Colored Contacts

[Saphire]

I am interested in getting some contacts for blue eyes to enhance my color (for special occasions), but I don't want to go the prescription route. Can anyone recommend a good online company to order from? Thank-you!

 

[Handbag Lady]

I am interested in getting some contacts for blue eyes to enhance my color (for special occasions), but I don't want to go the prescription route. Can anyone recommend a good online company to order from? Thank-you!

No.


Please see an eye doctor regardless of needing an Rx. Contacts need to be fitted correctly or you can damage your eyes.


And I've always wanted violet eyes but they can't change my boring hazel to violet.

 

[ilovepcot]

I wanted colored contacts only to change eye color but couldn't find a place locally or online without a prescription. This was several years back - maybe someone else here knows of a place that doesn't require a script. I was also told by the tech at the eye doctor's office that what Handbag Lady said is correct. Without proper fitting, contacts can damage eyes.

 

[JediBonas]

No.

Please see an eye doctor regardless of needing an Rx. Contacts need to be fitted correctly or you can damage your eyes.

And I've always wanted violet eyes but they can't change my boring hazel to violet.

This^^. You need an eye dr for proper fitting. I've worn colored contacts (prescription) for over 15 years now, love them and only wear colored, but having them fitted is so important, even for plano ones.

 

[bcla]

Even non-corrective contacts require a fitting and prescription. Contacts need to be matched to the size/shape/curvature of the eye.

I've never had decorative contacts, but have had poor-fitting trial contacts that the eye doc immediately could tell didn't fit. If they don't fit properly, they can slide around well under the eye and cause damage to the cornea.

http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm275069.htm

They are not cosmetics or over-the-counter merchandise. They are medical devices regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Places that advertise them as cosmetics or sell them without a prescription are breaking the law.

They are not “one size fits all.” An eye doctor (ophthalmologist or optometrist) must measure each eye to properly fit the lenses and evaluate how your eye responds to contact lens wear. A poor fit can cause serious eye damage, including

• scratches on the cornea (the clear dome of tissue over the iris - the part of the eye that gives you your eye color)
• corneal infection (an ulcer on the cornea)
• conjunctivitis (pink eye)
• decreased vision
• blindness
• Places that sell decorative lenses without a prescription may give you few or no instructions on how to clean and care for your lenses.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/dangers-of-decorative-contact-lenses/

Laura Butler was driving with her 3 year-old in the back seat when she was suddenly blinded. She turned her brown eyes blue with colored contact lenses she had just purchased at a novelty store without a prescription.

Butler told CBS News, "It was an excruciating pain. … It felt like I had been cut with something very sharp, and not just once."

One of the contact lenses sliced Laura's cornea, causing a viral infection in her left eye.

Butler said, "The doctor ultimately told me the result of that kind of injury could be permanent vision loss."

 

[Minerva Mouse]

Yep, Yep, and Yep. You still need to see an eye care professional. Wearing contacts can also decrease the amount of oxygen to your eye, which can cause major problems, and even blindness, for some people. There are too many what if's, and's, and but's to not take every necessary precaution when it comes to your eyes.

A contact fitting should run you around $60. Peace of mind is worth every penny.

 

[bcla]

I'd just clarify something since there's a bit of confusion. All contact lenses sold in the US require a prescription, including non-corrective ones (someone else noted the technical term "plano"). They are medical devices with a high risk of eye injury if not fitted properly. They are typically fitted for size of the lens and "base curve". Some of these novelty lenses are sold as one size fits most, but quality lenses will often come in two, four, or more different size/base curve combinations. I remember asking about certain lenses that only came in one size/BC combination, and the eye doc said it wasn't likely to fit.

Even with a proper fitting I had ones that itched like crazy and where the eye doc replaced them for free with better fittings ones.

It's just not worth the risk of losing your vision just to save a little. Once you have a prescription and your eye doc will release it to you (some won't, mine always will) you can use that to purchase lenses cheaper elsewhere.

 

[Lynne M]

Even if you find some company that sells contacts without a prescription....don't do it. If they're willing to break the law to make a buck, I sure wouldn't be trusting them with my vision. Who knows what condition the lenses are in, if they're sterile, etc.

As others have said, all contact lenses have to be fitted precisely to your eye. To the millimeter. If they're not, they're going to damage your eye or cause you a heck of a lot of pain. I've worn contacts for decades, and there's no describing the pain of having a messed-up lens in your eye. And corneal abrasions or infections are even worse. If you scratch your eye with a lens that doesn't fit you right, you'll be missing your special occasion because you'll be spending the day laying on the sofa with an ice pack on your face and antibiotic ointment in your eye.

