Modern Exercise

Color contacts are a fun new way to celebrate beauty. You may have overlooked the option for yourself, but you’ve most likely noticed amazing color contact lenses in movies, models and in passing. You may be surprised at how many different types there are nowadays. Initially, there was just one solid blanketed soft contact lens to be used for everyone in blue, green or hazel. Now there are enhancement tints to revive your tired eyes, opaque multi-color lenses that look natural yet impressive, and even practical light filtering tints to help athletes.

There are four basic types of coloured contact lens to choose from, and you don’t have to be a glasses-wearer or corrective lens wearer to get them. If you do need a contact lens prescription for astigmatism or especially dry eyes, then there are plenty of tinted soft contact lenses from which to choose.

The first type of colored contacts are visibility tints, which simply helps one see the contacts if they are dropped. While it may seem as though there’s a light green or blue tint, it really won’t affect the color of your eyes.

The second type are enhancement tints, which have become exceedingly popular over the years. This solid, but translucent color enhances your existing eye color. This type is ideal for people with blue or green eyes, who want to enhance the color around the edges or the pupil a little more. “Expressions Accents” make a great choice for natural - but striking - eye color.

The third type is called “opaque color tints.” These are comprised of solid color patterns intended to change dark eyes. Color tints come in Hazel, Jade Green, Sapphire Blue, Violet, Chestnut Brown, Amethyst and Misty Gray. “Freshlook Colorblends” are a fantastic option, as they naturally blend a green outer ring with a hazel/brown inner ring, or several shades of blue, etc, creating a more natural look. Another popular brand is the “Acuevue Two Colors Opaques.”

Lastly, there are the light-filtering tints, which work sort of like sunglasses and are ideal for sports players. Often the yellow of tennis balls or the white of golf balls are slightly enhanced with this lens. The “Maxsight” brand is worn by professional baseball players, golfers, trap-shooters and skiers.

You may choose daily, weekly, or monthly color contacts. Since protein, calcium and lipids can form on the surface of your eye, or bacteria can be trapped beneath the contacts, it’s important to adhere to a lens care schedule. The benefit of a daily lens is that it may feel slightly more comfortable, cleaner, wetter, etc, although the price is higher. The benefit of a weekly or monthly disposable contact is that the material is a little thicker and less apt to rip or tear.

To get your pair of color contacts, you will need a contact lens prescription from an optometrist, even if you don’t require eye correction. In 2004, the FDA seized shipments of illegal colored lenses being imported for sale without prescriptions. Some non-corrective cosmetic lenses sold over-the-counter presented significant risks because of poor labeling, packaging and promoting. Therefore, since 2005, it has been mandated that one must purchase safely through an eye doctor. Stay away from discount contact lenses sold in bargain stores, flea markets and cosmetic counters, as they are breaking the law!

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