Update (23Jun08): Added high resolution comparison photo at the end of this post.
Previous I used Acuvue Oasys lenses and I ended up with extremely red eyes. Even though I eventually stumbled on “Clear Care,” a solution that helped a lot (see my blog post about it), I have become frustrated at times with the Oasys lenses. They’re probably the most comfortable lenses I have ever used when they are cooperating. When they aren’t, they might as well be sticky sandpaper.
Needless to say, when it came time to order more contacts, I opted not to go with Oasys again. Instead, I went back to Acuvue 2 lenses, which I previously had for years without problems. The Acuvue 2 lenses are also cheaper than Oasys, so I started looking at the ones with color; they were more expensive than the ones without, but I thought it might be nice to try something new.
I quickly found out that colored lenses are marketed much more toward females. I also found out that all the sites selling them offer some unrealistic guess as to how they would affect eye color, which was clearly created on a computer. Even the official site is rather lacking, unless you find eyes the size of your mouse cursor helpful. I thought, “What better place than a blog to look at real results,” and I was mistaken. I looked through a few dozen posts and found that nearly all were regurgitating press releases, trying to get business for a particular store, or were real people simply considering the lenses. For all those interested, I’ve taken a photo while wearing one Oasys lens (not colored) and one Acuvue 2 Colours lens.
Since I have rather blue eyes, I decided to go with one of the “enhancing” colors. The enhancing colors are mostly transparent, so they modify the real color of your eyes; the opaque lenses cover the colored portion of your eye (the iris) completely. The enhancing lenses are only good for people who have relatively lightly colored eyes; since mine are a fairly dark blue, I was unsure of how much the enhancing lenses would do, but I didn’t want the significant change of the opaque lenses. I opted for green enhancing lenses, since blue and aqua (the only other enhancement choices) would probably not be really noticeable.
I am pleased with the results. It’s worth noting that the photo I took used automatic white balance plus a flash bounced off the ceiling to try to create the most accurate colors. The only editing I did was cropping, resizing, and bringing the two eyes together (the two eyes are from the same photo so that lighting conditions were as identical as possible). The color of both eyes is actually a little bit more intense than the photos show, but I wanted to avoid adjusting hue or saturation in order to keep the photo as fair as possible.
The amount that the colored lenses actually affect vision is infinitesimal. In a very bright room wearing one colored lens and one transparent lens, I can switch back and forth between eyes and only see the slightest hint of difference. It’s definitely not something worth being concerned about.
hi, i wonder if you think aqua or blue is better for blue/grey ayes? i have quite medium dark eyes…
please help me!!!
thank maria
If you have very dark eyes, you might not notice a whole lot of color change. Blue would be a little more “intense” (very relative) whereas aqua would probably end up just a bit softer. It’s always tough to say, since everyone’s eyes are different, but good luck!
i have very dark brown eyes and i hated them so much, a friend reccomended i get some coloured contact lenses from http://www.GlamGlamz.com so i did and i must admit i think there fantastic, i got blue ones and they have really changed my eye colour not only that but they have changed the way my face looks aswell, GlamGlamz did tell me that on some people you cant see the difference but you really can on me.
Thank you for this article. I’ve been considering contact lenses for some time and still haven’t come to a decision.
I suppose my eye color would be categorised as “hazel green”, since they’re medium green, with amber circling the pupil and charcoal at the iris’ outer edge. I’ve always wanted intense, piercing, emerald green eyes, but never found anything that would do it for me.
I wonder, do you think the green lenses you chose would work for someone like me?
It’s really tough to say for sure, because the lenses can look so different on everyone. With the way you describe your eyes, I’d say the lenses will definitely make them more intense/piercing, but I don’t know what extent you’d want. You may consider making an appointment with a local eye doctor who keeps those lenses in stock; they’ll often let you try on a few pairs to see what you like.
My eyes are quite light, they’re blue. I am so ?excited? about colored contacts it’s always hard for me to choose. At first I was thinking about getting the Aquamarine colored contacts by Acuvue, but now I’m contemplating on going for one of the blues in the Opaques, rather than the Enhancers. I’m really just looking for another opinion, & was wondering what you think (:
Here is a picture of my eye color: http://i44.tinypic.com/2jdgx7b.jpg
Hi Chelsea, I think the enhancers would be better for you. Your eyes are light, so the blending of colors will look strong but will also have a lot more detail than the opaque lenses. In general, I’d recommend the opaque lenses only for people who want a very drastic change or who have very dark eyes. With the enhancers, all the natural patterns in your eyes still come through, so they look better in my opinion. Good luck with whichever ones you choose!
Hey,
My eyes are dark brown, and i wanted colored contacts, but i think the opaque ones look extremely fake. I just want something fairly noticeable, like hint perhaps?
Do you think i should go for the enhancers in grey, if there is an enhancer in that color?
ramz, if you get the grey ones they actually make brown eyes look like a natural blue! i have brown eyes and wear grey lenses and no one has ever been able to tell that my eyes werent naturally that color. i highly recommend them!
Hey kylie, do you think you can share a picture of the way the contacts make your eyes look?
Hi there,
great blog…i also wanted to ask a question ,not sure if oyu can help me out or not.When I go to order the contacts they need a BC # which i have 8.3 or 8.7 to choose from…As i’m only using these for aesthetic reasons i don’t have a perscription and have no idea waht size to choose.Does anyone have any idea what the normal size is as i can’t order them without it…Any suggestions would be awesome…thanks…
Hi Sarah, it’s probably not the answer you want to hear, but I recommend having an eye doctor tell you your BC (Base Curve). You want to make sure you get the right curve both for comfort and for health reasons (the wrong curve will be more irritating and usually not transfer oxygen as well). That being said, mine is 8.3, but I have no idea what’s typical.
This might be a weird query, but I am a vegetarian, so I’m looking for contact lenses which do not have some animal “element”. I understand that many lenses have either ingredients that have been tried out with rabbits, or are made from animal products. Are there any lenses that are entirely artificial?
Ralph Oteon, you sir are a genius … (Face palm)
contact lensen are 50%water and 50%saline or 50%water and 50%silicone … made from animal? jesus are you high?
Sara
You are not the doctor. THIS IS A DOCTOR DECISION.
Your doctor will PRESCRIBE the proper fit. Without the proper fit you risk eye infections. GO TO YOUR DOCTOR!!!!! THERE IS NOT ‘ONE SIZE FITS ALL’
hi i have medium light green eyes with a yellow burst around the pupil. I really want to have turquoise eyes that stand out do you reccomend the ocean blue acuvues or the aquamarine?
I have the same problem with OASYS. They’re great for the first few days, then start to degrade or something.
I don’t have the problem with acuvue colours, though they’re dryer than the OASIS. I think i’ll just go with the colours and use lubricating drops.