Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 2: Choosing the right lenses
• Part 2 of 2: Taking care of your contact lenses
• Tips
• Warnings

Colored contact lenses are decorative accessories that you wear on the cornea of ​​your eye. Normal contact lenses are medical devices that correct your vision. Color lenses are purely decorative. For best results, choose colored contact lenses that enhance your own eye color.

To step

Part 1 of 2: Choosing the right lenses

1. Learn about color lenses. Decorative colored lenses cover your iris with a different color. It can resemble your real color as much as possible so that it is enhanced, or it can be completely different. Color lenses are different for everyone.
   • Opaque lenses are designed to completely cover your natural eye color. If you have dark eyes, you may need opaque lenses to change your natural color.
   • Color enhancing lenses are designed to slightly change the tint of your own eyes. If you have light eyes, you can brighten or completely change your natural color. They may have no effect at all on dark eyes.
   • There are also lenses that have a darker circle on the outside. This gives a subtle and dramatic effect, especially on light eyes. Subtle because you do not immediately see what is different about this person, but it certainly stands out. They are also called circle lenses.
   • Lenses with a modified shade or lenses that are used specifically for a sport are also gaining in popularity. These lenses are both cosmetic and practical, because the choice of color can improve sports performance. Colored lenses can reduce glare, increase sensitivity to contrast and increase the perception of depth. For example, a tennis player with green lenses can see the tennis ball better.
2. Determine what your skin color is. Dark skin can be warm or cool. Cool means that there are pink, red or blue undertones in the skin. Warm skin has yellow or orange undertones. Some people have neutral skin, which is a mix of warm and cool.
   • Is your skin rather olive-colored? If so, you have a warm skin tone. Do you like white, black or silver? Then you probably have a cool skin tone. Then brown, amber or green lenses are best for you.
   • If your skin is a bit lighter, you can determine if you have a cool or warm skin tone by looking at your veins. If your veins look blue, you have cool undertones. If they are greenish, you probably have warm undertones.
3. Take your natural eye color into account. Most dark-skinned girls have dark eyes, but not all. If you have light eyes, green or blue is a subtle color for contact lenses. If you have dark eyes, you can get opaque colored lenses.
   • With dark eyes, hazelnut brown or honey brown lenses are the most natural. Bright colors such as blue, purple or green stand out more.
   • You can also choose to enhance your natural eye color with colored lenses.
4. Take your hair color into account. After your skin, your hair is probably the first thing anyone sees, near your eyes. If your hair is dark, consider dark lenses or dark colors like purple or dark blue.
   • If you have a dramatic hair color, such as platinum blonde or a combination of colors, you can also go for a dramatic eye color. Consider getting opaque lenses in emerald green or ice blue, for example.
   • If you don't dye your hair, dramatic colored lenses can look even more dramatic. Try different colors before making the final decision.
5. Think about the effect the lenses should give. Do you want to make a dramatic statement with your colored lenses? Or would you rather enhance your natural appearance? With colored lenses you can achieve both effects.
   • If you put brightly colored lenses in your dark eyes, your eyes will definitely stand out.
   • You can also buy multiple types of lenses to use on different occasions. You may want a pair for work and another pair for going out.
6. See how your eyes look in different types of light. Put on your lenses in low light, and see if the effect of the colored lenses changes. The effect will be very different in bright light. Go to different places and bring a small mirror so you know what your lenses look like in different light.
   • Think about where you will wear the lenses the most. Are you planning to wear them to the club? Or during the day?
   • If you have narrowed down your choice to 2 different colors, you can put one color in each eye and see your eyes in different light. That may make the choice easier.
   • Remember you can always buy more than 1 pair for different purposes.
7. Talk to the optician. Remember that contact lenses are actually medical devices. Even though your lenses have no power to correct your vision, they must match your eyes.
   • Lenses that don't fit properly or cheaply made lenses are more likely to cause damage to the eye or infections.
   • Avoid buying lenses on the internet, at a party store or at a flea market.

Part 2 of 2: Taking care of your contact lenses

1. Learn about different types of contact lenses. Lenses come in all kinds, whether you need them to correct your vision or change your eye color. Most contact lenses are soft lenses, which means they are flexible. Soft lenses allow oxygen to pass through. There are those that you should throw away after a day, after two weeks, or after a month. Lenses can also be hard, which means they are stiff and breakable.
   • Contact lenses can also be bifocal
   • It is best to take your lenses off every night before going to bed, even if you can wear certain lenses for extended periods of time.
   • Hard lenses can be the best option if you have an allergy.
   • Hard lenses used to have a reputation for being 'out of your sight', but the newer models have much better wearing comfort and last longer.
   • Soft lenses can slide back and forth under the eyelid or become folded while still in your eye.
2. Wear the lenses as directed. People who wear contact lenses are at risk of corneal infection. If you use your lenses in a different way than prescribed - for example, by keeping daily contact lenses in for a whole week, or by sleeping with them - you can temporarily or even permanently damage your cornea.
   • With soft lenses that you can wear for a longer period of time, the risk is high that proteins will accumulate on the lens. This can lead to an allergy to the lenses.
   • Infections are often the result of poor cleaning of the lenses or misuse.
3. Learn about the risk factors associated with contact lens wear. Although lenses are very popular and easy to use, there are dangers involved. Eye infections, corneal damage and allergic reactions that lead to itchy, red and watery eyes are the most common consequences of contact lens wear, even if you follow the guidelines carefully.
   • If you choose to wear contact lenses, you must take good care of the lenses and your eyes.
   • If you only wear lenses as an accessory, make sure to buy them from a reputable retailer.
   • It is best to buy your colored lenses from the optician, even if they have no power to correct your vision. Lenses need to be fitted because if they don't fit properly they can damage your eyes and even lead to blindness.
4. Consider your medical history. If you get eye infections easily, often have dry eyes, or have severe allergies, wearing contact lenses may not be good for you. If you work in an environment where many small dust particles float in the air, you should also avoid wearing lenses.
   • If you are someone who finds it difficult to give your lenses the daily care they need, you should also avoid contact lenses.
   • Wearing contact lenses means taking them off every night. If you have a schedule where your evenings are very varied, you may want to stick to glasses. If you only wear lenses for decorative reasons, always bring a case with you when you go out so that you can take the lenses off when your eyes get tired.
5. Keep your lenses clean. Wash your hands before touching your contact lenses. It is recommended that you clean your lenses every day and replace them every 3 months.
   • Never share your color lenses with anyone else.
   • Homemade eyeglass solution has been linked to serious eye infections. Buy a lens solution from a well-known brand.
6. Watch for changes in your eyes. Remove your lenses immediately and call your doctor if you notice that your eyes are starting to hurt. If your eyes hurt, itchy, become red, or watery, you may have an infection. If your eyes become hypersensitive to light or your vision is cloudy, call your doctor.
   • Your eyes might sting, like there is something in it. That could mean you have a scratch on your cornea.
   • Always remove your lenses from your eyes immediately if you notice these signs.

Tips

• Preferably buy your color lenses from the optician.

Warnings

• Never clean your lenses by putting them in your mouth first and then in your eye.
• Do not buy lenses on the internet. They must be approved by the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), and fit well in your eye.
• Remember, there are always risks associated with contact lenses, such as corneal damage, an allergic reaction, and even blindness.