Colored Contacts VS Prosthetic Contact Lenses

To most people, there does not seem to be much difference between a cosmetic colored contact and a prosthetic contact lens. Colored contacts can be an opaque or an enhanced tint depending on the desired effect. A pair of colored contact lenses is typically purchased to enhance, or using opaque lenses, change the natural color of one's own Iris. One example of using opaque lenses would be a person with dark brown eyes wanting to change the color of their eyes to blue or green. Someone wanting to lighten or darken their natural eye color would opt for an enhancer or tinted lens. Other types of special effect Halloween contacts would also fall into this type of lens.

A prosthetic lens on the other hand, is typically purchased to hide or correct a disfigurement caused by birth defect, eye disease, or eye injury. Prosthetic contact lenses can hide these defects making the eyes look more natural and leaving the affected individual with a higher level of self-confidence. Prosthetic contact lenses are not the same as a prosthetic eye. When just the lens needs replacement, it means that the eye still is intact. The prosthetic contacts fits right over the eye, just as any type of contact lens would. A prosthetic contact requires the same type of maintenance and care routine as other types of contact lenses.

As with all types of colored contacts, your eye care professional is best qualified in determining which type of colored contact lenses or prosthetic lenses you should purchase.