Have you been searching for a new look? Changing your eye color can make a definite but subtle change in the way your face looks, and it's easily achieved with colored contacts. Or, if you're looking to make a more dramatic statement, you can do it with decorative contacts that let you change your eyes in obvious and unlikely ways – turn your eyes red like those of a vampire or make your human eye look like a cat's eye. It's a fun, non-permanent way to experiment with modifying your look. Here are a few things that you'll need to know in order to get the perfect costume contacts for you.
The Eye Exam
Before you can begin picking out colors and styles of contacts, you need to have an eye exam and be fitted for your colored contacts. Even if you have 20/20 vision, you need to have a prescription to buy colored or decorative contacts in the U.S. This is because contacts are considered medical devices by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
A contact lens exam is different from a regular eye exam (although, if it's been a while since you had a regular eye exam, the eye doctor may give you both exams). A regular eye exam tests your vision and also examines your overall eye health. A contact lens exam involves measuring your eyes to find out what size contacts will fit you, checking whether your eyes make enough tears to be able to wear contacts without discomfort, and testing your vision while wearing contacts.
While this may sound like a lot of trouble to go through when you don't actually need your vision corrected, it's actually well worth taking the extra steps. Wearing contacts that don't fit properly can seriously harm your eyes. Poorly fitting contacts can cause abrasions on the eye that can lead to infections and vision problems. For your own safety, you should never buy costume contacts from any retailer who doesn't require proof of a prescription.
The Type of Contact
Once you've had your contact lens exam, you'll have three categories of colored contact lenses to choose from: daily disposables lenses, extended wear disposable lenses, and non-disposable lenses. As you can tell from the name, daily disposable lenses are meant to be worn once and thrown away at the end of the day, and replaced with a new pair the next day. Extended wear disposables can be worn for anywhere from a week to a few months, and non-disposables should last about a year.
Daily disposables and extended wear lenses are the most common choices. Extended wear disposables are less expensive – a monthly supply can be as little as $12 or as much as $90. Daily disposables start at around $45 a month. They're more expensive because you need to buy them more often. Non-disposables can cost anywhere from $55 to $200, which is a lot to pay all at once, but of course, they won't need to be replaced for a year, which can actually make them a cheaper alternative in the long run.
The Lens Care
Finally, you will need to learn about caring for your lenses. This is most important if you choose extended wear or non-disposable lenses, because you'll need to know how to store them between uses. Since daily disposables are meant to be thrown away after each use, you don't necessarily have to learn how to clean and store them, but you may want to, just in case. You may need to take them out and clean them if you get something in your eye, or you may want to take them out for a few hours and put them back in later.
You'll need to invest in a lens case, sterile contact cleaning solution, and re-wetting drops for your eyes. You should never sleep in your contacts – always take them out at night. You should also avoid swimming while wearing your contacts; they're easy to lose in a pool or the ocean. Make sure that you inspect your lenses for damage or particles of dirt before you put them in, and keep your fingernails short to avoid poking yourself in the eye.
Getting an eye exam, choosing the right type of contact for you, and learning how to take care of your lenses will help keep your eyes healthy when you wear your costume contacts. That way, you'll be able to really enjoy experimenting with your new look. Click here for more information.
Share13 July 2015
I began wearing eyeglasses at a young age, but as a child and teenager, when it came time to choose a new pair every year after my annual eye exam, my parents always let me choose the style and then chose the lens coatings and other options for me before they ordered them. After I moved out on my own as an adult and went to my eye exam and picked out my glasses alone, I was so overwhelmed by all of my glasses options that I had to call my parents for advice! Since then, I have dedicated myself to learning all about eyeglasses, so I can make the best choices on my own without my parents help. I have learned a lot about them and want to share what I have learned with others on a blog! I hope I can help you make the best eyeglasses decision!
