If you've always wanted to change your eye color, color contact lenses can provide baby blues, gorgeous greens, heavenly hazels -- even various patterns and designs. Contact lens sales are regulated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and the FTC (Federal Trade Commission.) In the U.S. contact lens marketplace, 82 percent wear soft lenses, 16 percent wear rigid gas-permeable and only 2 percent wear hard.

You'll want to take simple precautions to make any lens purchase safe and effective. With a contact lens prescription in hand, it's possible to buy your contact lenses from stores, the Internet, over the phone, or by mail.

If you live an active lifestyle, NIGHT & DAY breathable lenses will allow you 30 hours of continuous wear. Disposable lenses don't come with instructions for cleaning and disinfecting, while those labeled specifically for planned replacement do. Contact lenses are often more complex than they appear to be.

Although easier to handle and less likely to tear, rigid gas permeable lenses are not as comfortable initially as soft contacts and it may take a few weeks to get used to wearing the RGPs, compared to just a few days for soft contacts. You can mark rigid lenses to show which lens is for which eye; they don't rip or tear, so they're easy to handle. There are several types of lenses including: soft contact lenses, rigid gas permeable lenses, extended wear lenses and disposables.

Bifocal correction is possible with both soft and rigid lenses. In some models, each lens corrects for near and distance vision and in others, one lens is for near vision, and the other is for distance. Soft lenses are easier to adjust and are much more comfortable than rigid lenses, because they conform to the eye and absorb and hold water.

It's important for your eyes to have a rest, without lenses, for at least one night following each scheduled removal. Some doctors prescribe disposables as planned-replacement lenses, which are removed, disinfected, and reused before being discarded.

When you receive your order, if you think you've received an incorrect contact lens, check with your doctor or eye care professional right away; don't accept any substitution unless your eye care professional approves it. Compare prices - get quotes from two or three online and offline suppliers. Always ask what rebates are available.

Wherever you buy, shop for quality and value and don't forget you want to do what's best for your eye health. If you have an insurance plan, the insurance plan's seller's prices may or may not be better than what you can find elsewhere; this should be just one option when you're shopping for lenses. Rebates may be available from the seller, from the manufacturer, for first-time contact lens wearers and for individuals who buy lenses and get an eye exam.

There are many good contact lens retailers now on the Internet making their lenses available at a good discount for prescription and non-prescription lenses. You can buy contact lenses from an eye doctor, on the Internet, from an optical store or a warehouse club. Check out how long the online supplier has been in business before you buy.

Basic rule: never swap your contact lenses with anyone else. Microorganisms may be present in distilled water, so always use commercial sterile saline solutions, if you plan to use enzyme tablets in water for disinfections. Getting a proper fit is essential; contact lenses that are poorly fitted can lead to eyesores, eye inflammation, and eye abrasions.

Be aware that extended-wear (overnight) contact lenses - rigid or soft - increase the risk of corneal ulcers, which are infection-caused eruptions on the cornea that can lead to blindness; symptoms include vision changes, eye redness, eye discomfort or pain, and excessive tearing. Under the binding down of a rigid contact lens during sleep, the flow of tears and oxygen to the cornea is reduced; lack of oxygen leaves the eye vulnerable to infection. If your eyes become red or irritated, remove the lenses immediately and consult with your doctor.

Laser surgery and its risks can be frightening and too expensive for some people; contacts can provide a safe, comfortable and time-tested alternative. Make sure you've done your homework before you buy any pair of contact lenses. Remember to use only contact lenses that are FDA-approved and only if prescribed by a licensed eyecare professional.