Color Toric Contacts - Good News for People with Astigmatism

Color Toric Contacts - Good News for People with Astigmatism

If you have an astigmatism it doesn't mean that you are stuck with wearing glasses. These days there are special contact lenses, called "toric", developed specially for people with astigmatism. And it gets even more exiting - you can also wear color toric contacts. Find out what color toric contact lenses are available and which would be best for you.

The difference between a regular contact lens and a toric lens is that torics have two powers, (one for astigmatism, the other for short-sightedness or long-sightedness). Also the lens is usually heavier at the bottom, to prevent it rotating in your eye.

The material used for toric color contacts is the same as for ordinary contacts - they can be soft or RGP (rigid gas permeable). RGP lenses usually don't come in color varieties, though, because the lens is smaller than your iris (the colored part of your eye). So in talking about colored toric contact lenses, we will discuss only soft toric lenses.

What color toric contacts are available?

For now the only widely available brand name colored toric contacts are Freshlook Colorblends by Ciba Vision. Freshlook Colorblends are opaque color contacts, which means that they are equally suitable for people with light eyes or dark eyes. Freshlook Colorblends toric offers you green, blue, gray and honey colors. See pictures of people wearing color toric contacts by Freshlook.

Some custom-made toric color contacts can also be made, at your request. Naturally, these would cost you a bit more. Most custom-made color contacts are traditional (annual replacement) lenses, while Freshlook Colorblends are monthly disposable lenses.

How expensive are toric colored lenses?

Unfortunately, all toric contact lenses cost about twice as much as lenses for long or shortsightedness. The reason is that the lens is irregularly shaped and is more difficult to manufacture.

Comparable to plain (no color) toric contacts colored torics are 25-30% more expensive. However, if you order your toric colored contacts online you can save significantly.

Is there any potential danger in wearing color toric contacts?

Toric color lenses don't present any more danger than any other contact lenses. You just shouldn't neglect to care for them properly. Always remember to wash your hands before handling your lenses. Every time you put your lenses out for the night use fresh solution. Don't wear your lenses for too long - 8-10 hours is the limit, and never sleep in them.

Since you need toric contact lenses anyway, try color toric contacts. You would be amazed how different your face will look with a different eye color.

About the Author

Tanya Turner is a contact lens expert and a founder of Your Contact Lenses Consumer Guide, which provides you with information about eyes health, all types of contact lenses and where to find discount contact lenses
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You may ask why a person with naturally blue or green eyes would want to wear color contact lenses? One reason is to make the natural color look brighter and more defined. Another reason is to change the hue just a bit - ad a touch of emerald to naturally blue eyes, for instance, and you will get a beautiful aquamarine.

All color contacts can be separated into two types - enhancement color lenses and opaque color lenses. Both will work for people with light eyes, although enhancers would be the smarter choice.

Enhancement color lenses are about 70-80% transparent. They are designed not to change your natural eye color, but to brighten it, making your eyes appear more interesting. Since the lens is partially transparent and the natural pattern of your iris is visible through it, enhancers look very natural. See chart of color contact lenses

If you have gray eyes and you want to give them a tint of blue or green, enhancement lenses would do the trick. However, don't expect dramatic changes.

Since enhancement color lenses are partially transparent, they would look very different on different people. Don't pay to much attention to how the model who wears the sample looks, because it is likely that on you the lenses will have a different effect.

Most contact lens manufacturers present enhancement color contact lenses collections. Here are several that get the most favorable consumer reviews.

Freshlook by Ciba Vision offers two collections for light eyes - Freshlook Radiance and Freshlook Dimensions. Freshlook Radiance are enhancement color lenses that make your eyes appear shining. They can also change your natural color substantially. The colors offered are Moonlight, Autumn and Eden. See pictures of people wearing Freshlook color contacts.

Freshlook Dimensions are unique lenses that make your eyes appear larger and create depth, as well as make your natural color more vivid. Dimensions are lighter than Radiance and come in Aqua, Sea Green and Pacific Blue. Both Freshlook Radiance and Freshlook Dimensions are monthly disposable lenses.

Acuvue 2 Colors enhancers is another option. They come in Ocean Blue, Aquamarine and Emerald Green. Acuvue 2 Colors are 2-week disposable contacts; they are very thin and most wearers say that it doesn't feel like you're wearing anything in your eyes.

The lighter your eyes, the bigger the impact that enhancement color lenses will have on them. If your eyes are medium gray, blue or hazel the effect will be hardly noticeable. For dramatic change, you will need opaque color contacts.

About the Author

Tanya Turner is a contact lens expert and a founder of www.1-contact-lenses-consumer-guide.com/, where you can find unbiased information about eye health and all types of contact lenses with reviews and pictures