contacts are characterized by a chain of small colored dots and radially arranged colored lenses and shapes to help the lenses look more natural to the eye. The center of the lens, the component that lies over your pupil, is obvious so that you can see it. The tinted contact lenses are available in the following types..

• Visibility tint

This is commonly a light blue or inexperienced tint delivered to a lens, simply to help you see it higher at some point of insertion and removal, or in case you drop it. Visibility tints are faint and do not impact eye color.

• Enhancement tint

These lenses work to increase natural eye color and make some minor adjustments. These lenses fit individuals with light eye color to facilitate color or shape change.

• Blending tints

These contact lens colours are designed with tints that emerge gradually, extra opaque from the outside edges, which permits a more natural-looking new eye colour.

• Opaque tint

This is a non-transparent tint that could change your eye color completely. If you have darkish eyes, you may want this type of color contact lens to change your eye color.

Color contacts with opaque tints come in a wide variety of colors, including hazel, green, blue, violet, amethyst, brown, and gray. Costume or theatrical contact lenses also fall into the class of opaque color tints. Long used in the movies, those special-impact contact lenses are broadly available for novelty use. You can temporarily transform yourself into an alien, goth, or vampire, to name a few.

Who Can Wear Colored Contact Lenses?

Colored contact lenses offer a popular means of changing one’s natural eye color, whether for a subtle enhancement or a more striking transformation. These lenses are accessible with corrective power for eye care, those with prescriptions, or for cosmetic purposes. Individuals may opt for contact lenses to enhance or completely transform their eye color, add depth or intensity to their natural hues, or even enhance the overall effect of their Halloween costumes.

Are Colored Contact Lenses Safe?

As long as your contacts have an accompanying doctor’s prescription and are well-outfitted, worn, and maintained, they may be worn thoroughly.

If you decide to wear tinted contact lenses, absolutely comply with our eye health practitioner’s instructions at Skipper Eye-Q International Eye Hospitals. If you want to change your eye color most effectively for special activities like weddings and birthday parties, you may consider the use of everyday disposable color contacts.

Keep in mind that not every type of colored contact lens available in the market is secure for use. For example, black sclera contacts, which offer more dramatic eye color modifications, can cause infection in your eyes and affect your vision. Also, if you wear colored contacts that are not well suited for your eye measurements, you experience bacterial infections as well as corneal abrasions and ulcers. Your eyes may experience discomfort or even pain if you do not wear contact lenses, which can be medically prescribed and certified secure for use.

Pros And Cons Of Wearing Colored Contact Lenses

Colored contact lenses are an effective and great way to change your look and are in trend. But if these are not fitted properly, it may harm your eyes.

Every person has a unique eye shape that needs to be measured before purchasing colored contact lenses. These colored lenses come in various tints, including visibility, enhancement, and opaqueness, according to different aesthetic preferences.

You can enjoy wearing colored lenses, but you must know their pros and cons before deciding. However, colored contact lenses are generally considered safe, but before you start wearing them, consult your optometrist or ophthalmologist.

Pros of colored contact lenses

Colored contact lenses have various pros, some of which are listed below:-

• Enhancing the style– Colored contact lenses are great for all styles and can enhance overall appearance. These lenses are the easiest way to transform your look.

• Versatility– The colored contact lenses are versatile and add an element of creativity and fun to the appearance.

• Add an extra element– Colored contact lenses are stylish and can enhance your look.

• Available in many prescriptions– Like regular contact lenses, colored ones are available in many prescription strengths and cater to the need for vision correction.

• Comes in various types– They come in various types, which you can choose to suit your lifestyle. You can choose fresh lenses daily, or you can select biweekly or monthly lenses as well.

Cons of wearing colored lenses

Colored contact lenses are expensive compared to standard contact lenses. It needs proper care and storage to avoid eye infections. Before you wear color-contact lenses, you must ensure they are right for you. Thus, it is vital to consult an eye specialist and get the right color contacts. Like pros, colored lenses have several cons. Below we have listed some crucial cons, which are:-

• Involves Discomfort– The eye colour change is temporary and is done by colored contact lenses and lasts till you wear them. Many find them less comfortable, and they might not always produce the desired visual effect.
• Severe Eye infections– Improper use of colored contact lenses can lead to severe eye infections. The doctor advises taking proper care and following proper hygiene practices, like hand washing and using appropriate lens solutions, to reduce the risk of these infections.
• Cost– The cost of colored contact lenses is higher than regular ones.
• It is a trial-and-error process– Attaining the desired effect with colored contact lenses is not guaranteed, as some can irritate your eyes and obstruct your vision.

Before you choose the best-colored contact lenses, you must consult an eye specialist to learn all about them. It is necessary to weigh all the pros and cons of colored lenses before using them. Visit Skipper Eye Q, one of the leading hospitals, with a team of experienced eye doctors to help you and guide you.