If you want to do this, go to Lenscrafters or Walmart or Costco and see a doctor. Spend the money to do it the safe way. The doctor will also teach you to properly clean and care for the lenses.

 

[bcla]

As others have said, all contact lenses have to be fitted precisely to your eye. To the millimeter. If they're not, they're going to damage your eye or cause you a heck of a lot of pain. I've worn contacts for decades, and there's no describing the pain of having a messed-up lens in your eye. And corneal abrasions or infections are even worse.

There's worse. Acanthamoeba infection is pretty nasty if someone isn't trained on proper hygiene - especially properly drying out the lens case and drying the hands before handling contacts.

As for the sizes, I haven't worn contacts in a while, but I think it's a fraction of a mm that can make the difference between something that fits perfectly and one that can damage the eye. I got a set at my last CL fitting and ordered a bunch, but I didn't actually wear them past the trial lenses. I just recalled most of the lenses I've tried came in two base curves and one diameter. Some only came in one set of parameters. So just picking a lens at random might not even come close to fitting properly. I remember the eye doc checking out trial lenses on an apparatus and checking to see if they moved properly. Some lenses might fit too tight which causes problems - especially sticking if the lenses start to dry out (I've got dry eyes myself and contacts drying out is a problem with me). Some lenses might be too loose and won't center on the cornea.

I mentioned itching before. The worst I ever had was when I was new to CL and probably inserted it backwards. It hurt like crazy and the lens just started floating around rather than centering properly on my cornea. After that incident, I had a bruise on my eyeball that lasted for months.

I'd also say stay far, far away from ones you might find at a convenience store or online without a prescription. They might not be the quality ones sold by the major manufacturers. Some could be cheap and illegal imports of low quality that don't specify any parameters. Some are old stock from when they were legal to sell (2005) and may be well past any reasonable expiration date.

Just one more scare story:

http://www.komonews.com/news/problemsolvers/117130323.html

"I'm lucky I'm not blind," she said. She says her first sign of a problem was sudden agonizing pain. "Burning -- intense, very intense. It made me cry, and I'm not a crier."

Weingeist diagnosed Morris-Hardin with abrasions - tiny cuts - on her corneas. When she bought her contacts over the counter, she says no one warned her of possible injuries.

"Shocked me, I had no idea," she said.

"It's really a crapshoot if you buy a lens over the counter," Weingeist said.

 

[Saphire]

Thanks everyone, I really didn't know much about the topic, thanks for informing me. I will most definitely wait until I see an eye doctor to discuss.

 

[Lynne M]

Thanks everyone, I really didn't know much about the topic, thanks for informing me. I will most definitely wait until I see an eye doctor to discuss.

Good call. There's a huge selection of colored lenses available from the assorted contact lens companies, I'm sure the doctor will have no trouble finding you a pair of colored lenses that you'll love.

I know it probably sounds like we were piling on, but I don't think people really get a sense of the care that has to be taken with contacts until they've worn them. Even with a great doctor and a perfect fitting, things can still go wrong that will make you truly miserable.

 

[bcla]

Good call. There's a huge selection of colored lenses available from the assorted contact lens companies, I'm sure the doctor will have no trouble finding you a pair of colored lenses that you'll love.

I know it probably sounds like we were piling on, but I don't think people really get a sense of the care that has to be taken with contacts until they've worn them. Even with a great doctor and a perfect fitting, things can still go wrong that will make you truly miserable.

Dry eyes + indoors with HVAC. That was a killer combination for me.

Outdoors on a warm day I would have adequate tears to keep the lenses moist. Indoors and exercising was fine too. If I was sweating I was also producing tears.

Some people are actually pretty flexible and will tolerate a wide range of lens materials/parameters. I've heard that others had to keep on trying different ones. Many eventually give up because nothing fits or is comfortable long term.

 

[JediBonas]

Thanks everyone, I really didn't know much about the topic, thanks for informing me. I will most definitely wait until I see an eye doctor to discuss.

Wonderful! Make sure you take good care of them, they can really dry your eyes out. I will forewarn you most eye drs aren't a fan of colored contacts because they don't let your eye breath as much as other ones, but I've never had one deny me a prescription for them, even the cornea specialist was ok with them as long as I didn't wear them 24/7 (I do wear colored ones every day). As someone mentioned earlier corneal abrasions are super painful, so listen to the dr . Have fun with them, too!

