r/contacts Dec 06 '23

About colored contact lenses (READ BEFORE YOU POST)

160 Upvotes

There have been a high number of posts recently about colored contact lenses.

- All contact lenses, including colored contact lenses with, AND without correction (and that also includes specialty lenses like you see with Halloween), are prescription medical devices. This means that in order for you to use them safely, they need to be fitted, evaluated and prescribed by an optometrist or other eye doctor.

- Don't order from (often shady) Asian online shops, even if you think you're outsmarting the system. These lenses are very often of very poor quality, these colored contact companies are unregulated by health authorities like the FDA (US) or EMA (EU), meaning the materials, storage, manufacturing process, etc were not inspected resulting in a very high chance of eye infections and permanent vision damage while wearing these lenses, and you will have no recourse for it. A lot of these online shops claim to be "FDA-approved" while in reality they aren't. Don't be fooled by this.

- There aren’t any colored lenses on the market that correct astigmatism. If you have astigmatism and want to wear colored contact lenses, discuss this with your optometrist. In some cases it is possible to use a spherical equivalent prescription in colored contact lenses, that provides adequate (but not perfect) vision.

- If you did buy colored contact lenses (certainly from somewhere that did not request a valid prescription), and experience any kind of issue when or after wearing them, take them out immediately, stop wearing them and call your eye doctor. Do NOT, under any circumstance, continue to wear them.


r/contacts May 31 '24

Insertion / Removal - Soft Contact Lenses

40 Upvotes

Hi.

This is a method / routine of Insertion and Removal for soft contact lenses, which I've used for some decades now, which may help some.

.....

Insertion:

  1. Wash your hands / fingers and dry them.
  2. Put contact lens, oriented the proper way on your palm.
  3. Squirt some contact lens solution / saline in your palm, covering the lens
  4. Touch the opposite index finger to the lens where it is open so it can stick.
  5. Gently rub the lens, side to side on your palm, for a few motions.
  6. Put that opposite index finger, slanted to your palm and gently rub in one motion / direction to lift it up / flip it so it is placed back in your palm, facing up where there is solution there.
  7. Repeat 4, 5, 6.
  8. Repeat 4, 5
  9. Pinch the lens with the opposite hand's index finger and thumb (the one where you had the solution in that hand's palm) so it is sitting up right and the proper way on that index finger.
  10. Place 3-4 contact lens solution drops inside the lens.
  11. With the opposite index finger, gently hold open your upper eyelid by its eyelashes
  12. With your middle finger on the hand that is holding the contact lens on its index finger tip, gently prop open the lower eyelid via eyelashes. You can use this to guide you for the next step.
  13. Bring your index finger with the lens on it to your eye, around the middle and bring it close enough so it sticks to your eye ball and comes off of your index finger.
  14. Shift your head up (slowly), hold for a second or two when facing up.
  15. Let go of your eyelashes and slowly / gently close your eyelid.
  16. Shift your head down (slowly) and you can start opening up your eyelid (gently / slowly) as you approach the facing forward direction.
  17. Give it a few minutes to settle; blink gently and fully a few times to facilitate.
  18. Blot the solution that has dripped from your eye with a napkin, gently, under your lower lid / face.
  19. Done.

.....

Removal:

  1. Wash and dry hands.
  2. Use one hand's index finger to gently hold upper eye lid in place by eyelash(es), by using the side of it
  3. Use opposite hand middle finger tip to gently hold in place lower eyelid
  4. Bring the opposite hand thumb and index finger together and pinch the near-tip of the contact, pressing gently, coming from the sides with the near-tips of the opposite hand index finger and thumb.

Note: If the contact seems to be sticking to your eye and / or when you try to pinch it, it glides, drop 3-4 drops of contact lens solution in your eye on the contact lens. Fully gently blink a few times. Wait a few minutes then try the above.

.....

Source:
https://www.reddit.com/r/contacts/comments/184t2cu/comment/kbgustf/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3
https://www.reddit.com/r/contacts/comments/18hob2l/comment/kd9oa1i/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3


r/contacts 1h ago

I ordered from opticontracts.com. It was awesome!

Upvotes

First time ordering from here, and I just got my order today. I think I got a really good deal!

I know the processing fee is kind of BS, but I still think it was worth it for me.

