Ever wonder why some contact lenses have a faint green or blue tint? That is called a visibility tint, and it is typically used to improve handling during lens insertion and removal. Read on to learn more about visibility tint in contacts.
Visibility Tint in Detail
Contact lenses are thin, clear plastic disks that you wear in your eye. Because they are naturally clear, they can be difficult to spot in your lens case, especially when they are floating in lens solution. Contacts can also be difficult to find if they are accidentally dropped.
For this reason, contact lens manufacturers add a visibility tint to many of their products. Unlike opaque tints, a good visibility tint does not change the wearer’s eye color or affect vision. The tint is just there so that the wearer can see the contacts when they are placed in lens solution. A good visibility tint also makes it easier for the wearer to find the lens if it is dropped. In short, visibility tint in contacts is for handling purposes only.
A visibility tint can be added to different types of contacts, including toric (contacts for astigmatism) and multifocal (contacts for presbyopia) lenses.
Popular Contact Lenses With Visibility Tint
Today, many popular contact lens brands on the market feature visibility tint for easier handling. These brands include:
1) ACUVUE® OASYS with HYDRACLEAR® PLUS Technology
- Manufacturer: Johnson & Johnson
- Wearing schedule: Daily wear or up to 7 days of extended wear
- Replacement schedule: 1-2 week replacement
- Material: Senofilcon A (62% polymer)
- Water content: 38%
- Special features: HYDRACLEAR PLUS Technology, Class 1 UV Protection
ACUVUE OASYS with HYDRACLEAR PLUS Technology contacts are 1-2 week lenses designed for contact lens wearers who experience eye dryness. Thanks to HYDRACLEAR PLUS Technology, these contacts stay wet and smooth all day for optimum comfort. These contacts also offer the highest levels of UV blocking available in a contact lens.
2) Biofinity®
- Manufacturer: CooperVision
- Wearing schedule: Daily wear or up to 7 days of extended wear
- Replacement schedule: Monthly replacement
- Material: Comfilcon A (52% polymer)
- Water content: 48%
- Special features: Aquaform® Technology, Aberration Neutralizing System™
Biofinity contacts provide 100 percent of the oxygen your eyes need to stay clear and healthy. These contacts are also specially designed to deliver remarkable visual performance, whether you’re nearsighted or farsighted. Plus, Biofinity contacts have smooth, rounded edges for superior comfort.
- Manufacturer: Alcon
- Wearing schedule: Daily wear
- Replacement schedule: Daily replacement
- Material: Delefilcon A (67% polymer)
- Water content: 33%
- Special features: Water Gradient Technology, SmarTears® Technology
DAILIES TOTAL1 are the first and only daily disposable contacts to feature Water Gradient Technology, so only a gentle cushion of moisture touches your eye. DAILIES TOTAL1 contacts are also remarkably comfortable because of Alcon’s exclusive SmarTears Technology. This technology releases a wetting agent to ensure a comfortable contact lens-wearing experience.
4) PureVision®
- Manufacturer: Bausch + Lomb
- Wearing schedule: Daily wear or up to 7 days of extended wear
- Replacement schedule: Monthly replacement
- Material: Balafilcon A (64% polymer)
- Water content: 36%
- Special features: AerGel material
PureVision contacts are specially designed to keep up with today’s digital environment. Made using Bausch + Lomb’s unique AerGel material, these contacts resist deposit buildup and stay moist all day. This makes PureVision contacts ideal for heavy users of digital devices. PureVision contacts also have a rounded edge design, which ensures a comfortable fit.
- Manufacturer: Bausch + Lomb
- Wearing schedule: Daily wear or up to 7 days of extended wear
- Replacement schedule: Monthly replacement
- Material: Samfilcon A (54% polymer)
- Water content: 46%
- Special features: MoistureSeal™ Technology
Bausch + Lomb ULTRA contacts keep eyes feeling fresh and healthy, thanks to MoistureSeal Technology. As such, Bausch + Lomb ULTRA contacts are a great option for heavy users of digital devices. These monthly disposable contacts also have a tapered edge design for maximum comfort.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tinted Contacts
- What if I want to change or enhance my eye color?
If you want to change or enhance your natural eye color, opt for contacts with opaque or enhancement tints. Enhancement tints are darker than a visibility tint, and they are designed to enhance the iris (the colored part of the eye). Opaque tints are even darker than enhancement tints, and they will change your eye color entirely, no matter how dark it may be.
- Are colored contacts safe?
Yes, colored contacts are perfectly safe to wear, as long as they are properly fitted and cared for.
- Do I need a prescription for colored contacts?
Yes, all contacts are considered medical devices, even those that are used for cosmetic purposes only. Therefore, you need an up-to-date prescription to buy colored contacts. Beware of illegal sellers carrying non-prescription colored contacts.
Want to switch to contacts with a visibility tint? Schedule a visit with your eye care professional to discuss lens options. Once you have a valid prescription, head on over to Lens.com to shop for your contacts.
