The Health Nut Blog

Treated Contact Lenses

Contact lenses are not always a uniform material. Many incorporate dyes, UV protection and other compounds that increase the value and usefulness of the lens to the wearer.

Simple tinting is an option for those who want to alter their natural eye color. Blue, brown, green and even mirrored lenses (sometimes lenses that have actual designs!) are all possible. Whether for holidays like Halloween or just to expand cosmetic options, tints provide the option of changing the color of the iris.

They fall into several categories. Visibility tints are the most subtle, intended only to make the contacts easy to see for easier handling. Enhancement tints are a richer dye that does change the hue of your natural eye color. They won't change your color from, say, blue to brown but can give blue or green eyes a more vibrant look. Opaque lenses can completely alter the color, say from blue to brown, or even give a mirror effect that is popular at parties.

The dyes are safe and don't affect wear characteristics like flexibility or permeability, nor the lens usable lifetime. As such, they're as comfortable as any other type and equally safe. Most dyes will eventually fade somewhat, but the effect is subtle enough that most lenses will get replaced long before it becomes an issue.

Depending on the type, though, they can reduce visual acuity somewhat. Opaque lenses reduce the amount of light coming through. Wearing some in low light, such as at a Halloween party requires extra care. Driving isn't recommended. Some types are made with a small hole in the center over the pupil to let in normal amounts of light.

Other forms of coating or infusion can be done to enhance the contact lens. UV filtering is one of the most common. Reduction of the amount of UV that enters the eye is already mostly performed by the upper atmosphere. But some does get through, enough to provide the sunscreen manufacturers with a healthy income. That remaining UV is enough not only to harm skin cells but your eyes as well. Reducing UV further helps ease eye strain and protect the eye that much more.

Other forms of coating or infusion help alter the amount of portions of the visible light spectrum. That can enhance sports activity, for example, by shifting the colors that are part of white light. The physical result is less of certain wavelengths. The vision result is higher acuity and color sharpness for certain people under certain circumstances. Removing 90% of the blue light, for example, helps change the way people perceive their immediate environment.

Yellow tennis balls appear more vivid against the background of the court and ground. Colored golf balls stand out more against the fairway and green, and even the blue sky. That effect is often desired by tennis players, golfers and even beach volleyball players. Other designs help reduce glare by adding polarization. Athletes report an enhanced ability to see the ball against the background, improving reaction times and accuracy.

Investigate the options available in tinted or treated contact lenses and see if these added features are right for you.

# posted by NeilG @ 2:06 AM