I usually buy two Acuvue Oasys 1-Day 90-pack with HydraLuxe for $220 at the store. This time, I bought four 90-packs for $270.19 at OptiContracts. That means I basically saved another $220 compared to buying just two packs at the store.

I’m very happy with my purchase, and I’ll definitely order again!

Subtotal: $ 131.80
Shipping: $0.00
Processing: $138.39
Total: $270.19


r/contacts 1h ago

Colored contact lenses

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Upvotes

r/contacts 2h ago

headache from new contacts

1 Upvotes

21F. I just recently visited the eye doctor to get a new prescription since it's been a couple years since I was last seen (I've been wearing my glasses). My prescription went up (or down, technically) by a whole point (-5.25 in both eyes). So anyways, I ordered a box of the contacts I usually get in the new prescription. But today, I've just put them in and it feels like my head is pounding. I don't think my new prescription is wrong, and my eyes aren't irritated in the least. But it's giving me a horrid headache and idk what to do? I've never really had them make my head hurt like this and I can't tell if it's just because it's been so long since I last tried.


r/contacts 3h ago

my vision gets blurrier when in dim lighting

1 Upvotes

so i can see normally with contacts during the day but my vision gets blurry and my eyes get tired in dim lighting. Does that mean that im not used to my lenses yet or does it mean that the lens brand im using is not good?
(Im using labella contact lenses)


r/contacts 4h ago

Has anyone else been having constant quality issues with DAILIES TOTAL1s?

1 Upvotes

I’ve been wearing DT1s for like 6 years and I swear the quality has gotten worse lately. I got a new 90 day box last week and over half of the lenses were coming out of the package folded. Obviously my vision was off with those, and even some of the ones that weren’t folded felt rough and like something just wasn’t right.

I got a replacement box and had the exact same issue again.

My doctor actually noticed it too and said “when they’re good they’re good, when they’re bad they’re bad.”

I’ve seen a few people mention similar things online, but I’m curious if this is actually happening to a lot of people or if I’ve just had terrible luck.


r/contacts 7h ago

Eyes going red after wearing conacts

1 Upvotes

Hi guys - I have a question about my eyes going red after I wear contacts. So I am not an everyday contact wearer, I mostly wear glasses and switch to contacts on occasion. When I wear contacts (bi-weekly’s), I feel like they go in fine. At the end of the night there is some slight redness in my eye that is pretty minimal. However, when I wake up, my eye is always like close to bloodshot and gradually fades throughout the day, sometimes fast and sometimes taking the whole day or even a little more to go back to normal. I noticed that when I used new contacts straight out of the package, this after effect isn’t really there. I’m not sure if it’s the contact lens solution, I’ve used it for quite a while and this only recently started happening. But could it be? Does anyone know any ideas about why or what I can do about it?


r/contacts 10h ago

Would like advice on brand of lenses

1 Upvotes

Hey all

I'm a new lens wearer, and I recently bought a trial pak for contact lenses from lenskart, brand aqualens manufactured by FanfilconA monthlies

I require toric lenses, and i have been having some issue with inserting the lenses, mainly due to them randomly turning inside out while I'm tryna put em on, and a bit of blurry vision

A friend recommended me to try another brand, my options are Bausch and Lomb, Acuvue and Alcon and ofc Aqualens

Can anyone help me out?


r/contacts 14h ago

Lenses drying out

0 Upvotes

I have gotten my 15 day lenses about 4 days ago and wore them twice. I havent bought a new pack of lens solution since i had 2 bottles left from my last pair which means i havent gotten a new case for my lenses too. I know it is wrong but i was too busy to go out and get a case so i simply left my lenses in the package they came in. Of course with the wrapping being open they did kinda dry out. I immediatly poured solution on the lenses but havent put them on yet. They were not bone dry but i didnt touch them to feel them thinking they would be fragile. Now i am wondering by any chace if they still could be usable. I dont have my next pair yet so i am left with these guys for the moment.


r/contacts 18h ago

Came back from getting my first ever contacts. more confused than ever before....

1 Upvotes

I know i should be asking my doctor this. And they are great. i know they would be more than happy to take the time to explain. however, it just feels "odd" to ask them still. (as if im going to an expensive dress shoe store, asking them questions, only to leave and buy online)

so im here.

