Can You Wear Colored Contacts Over Regular Contacts

No, you absolutely should not wear colored contacts over regular contacts. Doubling up on contact lenses can lead to serious eye health issues, including oxygen deprivation, infection, and corneal damage. For both safety and comfort, it's crucial to understand why this practice is strongly advised against by eye care professionals. For more on this, see our guide to 10 Colored Contact Looks for Every Personality.

Why You Should NEVER Wear Colored Contacts Over Regular Contacts

The idea of layering contact lenses, whether it's for prescription correction or cosmetic enhancement, might seem like a clever workaround, but it poses significant risks to your eye health. Contact lenses are medical devices designed for precise fit and function. Each lens is crafted to allow a specific amount of oxygen to reach your cornea, and to sit comfortably on the eye's surface without causing irritation.

When you attempt to wear colored contacts over regular contacts, you're essentially suffocating your eyes. Your cornea, the clear front part of your eye, needs a constant supply of oxygen to remain healthy and clear. Layering lenses drastically reduces this vital oxygen flow, which can lead to a cascade of problems. Beyond oxygen deprivation, the double layer creates a thicker barrier that can interfere with your vision, cause extreme discomfort, and significantly increase the risk of infection.

It's important to remember that if you need vision correction and also want to change your eye color, there are safe and convenient options available. You do not need to wear colored over regular contacts; instead, you can simply get prescription colored contact lenses that fulfill both needs.

The Risks of Doubling Up Contacts

Wearing two pairs of contact lenses simultaneously, including wearing colored over regular contacts, introduces a host of potential dangers to your eyes. These risks are not minor inconveniences; they can lead to severe and potentially long-lasting damage.

• Oxygen Deprivation (Hypoxia): This is arguably the most critical risk. Your cornea doesn't have blood vessels, so it gets oxygen directly from the air and tears. Each contact lens acts as a barrier, reducing oxygen flow. Doubling up severely restricts this flow, leading to corneal swelling, blurred vision, and a higher susceptibility to infection. Prolonged hypoxia can even cause new, abnormal blood vessels to grow into the cornea (neovascularization), which can permanently impair vision.
• Increased Risk of Infection: Lenses collect debris, bacteria, and allergens throughout the day. A double layer creates a warmer, moister environment between the lenses and your eye, which is an ideal breeding ground for harmful microorganisms. This significantly elevates your risk of developing serious eye infections like keratitis, which can be painful, difficult to treat, and in severe cases, lead to permanent vision loss or blindness.
• Extreme Discomfort and Irritation: Two lenses are simply not designed to fit comfortably on one eye. The combined thickness can cause a constant feeling of foreign body sensation, dryness, excessive tearing, redness, and general irritation. This discomfort can make blinking painful and lead to a strong urge to rub your eyes, further increasing the risk of damage or infection.
• Blurred or Distorted Vision: Even if both lenses have the correct prescription, layering them can interfere with light refraction, leading to blurry or distorted vision. If one or both lenses shift, as they are more likely to do when doubled, your vision will be compromised, making daily tasks like driving or reading dangerous.
• Corneal Abrasions and Damage: The friction between two lenses and the eye, especially during blinking, can cause tiny scratches or abrasions on the delicate surface of your cornea. These micro-injuries are not only painful but also create open pathways for bacteria to enter, further increasing the risk of infection.

To illustrate the potential issues, consider this summary of risks:

How Colored Contacts Work with Your Prescription

Fortunately, if you need vision correction and desire a change in eye color, you don't have to choose between the two. Modern colored contact lenses are available in both plano (non-prescription) and prescription options. This means you can achieve your desired eye color while correcting your vision, all with a single, comfortable, and safe lens.

Plano (Non-Prescription) Colored Contacts

These lenses are purely for cosmetic purposes and do not correct vision. They are suitable for individuals who have naturally perfect vision or those who wear glasses but want to try colored contacts for a special occasion without their regular correction. Even though they don't correct vision, plano colored contacts are still medical devices and require a valid prescription and professional fitting from an eye care professional. If you're weighing options, our roundup of 10 Tips for First-Time Colored Contact Wearers is a good next read.

Prescription Colored Contacts

If you have nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), or astigmatism, you can get colored contact lenses that incorporate your specific vision correction. This eliminates any need to consider wearing colored over regular contacts. Your eye doctor will measure your exact prescription and fit you with colored lenses that provide both clear vision and a stunning new eye color. MyEyeColors offers a wide range of prescription colored contacts to help you achieve your desired look safely and effectively. browse our colored contacts

Getting the Right Fit and Prescription

Regardless of whether you choose plano or prescription colored contacts, a proper fitting and prescription from a licensed eye care professional are non-negotiable. Contacts are not one-size-fits-all, and an improper fit can lead to severe eye health problems.

During a contact lens exam, your eye doctor will:

1. Assess Your Eye Health: They will check for any pre-existing conditions that might make contact lens wear unsafe.
2. Measure Your Eyes: This includes measuring the curvature of your cornea (base curve) and the diameter of your iris. These measurements are crucial for ensuring the lens fits properly – not too tight, not too loose.
3. Determine Your Prescription: For prescription colored contacts, they will accurately determine your vision correction needs.
4. Provide Trial Lenses: You'll typically try on trial lenses to ensure comfort, proper fit, and clear vision before purchasing a supply.
5. Educate You on Care: Your doctor will provide essential instructions on how to insert, remove, clean, and store your lenses properly.

