Coloured Contact Lenses

Zascar

My other half wants a pair - just for fashion not prescription. Can anyone recommend where I can buy these in Dublin - or are there good places online?

Faith

Putting a piece of plastic into your eye without supervision from a specialist is just asking for trouble, unless she already wears contacts?

Lady is a tramp

Saw them in Wildcat Ink the other day, I'm guessing they probably stock them in most tattoo/piercing studios.

Faith

Just to reiterate, never buy contact lenses from a place that doesn't require a prescription.

From the American Academy of Ophthalmology:

Never buy colored contact lenses from a retailer that does not ask for a prescription. There is no such thing as a "one size fits all" contact lens. Lenses that are not properly fitted may scratch the eye or cause blood vessels to grow into the cornea. Even if you have perfect vision, you need to get an eye exam and a prescription from an eye-care professional in order to wear any kind of contact lens.

[From fda.gov:]

They are not “one size fits all.” An eye doctor (ophthalmologist or optometrist) must measure each eye to properly fit the lenses and evaluate how your eye responds to contact lens wear. A poor fit can cause serious eye damage, including:

scratches on the cornea (the clear dome of tissue over the iris—the part of the eye that gives you your eye color)
corneal infection (an ulcer or sore on the cornea)
conjunctivitis (pink eye)
decreased vision
blindness

Places that sell decorative lenses without a prescription may give you few or no instructions on how to clean and care for your lenses. Failure to use the proper solution to keep contact lenses clean and moist can lead to infections, says Bernard P. Lepri, O.D., M.S., M.Ed., an FDA optometrist in the agency’s Contact Lens and Retinal Devices Branch. “Bacterial infections can be extremely rapid, result in corneal ulcers, and cause blindness—sometimes within as little as 24 hours if not diagnosed and treated promptly.”

However, there are some prescription coloured contact lenses available, such as Freshlook.

Lady is a tramp

Faith wrote: »

Just to reiterate, never buy contact lenses from a place that doesn't require a prescription.

From the American Academy of Ophthalmology:

Meh I've been buying my lenses online for years with no issues whatsoever. I do go for the odd check-up every couple of years, and been honest about buying them online, the opticians have never advised against it.

Stheno

Lady is a tramp wrote: »

Meh I've been buying my lenses online for years with no issues whatsoever. I do go for the odd check-up every couple of years, and been honest about buying them online, the opticians have never advised against it.

My optician insists on a yearly check up for lenses

intheclouds

Stheno wrote: »

My optician insists on a yearly check up for lenses

Maybe it depends on how often you wear them? I tried out white eyes ones for a costume party, optician didn't seem to think it was an issue.

I found them uncomfortable though.

slits

Asha top floor of Stephens green sc sells some €20-25 a pair depending on what kind comes with lense case and fluid.

Faith

Lady is a tramp wrote: »

Meh I've been buying my lenses online for years with no issues whatsoever. I do go for the odd check-up every couple of years, and been honest about buying them online, the opticians have never advised against it.

There's a big difference between actual medical-grade contact lenses that are subject to all sorts of regulations, and novelty lenses that could be made of any materials, and have all sorts of bacteria or contaminants in them.