 

[bcla]

Wonderful! Make sure you take good care of them, they can really dry your eyes out. I will forewarn you most eye drs aren't a fan of colored contacts because they don't let your eye breath as much as other ones, but I've never had one deny me a prescription for them, even the cornea specialist was ok with them as long as I didn't wear them 24/7 (I do wear colored ones every day). As someone mentioned earlier corneal abrasions are super painful, so listen to the dr . Have fun with them, too!

Depends on the material. Some colored contacts are made with the same base material as a similar non-colored lenses. And most lenses will have some sort of tint for better visibility for insertion or cleaning.

It's the novelty ones that are probably the worst. I thought the reputable ones from major manufacturers should be equivalent. However, often the colored ones aren't available in the most advanced materials - like silicone hydrogel.

 

[Handbag Lady]

Depends on the material. Some colored contacts are made with the same base material as a similar non-colored lenses. And most lenses will have some sort of tint for better visibility for insertion or cleaning.

It's the novelty ones that are probably the worst. I thought the reputable ones from major manufacturers should be equivalent. However, often the colored ones aren't available in the most advanced materials - like silicone hydrogel.

I see my lenses EVERY day and I even forgot that they are slightly tinted blue so that I can see them better.

Now that I have a great FSA, I might just see about getting a few pairs of really color lenses to see what color would look good on me. I'd love green eyes, too.

And I'm very happy the OP is taking our advice.

 

[hops&dreams]

Just posting to agree with pp. I am a board certified optician - the person that dispenses glasses, teaches you about how to put in/take out/care for your contacts (commonly called a First Fit). While I haven't practiced in years, everything pp said is true.

As for fit, yes, base curves very minutely, but can make all the difference in the world. We had some that came in 8.3, 8.6, and 8.9, and then they came with 55% and 36% (I can't think of the word right now, but the 55% let more oxygen through - and cost more!) We'd always try the 36's first, but if they needed more o2, they always had the option of going up to the 55.

Drs (optometrists) will do the fitting of the contact lens. They might give you a free trial pair at this fitting. They will want to see you back in a couple of weeks, after you've worn the contacts for a majority of the day to see how they are effecting the health of your eye. Because contacts cover the cornea, they can mess with your tear film/production, the oxygen that is available to your tissues, and cause issues with inside of the eye lids.

I've seen some GROSS stuff that can happen to your eyes with improper fit and care. trust me, you do not want it to happen to you.

Good luck!!! And remember, never touch hot peppers with your hands if you wear contacts. It WILL burn next time.

 

[bcla]

Just posting to agree with pp. I am a board certified optician - the person that dispenses glasses, teaches you about how to put in/take out/care for your contacts (commonly called a First Fit). While I haven't practiced in years, everything pp said is true.

As for fit, yes, base curves very minutely, but can make all the difference in the world. We had some that came in 8.3, 8.6, and 8.9, and then they came with 55% and 36% (I can't think of the word right now, but the 55% let more oxygen through - and cost more!) We'd always try the 36's first, but if they needed more o2, they always had the option of going up to the 55.

You're probably thinking of water content when submerged in solution. The water is far more permeable to oxygen than the polymer. However, that's changed a lot with silicone hydrogel materials. Acuvue Oasys is a silicone hydrogel lens with 38% water content, but with considerably higher oxygen transmission than traditional soft lenses that rely on water to transmit oxygen. Oxygen goes through the polymer more effectively than it does through water.

 

[Lynne M]

Dry eyes + indoors with HVAC. That was a killer combination for me.

Yeah, I went through a long bout with recurrent corneal erosion after one bad abrasion. Horrid. I'd wake up in the early AM, open my eyes, and just be paralyzed by the pain. Missed a lot of work, spent a lot of days at the eye doctor's office. When the silicon hydrogel lenses came out, they were a lifesaver. They acted as a bandage lens to protect my cornea, and I'd wear them 24/7. Still do. That was the only thing that stopped it.

 

[hops&dreams]

You're probably thinking of water content when submerged in solution. The water is far more permeable to oxygen than the polymer. However, that's changed a lot with silicone hydrogel materials. Acuvue Oasys is a silicone hydrogel lens with 38% water content, but with considerably higher oxygen transmission than traditional soft lenses that rely on water to transmit oxygen. Oxygen goes through the polymer more effectively than it does through water.

Exactly! I haven't practiced in years, although I still do keep up my certification with continuing education. It's weird, as I work in architectural design now - totally different field!!!