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Monthly color contact lenses come in various styles, each catering to different preferences and needs. They can either be cosmetic or non-cosmetic. Cosmetic lenses are designed to enhance or alter the natural eye color, while costume lenses are used for special effects. Such variations in functionality can be, to some extent, in the lens material, opacity, and patterns of the lenses. So far, the following types, based on the intended purpose of the monthly color contact lenses, have been identified:
Opaque tints are designed to completely change the natural eye color. They are ideal for individuals with dark or light eye colors who want a dramatic change. These lenses have a solid color that covers the entire iris area, ensuring the new color is visibly more pronounced. An example of an opaquely tinted lens is the Comfort Lens, which offers a wide range of colors, from deep blues to vibrant greens. These lenses are suitable for everyday wear, offering a noticeable difference in eye appearance.
Enhancement tints are intended to slightly alter the eye color, adding depth or a shimmer effect. These were usually targeted toward specific user groups. For example, enhancement tints, like Acuvue Color Contacts, adjust the wearers' eye color to match their clothes or other fashion accessories for the day. Such fractional usage makes them suitable for wearers to achieve a more natural look.
Design or patterned lenses are made to create unique or irregular patterns on the eye. They are mostly used for special purposes, such as creating a look that matches a particular character in a role-play or a movie. Nonetheless, they can also be used for cosmetic enhancement. They can be opaque or translucent, depending on the effect desired. Popular designs include honeycomb or spiral patterns, which provide a striking and unconventional look. These lenses are usually made more aesthetically appealing and, thus, are worn primarily for aesthetic purposes.
Visibility tints are not primarily intended to change eye color but are rather intended to make the lenses easily seen during handling and insertion. These tints are usually light colors that do not affect the overall appearance when worn. They are helpful for those new to contact lenses, as they provide an assurance that the lenses are correctly positioned to avoid eye discomfort. Daily disposable colored contact lenses often include visibility tints to aid users in managing their lenses effectively.
Special effect lenses are designed to create dramatic and unique appearances. They are popular for use in movies and stage performances as they can change the wearer's eye appearance. From cat-eye designs to vampire or zombie effects, these lenses offer a wide range of looks. They are usually made from durable and safe materials for long-term wear. An example of this type is holiday contact lenses, which can be worn for themed parties, Halloween, or other such events resembling certain characters or creatures.
Choosing the right colored contact lenses requires careful consideration of several factors. Meeting medical contacts or protecting surgical eye area lenses while maintaining comfort and style should be of equal concern.
An eye specialist will help to assess the client's eye state and comfort level with specific lens types, especially affected eye types or past eye afflictions. Visitation to an eye specialist should be the first step before purchasing color contact lenses.
Be clear about the effect the colored contact lenses should have on the eyes. It ranges from a natural look to special effects, such as turning the eyes into a character's eyes, for movies and role-play. Caution: Most enhancement tints only add a little color to the eyes. Hence, opaque tints should be selected instead if the eye color is dark. Regular activities without adequate care can lead to eye infections. Buyers should prioritize comfort over beauty by buying lenses that match their eyes.
Buyers should look for lenses made from breathable materials that help keep the eyes moist and comfortable during wear. Lenses made to serve longer durability, such as validity, must also be checked. Lenses with higher water content are more likely to stay in their original condition and are more comfortable.
Monthly contacts come in different prescription strengths, including astigmatism correction and presbyopia. The lens base curve and diameter must match the eye surface to maintain comfort. Using the wrong prescription can lead to irritation and damage to the cornea, the eye's outermost surface.
Buyers should evaluate their lens maintenance in cases where care is needed. Some lenses demand more complicated cleaning and disinfecting processes. For people with difficult work schedules, choosing an easy care routine will be easier. There are also daily disposable options that don't involve lens maintenance.
Some colored contact lenses provide ultraviolet filters that protect the eyes from harmful sun rays. People who spend more time outdoors should consider lenses with UV protection. Contact lens manufacturers also offer lenses made with hydrogel materials that add moisture to the lens for extra comfort. Hydrophobic contact lenses are also available, but they require extra moisturizing solutions.