How to Choose Colored Contacts?

Selecting the ideal colored contact lenses involves considering several factors. Factors such as the darkness of your irises, skin tone, and hair color play a role in this decision. However, the ultimate choice of color and design will hinge on the specific look you aim to achieve.

For a subtle enhancement of your natural eye color, consider enhancement-tinted contacts matching the color of your iris. These contacts accentuate the iris’s edge and intensify its natural hue. If you desire a complete change in your natural eye color, opt for opaque-tinted contacts in your preferred color.

How to Wear Colored Contacts Correctly?

Initiate the process with a visit to your eye doctor for an examination and prescription, adhering to the same protocol whether you require corrective contact lenses or are exploring non corrective options.

• Ensure you purchase contact lenses from a reputable retailer, seek FDA-approved lenses from a well-known manufacturer, or directly through your eye doctor’s office. Only engage with vendors that mandate a prescription, steering clear of purchases from beauty stores, costume shops, or street vendors.
• Handle your contacts precisely, meticulously adhering to your eye doctor’s instructions regarding cleaning, disinfecting, storing, and wearing your colored lenses. Avoid tap water or saliva, and wash your hands thoroughly before handling your contact lenses.

Promptly contact your eye doctor if you experience discomfort, redness, eye pain, or blurred vision. Immediate attention is essential in addressing any concerns related to your eye health.

Conclusion

Colored contact lenses offer individuals a creative means to enhance or transform their natural eye color for aesthetic purposes. The pros include the opportunity for personalized looks, comfort in wear, and availability in various prescription strengths and modalities. However, the cons encompass potential higher costs, a trial-and-error process in achieving desired effects, and the risk of eye irritation with more dramatic options. It is essential to weigh these factors carefully, considering personal preferences and consulting with an eye care professional for the best-suited colored contacts, balancing aesthetic goals with eye health.

FAQs

What are the disadvantages of colored contact lenses?

Non-prescription colored (also known as dress) contacts can cause corneal abrasions and eye ulcers. This makes your eyes extra prone to serious eye infections referred to as keratitis.

Is it safe to wear colored contact lenses?

Safe use of colored contact lenses is vital to keeping your eyes healthy. Colored lenses are perfectly safe to use and may be a good addition to your fashion, if they are used and maintained in a precise way.

Why do I see blurry colored contacts?

An opaque tint with a clear center can result in decreased vision whilst the pupil expands due to low-light situations. This can make it harder to see out of colored contact lenses, especially at night time. As light decreases, your pupils get larger to attempt to take in more light.

Is it ok to sleep with colored contacts?

Sleeping together with your contacts isn’t always recommended by our eye professionals at Skipper Eye-Q International Eye Hospitals. Yes, taking sleep for less than an hour can still enhance your risk of developing contamination and pain in your eyes. Also, no person loves to wake up with “sticky” or dry eyes!

How many hours can you wear Coloured contact lenses?

Don’t wear them longer than 12 hours. If you experience any pain or infection, consult with our optometrist immediately at Skipper Eye-Q International Eye Hospitals.

Are clear contacts better than color?

Not necessarily. It depends on the purpose and frequency of use. Clear contact lenses usually provide more consistent clarity and comfort. Therefore, they are generally better for everyday vision correction. Colored contacts are mainly chosen for cosmetic reasons. Both colored and clear contact lenses are safe when prescribed and used correctly.

Do colored lenses affect vision?

Colored lenses can be the prescription or the non-prescription type. Prescription colored lenses may affect your vision based on their power, but non-prescription lenses don’t. However, in some cases, the tinted area surrounding the clear central zone of the lens can reduce contrast or cause mild blurring. This is especially likely in low-light conditions when your pupil naturally enlarges. Use of proper-fitting and high-quality lenses can minimize these vision disruptions.

What are the risks of colored contacts?

Colored contact lenses can pose a risk if they are not properly prescribed, fitted, or managed. Eye irritation, dryness, blurred vision, allergic reactions, and eye infections are some of the common risks associated with it. The use of poor-quality or over-the-counter cosmetic lenses can reduce oxygen supply to your eyes and increase the risk of corneal ulcers and serious vision issues. To be on the safe side, purchase colored lenses with a valid prescription and use them as advised by the specialist.

Do coloured contacts make your eyes look bigger?

Yes, some colored contact lenses can make your eyes appear bigger. This is usually because they have a defined outer ring, called the limbal ring, or a slightly larger tinted diameter. It creates the illusion of wider and more prominent eyes. However, take note that not all colored lenses have this effect. Your final appearance when using a colored contact depends on the design, color, and fit of the lens.