Coloured or Tinted

Whether you want to make an impact at a Hallowe'en party, stand out from a crowd, or just go for a different appearance, coloured contact lenses are the perfect choice for almost anyone - and they fit so comfortably that people might not even realise you're wearing any lenses at all! There is a huge selection available - from colour changers that alter or replace the natural colour of your iris with something different yet completely natural, to novelty lenses that appear to change your pupil shape to look like an alien or a wolf, or perhaps block out your iris altogether giving an albino effect.

Coloured contacts are available for a wide range of prescriptions, as well as for those who don't normally wear lenses. Even if you suffer from astigmatism, or if you are short-sighted, you can still order coloured lenses for your prescription, and if you're lucky enough to have perfect eyesight then make sure you order contacts without any visual correction. However you will still need to clean and store these lenses just as carefully as with normal contact lenses, and strictly adhere to the replacement schedule so that you don't end up irritating or even infecting your eyes from dirty lenses. Also, contact lenses should never be shared, so you must resist the urges from your friends to try them out.

Coloured contact lenses come in two types - enhancement tints and opaque colour tints. Enhancement tints use a translucent colour to alter the colour of your iris - the end result is different from person to person, as the eventual colour of your eye will be its original colour plus the colour of the lens, meaning that your eyes remain unique. Opaque lenses completely block out the colour of your iris and replace it with another colour, making your eyes appear the same colour as the lens. With all lenses, however, the pupil area remains completely clear so you don't see everything in a coloured hue!

Choosing which colour or effect to wear in your eye is ultimately a very personal choice, and what works with one person may not look as good for you. Once you've seen your optician (even if you have perfect sight - contacts do take some getting used to so you should always consult a specialist beforehand) we recommend you choose carefully and order a small box to begin with in case you're unhappy. Many coloured contact lenses come in a box with other similar colours and effects, however, so you will always have a selection to try.

Most importantly, make sure you check that you have the correct prescription before buying, especially if you do not need corrective lenses. Likewise, ensure you clean your lenses with the correct solution every time they are removed, store them properly, and do not keep wearing them after they are due to be replaced.