Colored contacts have been around just as long as clear lenses have. Even in the days of RGP lenses in the 60s and 70s there were colored lenses although they were mainly for patients who had a need for the color. They typically had an eye damaged in an accident or a congenital lack of an iris such as people with albinism sometimes have. These lenses were often hand painted and were very expensive.
Colored RGP lenses are still available but most people go with disposable soft contact lenses. There are a few common colored lens brands like Freshlook and Acuvue and some lesser known brands. There are also theatrical and costume lenses for movies and plays as well as Halloween.
Many lenses are available with no power, called plano lenses as well as in prescription form with correction for myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and even some bifocal colored lenses are available.
Lenses come in two types of tints, enhancers and opaques.
A lens that is an enhancer works best for people with lighter colored eyes like blue and green. The color of the lenses is partially transparent and works with the color of the eye and the light to enhance eye color, hence the name. It gives your eyes a fuller, richer color.
On the other hand darker colored eyes like brown typically don’t do well with enhancers because the true eye color will be visible through the lens. This is why opaque lenses are best for darker eyes, they act like a curtain and fully cover the iris with the new color of the lens. Common colors of opaque lenses include blue, hazel, green, gray and violet.
Even though colored contacts are available without power, a prescription is needed to buy the lenses. Contact lenses are considered medical devices by the government. An exam with an Optometrist of Ophthalmologist is needed to get colored lenses.
Are There Any Drawbacks?
For the most part colored contacts are like any other contact lenses and they fit and feel the same. Because the colored part of the lens creates an obscured area of the lens with the tinting it may block light coming into the pupil. This is usually very minor and only noticeable at night when the pupil becomes bigger to let more light in.
Because colored contacts are more of a cosmetic accessory they are often worn less often than regular lenses. They may sit unused in a lens case for months at a time. This can cause them to dry out and makes them more likely to be infested with bacteria and dirt. It is important to take care of theses lenses just like any other lenses. It may be best to only get a small supply. When in doubt it is best to throw the lens away and start fresh.