Colored contact lenses are used for more than what typically comes to mind— artificial eye lenses and movie aesthetics. They can also be used therapeutically or prosthetically to alter different vision disfigurements. In this article, we will throw light on the various vision impairments and ways prosthetic lenses can help people with vision disfigurements to select and manage proper artificial eye lenses for various clinical uses.
Types of Prosthetic Contact Lenses
Transparent-Tinted Contact Lenses
Transparent-tinted contact lenses are fit to reconstruct a patient’s perception, especially in the case of sportspeople and people with color blindness. For example, yellow tints can enhance the incoming image of a baseball. They can reduce stray light affecting the cornea, iris, lens, and retina, efficiently restricting visual glare. The transparent tint overlays the natural iris, causing it to change color and allow a more natural look.
Computer-Generated Contact Lenses
Computer-generated prosthetic contact lenses or printed lenses have the iris colors and diameters pre-determined, which may or may not be suitable for every person. If you want to a specific iris color effect, different colors can be layered in a few designs. The best part? It is reproducible. Also, keep in mind the template sizes available are limited.
Hand-Painted Contact Lenses
Hand-painted contact lens options are customised lenses. They can be made based on individual preferences. You can get the lens diameters, base curves, iris diameters changed, add flecks and limbal rings detailing to the iris color and rectify iris alignment for strabusmus. But you will need to provide an accurate digital photo of your iris to the custom contact lens laboratory for manufacturing the most natural lens.
Uses of Prosthetic Contact Lenses to Treat Eye Conditions
Corneal Conditions
Corneal opacity occurs when the cornea becomes scarred. This stops light from passing through the cornea to the retina, resulting in a white or cloudy appearance. Patients with corneal opacification can benefit from prosthetic contact lenses. The size and location of the corneal scar and the color of the iris will dictate the type of lens needed. For patients who can still see, we recommend you choose a clear pupil. Consider a SiHy (silicone hydrogel) lens material if the cornea is jeopardized.
Heterochromia
When working with iris abnormality like heterochromia, where a person’s irises are different colors, choose tinted or opaque contact lenses. They can cosmetically alter the differing iris colors of two eyes to make them look similar. Enhancing tints blend with the underlying iris for a more natural look. Many actors with heterochromia use these contacts when required for the character they are playing.
Choose from the wide collection of daily and monthly disposable colored contact lenses from Lenskart
Aquacolor Caramel Brown Daily Disposable Color Contact Lens
Aquacolor Delicate Green Color Contact Lens
Aquacolor Icy Blue Color Contact Lens
Also Read: Colored Contacts To Match Your Skin Tone
Extreme Photosensitivity
For albino patients whose lack of pigmentation induces extreme photosensitivity, darker-colored contact lenses can act as filters. As compared to polarized sunglasses soft color contact lenses provide complete coverage, limit glare, and reduce surface reflection. However, sunglasses and hats should still be worn as a precautionary measure.
Bothnia Dystrophy
Bothnia dystrophy is an autosomal recessive disease of the retina, characterized by an early onset of night blindness followed by macular degeneration and eventual loss of vision later in life. Uniform, dark brown soft color contact lenses can be used on patients with Bothnia dystrophy. These lenses maximize visual capacity by decreasing glare and extreme light sensitivity to improve orientation and fluidity. The darkness of the tint is flexible depending on the light intensity of different seasons.
Our best brown colored contact lenses:
Aquacolor Naughty Brown Monthly Disposable Color Lenses
Freshlook Freshlook Colorblends Brown Color Lenses
Aquacolor Caramel Brown Monthly Disposable Color Contact Lens
Cone Dystrophies
Cone dystrophy is a generic term for rare eye disorders that affect the cone cells of the retina. Cone cells allow a person to see color and fine detail, and they work best in bright light. The cone dystrophies can cause a variety of indications such as decreased visual clarity when looking straight ahead, a reduced ability to see colors, and an increased sensitivity to light.
Tinted contact lenses decrease photosensitivity, enlarge the peripheral visual field and enhance the clarity of long-wavelength stimuli in bright light. Red-brown tints may be more fitting for patients with residual cone function, and magenta may be helpful in cases of blue cone monochromatism.
Also Read: Common Vision Problems In Women And How To Tackle Them
Be Aware Of Complications
Colored contact lenses are underused but adaptable options for a population of patients who stand to benefit from them. Therapeutic colored contact lenses can help those who have a working vision to see the world more comfortably. For those who require extra support, prosthetic colored contact lenses can enhance their physical appearance. Colored lenses help improve the quality of many lives.
But with positives come negatives too. The risk of infection is invariably higher for those who wear contact lenses. Though a prosthetic lens may be cosmetically appealing, a disposable, computer-generated, printed SiHy contact lens may be healthier.
When Should You Dispose a Prosthetic Colored Contact Lens?
If you thought prosthetic colored contact lenses can last you a lifetime, you are wrong. A few standard and hand-painted contact lenses tend to fade over time. When the coloring bonded within the matrix of the lens design reduces, it is time to bid goodbye to the contact lenses. At such times, it is important to have spare contact lenses handy. FYI, if you want to increase the life of your prosthetic contact lenses, then make use of the right cleaning and disinfecting solution to clean the lenses.
Tips For Contact Lens Care
Follow a good lens care routine for safe contact lens wear.
- Always wash, rinse, and dry your hands before touching your contact lenses.
- Clean contact lens cases after each use using fresh, sterile contact lens solution.
- Change the contact lens solution in the lens case after every use.
- Do not use the contact lens more than the prescribed time.
If you notice any issue with your contact lenses such as eye-stinging, burning, itching, eye pain, or discomfort, take your lenses out and consult your eye doctor immediately.