There are basically two areas in which technology has advanced within monthly color contacts in terms of design: the pattern and the motif. As discussed earlier, the patterns can range from the most regular designs resembling the wearer's natural iris to designs that imitate animal eyes, abstract forms, or even iconic figures. In all these patterns, eye-catching colors, such as neon or pastel shades, can replace the natural iris. This enhances the aesthetic feature of the lenses.
Realistic iris patterns are typical of cosmetic lenses that are used for eye beautification. Such practical patterns incorporate details like radiating lines and color blotches to mimic the natural iris. Only pure cosmetic lenses use such designs to enhance or change the natural eye color. They are developed using advanced 3D-Blending Technology that overlays an average of four colors on the lens surface. Doing this makes the transition from the iris to the lens appear natural, no matter what color the lens is. This technology applies to various lenses with realistic iris patterns, such as the FreshLook ColorBlends that enhance the eyes but make no drastic changes.
On the other hand, theatrical lenses feature entirely different patterns, such as animals like a cat, mandrill, or scary ones like a zombie or pupil-hexagon that alter the eye's appearance into something gross. These are mostly made with opaque patterns and are worn for theatrical performances, festivals, or cosplay. These special lenses, like the Crazy Lenses range, are bold and designed using patented materials that ensure the patterns stay in place even with lens movement.
Geometric and abstract designs are becoming popular among people who like to adopt fashionable or style statements. These lenses bear unique shapes like circles, triangles, or lines and can be in constant or changing colors. The designs can be as simple as a single motif in low-key hues or complex with contrasting colors. Such patterned lenses, like the Vassen Dolly Lens, can transform the eye into a piece of art, appealing to fashion enthusiasts and those attending themed events.
Seasonal or themed patterns are color contact lenses worn on occasions or holidays. These can include heart patterns in red and pink for Valentine's Day or flag designs for a more patriotic expression on Independence Day. Such lenses are manufactured with light, fun designs, such as patterns of flowers or snowflakes, that cover the entire lens. This is exactly what makes them fun additions for holiday parties or events, just like the Vision Marketplace lenses, which are produced in many different seasonal patterns.
The main concern in constructing the materials for monthly color contact lenses is the safety and comfort of the users' eyes, as well as the lenses' performance. A variety of materials are used to fulfill this role, depending on their water content, oxygen permeability, and opacity. Here are the common types of materials and their features:
Hydrogel materials are typical for colored contact lenses with high water content. Water helps in the overall creation of hydrogels. It was responsible for keeping the lens moist, thus providing comfort when wearing it. Such lenses are effective within the first few hours of wearing them. Due to the structure of hydrogel lenses, they have a high ideal water content and are typical for wearers of high-comfort contacting lenses. However, the high-water content can lead to more deposits on the lens, increasing maintenance demands.
Silicone hydrogel lenses also contain water. However, silicone is a hydrogel material that increases oxygen permeability. In layman's terms, oxygen permeability refers to the amount of oxygen that can pass through the lens material to the eye. It helps prevent dry eyes and allows the lens to be worn longer, even for a full day. Many monthly colored contact lenses use silicone hydrogels, combining comfort and health benefits.
Colored contact lenses are made using poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) plastics and other polymers, such as nylon and cellulose acetate. Despite being less common due to the low oxygen permeability of these materials, PMMA is most useful for cosmetic lenses in Theatrical or special effect category since it can be effectively cut into different eye shapes. Although not as breathable as hydrogel materials, PMMA lenses are known for their stability concerning shape and immune turbidity, making them sturdy and long-lasting for the user.
Bi-weekly colored contact lenses are primarily made from various hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers. The two-week lenses combine different polymers into a composite material to create a balanced lens satisfying hydration, oxygen permeability, and durability. Desmethyl, or hydrophobic polymers, contribute to lens stability. Still, hydrophilic ones provide the comfort factor. This lies in considering how regularly clean the lenses are before being disposed of.
