Cosplay contacts are an incredible way to elevate your costume and add authenticity to your character. Whether you’re portraying an anime hero, a sci-fi villain, or a mythical creature, colored contact lenses can bring your look to life with vibrant colors and unique patterns. However, it’s important to remember that cosplay contacts are medical devices, and they must be handled with care to avoid damaging your eyes or causing discomfort.
In this article, we’ll explore the dos and don’ts of wearing cosplay contacts, ensuring that you can safely enjoy this transformative accessory while protecting your eye health.
The Dos of Wearing Cosplay Contacts
1. DO Get a Prescription
Even if you don’t need corrective lenses, it’s essential to get a prescription from an eye doctor before buying and wearing cosplay contacts. Contacts must fit properly to avoid irritation or potential damage to your eyes.
Why You Need a Prescription:
- Contacts come in various sizes and curvatures that need to match your eye shape for comfort and safety.
- An eye doctor can assess your eyes to ensure there are no underlying conditions that could make wearing lenses unsafe.
- A prescription ensures that the lenses are FDA-approved or meet safety standards, reducing the risk of complications.
2. DO Buy From Reputable Sellers
When purchasing cosplay contacts, always buy from a trusted and reputable seller. Avoid buying lenses from beauty stores, costume shops, or online stores that don’t require a prescription.
Why This Matters:
- Reputable sellers provide the Best Cosplay Contacts that meet safety standards and are made from high-quality materials.
- Avoiding unregulated or cheap lenses reduces the risk of infections, eye damage, or allergic reactions.
- Trusted retailers often offer a wider variety of designs, including prescription options.
Look for sellers that are FDA-approved (in the U.S.) or meet safety standards in your region, and always check customer reviews before purchasing.
3. DO Follow Proper Hygiene
Good hygiene is key to wearing contacts safely. Always handle your lenses with clean hands and use proper contact lens solution to keep them clean.
Hygiene Tips:
- Wash Your Hands: Always wash your hands with soap and water before touching your lenses. Dry them with a lint-free towel to avoid transferring dirt or debris.
- Use Contact Lens Solution: Clean your lenses with the recommended solution (never use water or saliva) and store them in a clean case filled with fresh solution.
- Clean the Case Regularly: Contact lens cases can harbor bacteria, so clean your case regularly and replace it every three months.
Proper hygiene helps prevent eye infections, irritation, and other potential complications.
4. DO Limit Wear Time
While cosplay contacts can dramatically enhance your look, it’s important not to wear them for too long. Contacts can reduce the amount of oxygen reaching your eyes, which can cause dryness and discomfort.
Recommended Wear Time:
- 4 to 8 Hours: Limit the amount of time you wear cosplay contacts to 4-8 hours. This ensures your eyes have time to breathe and reduces the risk of irritation.
- Take Breaks: If you’re attending a long event, take breaks from wearing your contacts to give your eyes some rest.
If your eyes start feeling dry or irritated, remove the lenses immediately.
The Don’ts of Wearing Cosplay Contacts
1. DON’T Share Your Contacts
Sharing contact lenses—even with friends or family—is a major no-no. Each person’s eyes are different, and sharing contacts can lead to the spread of bacteria, infections, or even serious eye damage.
Why You Shouldn’t Share Contacts:
- Contact lenses are fitted to your eyes specifically, and wearing someone else’s lenses can cause discomfort or injury.
- Sharing lenses can introduce harmful bacteria to your eyes, increasing the risk of infections like conjunctivitis (pink eye) or corneal ulcers.
Keep your cosplay contacts to yourself and avoid sharing, no matter how tempting it may be.
2. DON’T Buy Lenses Without a Prescription
Even if the lenses you’re buying don’t correct vision, they still need to be fitted by a professional. Avoid buying contacts from vendors that don’t require a prescription or sell “one-size-fits-all” lenses.
Why This is Dangerous:
- Lenses that are not properly fitted to your eyes can cause irritation, blurry vision, or even permanent damage.
- Low-quality lenses from unregulated sources may not meet safety standards and could harbor bacteria or harmful chemicals.
Always consult an eye doctor for a prescription and buy from reputable sellers who adhere to safety regulations.
3. DON’T Sleep in Your Contacts
No matter how tired you are after a long day of cosplaying, never sleep in your cosplay contacts. Wearing contacts overnight reduces oxygen to the eyes and increases the risk of infection.
Risks of Sleeping in Contacts:
- Dryness and Irritation: Sleeping in contacts can cause your eyes to become extremely dry and irritated.
- Increased Infection Risk: Without proper cleaning, sleeping in contacts can lead to bacterial buildup, increasing your chances of developing an infection.
- Corneal Damage: Wearing contacts for too long can damage your cornea, leading to potential vision problems.
Make sure to remove your contacts before going to bed and store them in a clean case with fresh solution.
4. DON’T Use Water to Clean Your Lenses
Water may seem harmless, but it’s a poor substitute for proper contact lens solution. Tap water, bottled water, or any other liquids should never be used to clean or store your cosplay contacts.
Why You Shouldn’t Use Water:
- Bacteria: Water can contain harmful bacteria that can lead to infections, such as Acanthamoeba keratitis, a serious corneal infection.
- No Cleaning Properties: Water doesn’t clean or disinfect lenses like contact lens solution does, meaning your lenses could become a breeding ground for bacteria.
Always use sterile contact lens solution to clean and store your lenses properly.