image via: http://missosology.info[/caption]Coloured contact lenses might have had their start in the consciousness of most of us in thrillers, as the protagonist popped blue lenses over their brown eyes, and dyed their hair in the poor light of a motel bathroom. However, coloured contact lenses have now stepped outside the confines of crime fiction, and become an affordable way to change your look - whether that's subtle or startling is entirely up to you!
Coloured contact lenses are now readily available both from high street opticians and online retailers such as www.visiondirect.co.uk, in both prescription and purely cosmetic variants. It may be that you're looking for a subtle change in eye colour for a special occasion, especially if there's a good chance you will be photographed close up, and provide long-lasting memories of happy family occasions. Subtle, natural eye colour changes are usually more successful if you choose a colour closer to your own, as the colour of your iris will inform the result - for example, blues and greys can become vivid greens or turquoise, and hazel deepens into a rich purple.
That is not the case, however, with the kind of effect lenses favoured by clubbers, or frequently used in film and television for special effects. You'll no doubt be familiar with the milky white eyes of a zombie - you'll have a far more attractive result with your fashion lenses, but the level of opacity is the same. Be aware that your vision won't necessarily be very clear, so don't drive when wearing these lenses. In terms of the effect you can achieve, the sky is the limit - patterns and colours to match your clothes, or animal effects for fancy dress, fashion coloured contact lenses can produce some startling effects.
Finally, a word about eye safety - not everyone can tolerate contact lenses, and not everyone can tolerate all types of contact lenses; for the sake of your eye health, please visit an optician for a full eye health check and test before you purchase any coloured contact lenses online, and make sure that purchases are made through a reputable, established retailer. If you don't require prescription lenses - or even if you do - limit your wear of effect lenses, and make sure that you don't have them in for more than a few hours at a time. You only get one pair of eyes - look after them.