Some manufacturers add acrylic polymers with surfactant additives, antimicrobial agents, or cleansing solutions directly in the lens material. Such lenses are easier to maintain hygienically, reducing the risk of infections. Additives such as stabilizers also aid the color in the lenses from fading or bleeding, keeping the lenses safe and effective for the month.
To keep the contacts in their normal form and uphold wearers' eye safety and comfort, adequate maintenance is necessary. Regardless of the contact type or enhancement, lens maintenance includes cleaning, disinfecting, storing, and replacing. Below are some generalized dos and don'ts of maintaining contact lenses.
Always disinfect colored lenses with a multipurpose solution that cleans, rinses, disinfects, and conditions for storage. A contact lens-specific solution, not water or saliva, should be used, as those can cause lens damage and eye irritation. Antimicrobial solutions, like Biofinity disinfecting solution, can be used with lenses that require strong disinfection, such as biweekly and monthly extended-wear lenses. Replacing disinfecting solutions after every storage is advised; otherwise, doing so may result in a higher risk of infection due to the growth of pathogens.
Accidents like scratches, infections, and lens breakage can occur when contact lenses are mishandled. Wash and dry the hands with a lint-free towel before touching the lenses to avoid transferring dirt or oil. Lenses should also be handled only while in a clean environment. Avoid areas that are more likely to come into contact with food or water spills.
Always store the lenses in a clean, dry case. Multipurpose solutions can be used to clean the case, and the cap should be thoroughly dried before storing the lenses. Lens cases should be replaced every three months to avoid bacterial growth. Colored contact lenses shouldn't be stored in the same case with other lenses. It's more hygienic and safer to store them in different cases. Store the case without the lenses in a cool, dry area to prevent the growth of germs in it.
The lenses should not be exposed to water in any way; doing so will increase the moisture level, which is detrimental to the lenses, as contact with water will distort the shape. More importantly, exposing them to water can cause microorganisms to transfer to the lenses, increasing the chances of eye infections. Contact lenses should also not be worn while swimming or showering.
This relates to the specific kind of contact lenses called colored contact lenses. Overwearing or stretching the wear time of aesthetic contact lenses causes discomfort and affects the corneal health of the eye. Check the lifespan of the lenses before using them. Return daily disposable lenses to the bin after a day of usage. Biweekly and monthly lenses should be worn for no longer than their designated time. Dispose of extended-wear lenses after one month of usage, depending on the product.
A1: No, it's not recommended to sleep with monthly color contact lenses. Extended-wear lenses are specifically designed to be worn continuously, including during sleep, as they are made from oxygen-permeable materials. However, regular monthly lenses are intended for daily wear and must be removed before sleeping. Sleeping in regular lenses can cause discomfort, dryness, and, more importantly, a risk of eye infections due to lack of oxygen exposure to the cornea.
A2: Risks associated with wearing colored contact lenses include eye infections, corneal damage, and allergic reactions, especially if proper hygiene and care procedures are not followed. Using non-prescription lenses without proper sizing or medical advice can lead to irritation or even vision problems. Avoiding these complications requires maintaining cleanliness, not exposing the lenses to water, only using lens-safe solutions, and visiting eye specialists to ensure the right products are being used for the eyes.
A3: Yes, colored contact lenses can be designed to correct vision. Many colored contact lenses have prescriptions to help in correcting short or farsightedness and astigmatism. Cosmetic lenses have different water content and oxygen permeability, which makes them more aligned to one another. There are also prescription contact lenses that have enhancement tints, opaque tints, or pattern tints to correct vision and change eye color.
A4: The contact lens case has to be replaced after every three months. Cleaning the case should be done daily using a disinfecting solution that matches the lenses. Make sure the case is fully dried before placing the lenses in it. Replacing the case regularly helps in avoiding bacterial growth and contamination, which can cause eye infections.
A5: Remove the lenses immediately if colored contacts are uncomfortable. Discomfort can happen due to several reasons: dryness, irritation, or deposits on the lenses. Cleansing and conditioning the lenses with suitable solutions can bring back comfort. Should the irritation develop into red eyes or excessive watering, it is advised to visit an eye care practitioner for help. There are also suggestions on how to reduce discomfort.