Never purchase contact lenses from unauthorized sources or without a valid prescription. This includes both clear and colored contacts. Doing so puts your eye health at extreme risk.

Choosing the Best Colored Contacts for You

Once you have your prescription and a green light from your eye doctor, the fun begins! MyEyeColors offers a diverse collection of colored contact lenses designed to enhance or completely transform your natural eye color. When choosing, consider these factors:

Color Type and Effect

• Enhancement Tints: These are translucent lenses that subtly enhance your natural eye color. They work best for people with light-colored eyes who want to intensify their existing shade.
• Opaque Tints: These lenses have a solid, non-transparent color that can completely change your eye color, regardless of your natural shade. They come in a vast array of colors, from vibrant blues and greens to exotic grays and purples.
• Tri-Tone/Multi-Tone Lenses: These lenses feature multiple shades and patterns to create a more natural, dimensional look. They often have a limbal ring (a darker outer ring) to make the eyes appear larger and more defined.

Lens Duration

Colored contacts, like regular contacts, come in various wear schedules:

• Daily Disposables: The most hygienic option, as you wear them once and discard them. No cleaning required.
• Two-Week or Monthly Disposables: These require daily cleaning and proper storage but offer a longer wear period.

Always follow your eye care professional's recommendations for lens wear duration and replacement schedules.

Explore the stunning range of colored contacts at MyEyeColors to find the perfect shade that complements your style and personality. browse our colored contacts

Proper Contact Lens Care and Hygiene

Wearing any type of contact lens, whether clear or colored, demands strict adherence to hygiene and care guidelines. This is paramount for preventing infections and maintaining healthy eyes. You might also like our take on 12 Colored Contact Questions Answered for Beginners.

1. Wash Your Hands: Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water and dry them with a lint-free towel before handling your contact lenses.
2. Use Fresh Solution: Only use fresh, sterile contact lens solution to clean and store your lenses. Never use tap water, saliva, or expired solution.
3. Clean Your Lenses Properly: If you wear reusable lenses, rub and rinse them with solution as directed by your eye doctor before placing them in a clean lens case.
4. Replace Your Lens Case: Replace your contact lens case every 1-3 months to prevent bacterial buildup.
5. Follow Wear Schedule: Adhere strictly to the recommended wearing schedule for your lenses (daily, two-week, monthly). Never wear lenses longer than prescribed.
6. Remove Before Sleeping: Unless specifically prescribed extended-wear lenses by your doctor, always remove your contacts before sleeping, napping, or swimming.
7. Never Share Lenses: Contact lenses are medical devices prescribed for individual use. Sharing lenses can transmit serious eye infections and is extremely dangerous.
8. Regular Eye Exams: Continue to schedule regular eye exams with your eye care professional to ensure your eyes remain healthy and your prescription is up-to-date.

Key Takeaways

• Never wear colored contacts over regular contacts due to severe risks to eye health.
• Layering lenses causes oxygen deprivation, increases infection risk, and leads to discomfort and blurred vision.
• Prescription colored contacts are a safe and effective alternative for vision correction and cosmetic enhancement.
• Always obtain a proper fitting and prescription from a licensed eye care professional for all contact lenses, including plano colored contacts.
• Strict hygiene and adherence to care instructions are crucial for safe contact lens wear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I wear two pairs of contact lenses if they are both my prescription?

No, even if both pairs of contact lenses have your prescription, you should never wear them simultaneously. The risks of oxygen deprivation, infection, and discomfort remain the same and are highly dangerous to your eye health.

What should I do if I want to change my eye color but also need vision correction?

If you need vision correction and want to change your eye color, the safest and only recommended option is to get prescription colored contact lenses. These lenses are designed to correct your vision while also providing a cosmetic color change, all in one safe lens. Consult with your eye care professional to find the right prescription colored contacts for you.

Is it safe to wear non-prescription colored contacts without an eye exam?

Absolutely not. All contact lenses, including non-prescription (plano) colored contacts, are considered medical devices. They must be professionally fitted and prescribed by an eye care professional to ensure proper fit, comfort, and safety. Wearing contacts without an exam can lead to serious eye complications.

What are the immediate signs that I've worn contacts incorrectly or for too long?

If you've worn contacts incorrectly (e.g., doubled up) or for too long, you might experience immediate symptoms such as redness, irritation, a feeling of grittiness or foreign body sensation, excessive tearing, blurred vision, or light sensitivity. If you experience any of these symptoms, remove your lenses immediately and consult your eye care professional.

Where can I find safe and high-quality colored contact lenses?

You can find safe and high-quality colored contact lenses at reputable retailers like MyEyeColors, provided you have a valid prescription from your eye care professional. Always ensure the brand you choose is FDA-approved (or equivalent regulatory body in your region) and purchase only through authorized channels after a professional fitting.