Help!! Placing an order for colour contacts.

Apr 27, 2014

Mimi G.

Hello ladies, I'm just about to place an order for contacts and I have no idea how to go about it and what colours to choose from. I'm so confused lol. I either want grey or blue. I don't know what would suit me best since I'm going blond tomorrow so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated :)

Apr 27, 2014

Aurora S.

I'd go with green, grey or honey colored :) depending on what blonde you're doing if it's more of an ash color then I'd go with grey but if it's more golden blonde then go for green or honey lenses :)

Apr 27, 2014

Jamie D.

I would recommend seeing an eye doctor before ordering, because you need to get contacts that are the right fit for your eyes otherwise the contacts can cause damage to your eyes.

Apr 28, 2014

Linn L.

I agree with Jamie. You should get the correct measurements first and not risk damaging your eyesight.

Apr 28, 2014

Emily W.

Colored contacts are not just an accessory to be taken lightly. They need to fit your eye properly or you risk painful damage and permanent vision impairment.

See an optometrist and get measured. Not everyone can wear contacts; it depends on the shape of your eyes. Pay particular attention to base curve (sometimes abbreviated to BC or B-C) and power (if you need vision correction). GETTING FITTED IS NOT OPTIONAL. IF YOUR LENSES DO NOT FIT, YOU WILL INJURE YOUR EYES.

After (and only after) you have been fitted, you can look for lenses. In the United States, lenses are governed by the FDA as medical devices and can only be sold by licensed optometry offices with a prescription. This is a very safe option that guarantees they will fit and be made properly. However, these are often extremely expensive ($80+) per pair.

Ordering lenses online from another country is a cheaper, but riskier option. You have to do research and make sure that the seller is legitimate, that the lenses are genuine (counterfeit lenses do exist, and they are dangerous), and that the lens is offered in your prescription (base curve, power, and toric if you have astigmatism). There are several sites that are reputable that I personally have done business with for years.

Colored lenses shouldn't be worn every day, or longer than a few hours a day. The pigment makes the lenses thicker, which blocks oxygen from reaching the cornea--leading to hypoxia. At first your eyes will feel dry and tired, but if left too long vision damage will occur. The more opaque the color, the thicker the lens, the faster this occurs.

The biggest factor for comfort (after proper fit) is water content. The higher the water content of the lens, the more flexible and comfortable it will be.

Contact lenses are an investment and a responsibility. They have specific care (a proper case, solution, and hygiene requirements), and can cost a lot of money to get started (optometry visit can be high depending on insurance--a lot of insurances won't cover a lens fitting for non-vision lenses; cost of lenses anywhere from $20 to $50 a pair without shipping, cost of solution and cases). It is imperative that people understand that contacts are a piece of plastic on your eye. Done improperly, you can go blind (and it will be painful while it happens). There are a lot of risks with contact lenses (infections, abrasions, hypoxia, and worse).

Colored contacts aren't like popping in a pair of earrings. Yes, they can be a fun way to change your look. However, they take a lot of effort and preparation to do properly. If you aren't willing to do it correctly (that is, getting a fitting and do your research), do not purchase any lenses. It isn't worth risking your eyesight for the sake of vanity.

Apr 30, 2014

Aurora S.

I agree with getting fitted but usually the base curve isn't much of an issue unless you have astigmatism which is more of an oval eye and you wouldn't know unless you've seen an eye doctor about it.

I purchase Korean contacts which are approved by the Korean FDA. Now, the called the MFDS.

I personally wear colored contacts daily and my vision has gotten better. I went from a -4.75 and now a -4.25 although I make sure to keep eye drops and clean the lenses with solution and all that. As for colored lenses being thicker, it isn't necessarily true. The water content of most colored lenses are lower which is sufficient for most but if you have a higher water content pair of lenses they draw moisture from the eyes and can make the eyes more dry and since the higher water content lenses have a higher water content they tend to be more flimsy so they make them thicker than the lower water content lenses.

With lenses it's important to clean them as many have gone blind due to leaving them in and getting infections by not using the disinfectant solution for lenses.
I've talked about this with a couple of eye doctors and my eyes are better then when I used the Freshlook lenses or acuvue but you definitely need to get them fitted and ask for a copy of the prescription to look at the vase curve as well as any power