It's easy to get bored with your look and if you're looking for a quick and easy way to do so, investing in a pair of color contacts may be your answer. For a person with vision problems, contacts can help boost your confidence. The addition of color contacts not only increase your self-esteem, but can provide either a subdued or vivid appearance change.



What options are available in Color Contacts?

Regular contacts have a variety of options. Color contacts also offer this wide variety and they include:

* Disposable

* Hard

* Permanent

* Soft non-disposable

* Different colors and designs

Disposable contacts can be a convenient option, especially if you accidentally lose one. You have a back-up handy and don't have to wait until you can make an optometrist appointment. A disadvantage is that disposable contacts can be expensive. Permanent contact lenses are less expensive, but do require more care. If color contacts are a new thing for you it may be a good idea to have a disposable pair handy. This way if you hate the way the color looks you can switch them out easily.

Hard Contacts provide the sharpest vision and are easy to put on and take out. At the same time, they require regular cleaning and being smaller in size, they tend to slip off the iris.

If you decide on soft contacts, they will be easier to adjust to than hard or gas permeable lenses. Also, they're bigger and easier to handle.

When deciding on a pair of color contacts, you have four main options to decide upon.

*Visibility Tints

Visibility tints do not change your actual eye color. These contacts are lightly tinted so as to help you see them if you happen to drop one. This also helps when putting your contacts in or taking them out of your eyes. You can more easily apply the contact to the correct area of your eye when you can see it!

*Enhancement Tints

A colored contact that maintains some of their translucencies are enhancement tinted contacts. Since they are darker than visibility tints they do change your actual eye color. But, as their name suggests, enhancement color contacts only enhance your natural color, they don't change your eye color to a different color. These are a great option for someone who has light colored eyes. They will get a dramatic effect without completely changing their eye color.

*Color Tints

The next darkest color contact option are the color tints. Color tints allow even someone with dark brown eyes to sport light hazel or blue eyes. These opaque color contacts come in a vast array of options. A few of these color options include violet, hazel, blue, green and brown. Since the pupil portion of the colored lenses is clear, you will have no trouble seeing.

*Light Filtering Tints

These are relatively new and act as specialty contact lenses. Since they were created specifically for sports use they appeal to athletes. For instance, with light filtering tints, the color of a tennis ball is enhanced, thus making it easier to hit and aim for the ball.

Where Does One Get These Color Contacts?

Even if you plan on using color contacts for cosmetic purposes, you must have a prescription. There are risks involved when applying contacts of any type and this is why a prescription is required. You must be fitted by a professional to help prevent eye problems, including blindness. Don't be tempted to borrow your friend's color contacts since a proper fitting is crucial.

A few necessary color contact accessories include a contact case, cleaning and conditioning solutions. There three items are a must for any contact wearer. Proper care is essential in order to ensure the longest life possible for your contacts. And since they are an expensive purchase to begin with, daily contact lens care will become a habit.

Proper care includes cleaning the contact before you put them in your eye and before you store them in their case for the night. Different brands offer different cleaning solution options. Your optometrist will be able to provide a few suggestions about which brand of color contacts will work best for you.

A definite no-no is sharing contact lenses. Not only is it likely that the fit will not be correct, but it increases the chance of eye infection. Each person carries different bacteria and you are putting that bacterium directly into your sensitive eye ball. You're just asking for trouble when you use another person's color contacts.

Color contacts offer a way to achieve a more dramatic look with relative ease. However, since there are a wide variety of options it's best to take your time and find a pair that suits you best.

Summary:

If you're interested in changing your look, color contacts will suit you well. However, if you are using them strictly for cosmetic purposes, be aware that you will need a physician's prescription. They can be expensive and take quite a bit of care, but can last for quite some time if taken care of properly.