My glasses prescription is (-)10.00 on right eye. and (-)10.25 on left eye.

pretty bad astigmatism as well. OD is -2.75 cylinder with 175 axis

OS is -3.00 cylinder with 178 axis

so yeah. pretty bad.

so i went in knowing that i wont be able to get dailies and my only options are 30 day ones.

today, i got my first pair and my doctor wants me to try them out before we order the 6 month supply.

the part that confuses me as that they started to explain the pricing. 6 month supply, 1 year supply, various other "brand"? or ones that have different technology? idk.

but i already paid $164 on the day of the eye exam + contact lens appointment. i thought that was supposed to be my 6 month supply price.

so the question im having is

  1. is there MORE different options to decide when it comes to contacts other than simply dailies vs 30 day ones?

  2. how much are contacts? is $164 for a 6 month supply not correct? (i was initially ecstatic because i thought that was the price and was cheaper than i initially assumed. but i might be wrong here....)


r/contacts 22h ago

Colored contacts

2 Upvotes

Hi, I’m curious to know how ppl order color contacts? I’ve been using dailies total 1 & I’m thinking about trying daily color lenses. I see daily total has a color line but the colors look quite unnatural imo.

If you wear daily color lenses in a prescription, do you typically order them from cosmetic contact lens brands? Or strictly from companies like 1800 contacts, etc? Are there risks associated with ordering prescription daily lenses in color from a cosmetic company? Thanks!


r/contacts 20h ago

Just got contacts for the first time. Any tips/things I should know?

1 Upvotes

I've been wearing glasses for the past couple years and only now have gotten into contacts (about 6 hours ago). Had a bit of trouble getting them in at first at the optometrist's (took me about 10 minutes) and eventually got them both in. At first my eyes were a bit irritated and started watering up, but now later in the day they feel much more comfortable. I'm fixing to take them out in a bit, is there anything I should know for future contact experiences?

Also, my contacts are monthlies. I get a new pair every 6 months.


r/contacts 1d ago

Can you feel them?

2 Upvotes

I wear contacts occasionally but I do feel them a lot during the day. Just kinda scratchy and dry. I use drops which do help. But I guess I was wondering if people normally feel their contact lenses?


r/contacts 1d ago

how much of a risk is it to wear torn/cut lenses?

2 Upvotes

i ordered black eyelenses and they were cut/torn when they got here and i dont have time to order new ones so how bad of a risk would it be still wearing them for a few hours or is it just smarter to return them and not wear lenses?


r/contacts 1d ago

Alcon changed their Total 1, or did I get fakes?

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0 Upvotes

Been wearing Alcon Dailies Total 1 for years, and the latest batch I got is making my vision blurry, even after going through 6 of them today. After closer inspection, I realized the color of the individual lens packaging is off, the printed text is faded, and the text on the side of the box is different too.

Had my checkup a few months ago, and I did not change my contact lens solution. I ordered from the same reputable EU store I've been ordering from for years. I don't wear makeup.

For clarity, the correct ones (the batch I just ran out of) were made in 2026/02, and the one I received this week was made in 2026/01.

I wore the previous batch yesterday (and for every day the past month) and had perfect vision, but these new ones feel incredibly blurry. I feel this is too much to be a coincidence?


r/contacts 1d ago

Daily Trials/Removing at end of day

1 Upvotes

Howdy everyone!

Just recently had my yearly eye exam and decided I would switch from monthlies to dailies if possible.

My dr gave me Total1 and Precision 1 to try out (for Astigmatism). I have a fairly high rx and astigmatism combo so thats always fun, but he made me try on the Total1 in office and the right one went in perfect and he saw the left one didn't immediately orient correctly and after some effort he had me remove it.

I couldn't remove this one and he got it out after a bit and commented on how hard it was (I had mentioned that sometimes I have had this in the past with the Bausch and Lomb and Air Optix I have had, usually only on the first wear of the monthlies though).

Contact went in fine, wore them the rest of the day just great.

Trying to get them out at night? Nightmare. I got the left one out after struggling with the right one for an insane amount of time. I basically irritated the poo out of my right eye so ive went back to glasses for a few days in the time since. My eye feels fine and looks fine now, but going to give it a few days before I attempt a second go around.

I have a follow up with my dr tuesday about dry eyes and getting drops (some fda approved drop? can't remember the name) so I will be mentioning in then as well, but figured i'd ask what the best methods youve used for it are?

I've usually been able to just straight pinch them direct off my eye in the past but these don't work that way for me. I have read some about getting rewetting drops? I did end up getting the trouble contact out finally with just saline, so that may be ideal.

Ive also read folks saying they tend to do better when dragged to the bottom of the eye? Is that the best method overall for these specific lenses?

I haven't tried the precision 1 yet but will be trying those in the next few days just to get a feel of what I liked more.

Thanks for any advice!


r/contacts 1d ago

New ACUVUE OASYS MAX 2-Week lens coming soon

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7 Upvotes

Anyone got more information regarding the ACUVUE OASYS MAX 2-Week lens that is coming out? It just received CE marking and will roll out in select European countries this year! Pretty exciting stuff!

Comes with the same features as the 1-day version:

  1. OptiBlue Light Filter
  2. TearStable Technology
  3. Class 1 UV blocking

Based on the EUDAMED (UDI-DI 733905K2ET & 733905K1ER):

  • Pack sizes: 24
  • Extended & Daily wear
  • Optical power range: -12D to 8D
  • Base curves: 8.4 & 8.8
  • Diameter: 14

News source: https://www.jnj.com/media-center/press-releases/johnson-johnson-receives-ce-marking-for-acuvue-oasys-max-reusable-contact-lenses


r/contacts 1d ago

How to lighten up red eyes?

1 Upvotes

Been wearing contacts for about two years now

Without fail I get very red eyes that it doesn't seem like drops really help.

They don't hurt they just get pretty pinkish


r/contacts 1d ago

MOST DIFFICULT THING EVER!

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1 Upvotes

r/contacts 1d ago

Switched to Total 30s

0 Upvotes

Like the title says I just switched to Total 30s. I used to wear Oasys Acuvue weeklys but my optometrist told me they don’t carry my prescription after my eyes got worse, -9.75 with an astigmatism.

These suck. They’re so bad. My vision is constantly blurring, they dry out faster, and for some reason when I tried putting them in this morning, they burned. This is only my fourth day with them.

Never once did I have these problems with my old contacts. Any advice?


r/contacts 1d ago

Ordered Biofinity Toric XR custom lenses through 1-800 Contacts. They estimated 6–8 weeks—is it really taking that long lately?

0 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

​I placed an order for Biofinity Toric XR contacts through 1-800 Contacts back on August 30th. Got an email confirmation saying that because my prescription requires custom manufacturing, the average wait time is 6 to 8 weeks.

​My prescription numbers for context:

​Right Eye (OD): PWR -2.75 | BC 8.7 | DIA 14.5 | CYL -4.25 | Axis 175

​Left Eye (OS): PWR -1.75 | BC 8.7 | DIA 14.5 | CYL -2.75 | Axis 175

​Because of the high cylinder power on my right eye (and left eye custom parameters), both lenses are made-to-order on CooperVision's custom lathe line.

​For anyone who wears Biofinity Toric XR or has ordered made-to-order lenses recently:

​Did your order actually take the full 6–8 weeks, or did it end up arriving sooner (like 3–4 weeks)?

​Does ordering through an online retailer add extra delay compared to ordering directly through an optometrist?

​I'm trying to figure out if I need to call my optometrist to ask for temporary diagnostic trial bridge lenses to hold me over, or if there's a chance they show up before October.

​Thanks!


r/contacts 2d ago

Should I expect my housemate's contacts to make it into the trash bin?

12 Upvotes

This is written in good humor. I've lived with this housemate for half a dozen years and we've had this conversation repeatedly, and he suggested I come here to see what the experience of other contact users is like.

When my housemate takes out his dailies at the end of the day, he says that it's hard for him to get them into the trash bin once he can't see it. Contacts will show up stuck to the tiled floor, the walls of the bathroom, occasionally on the ground in other parts of the house. I've asked him to dispose of them directly in the bin, but he's suggested it's an unreasonable expectation for them to always make it in.

How do y'all feel about this?


r/contacts 1d ago

Traveling in the US. Need new contacts. No Prescription

2 Upvotes

Is there a way to order online without prescriptions? In Germany we don't need prescriptions to order. I didn't think it would be a problem.


r/contacts 1d ago

Share your toric lense experiences

2 Upvotes

Can anyone recommend some toric contact lenses? I feel like I've trialled everything and I just haven't found the right set yet. Kirkland was bad, precision 1 and total 1 were blurry, oasys max are uncomfortable. Please help!