Cosplay and Colored Contacts

Wearing colored contacts has become very common in the cosplay community. Some people choose to wear them with their costumes, and some don’t. I want to talk about some safety tips that go along with wearing colored contacts for cosplay. I think it is important to know that colored contacts are not a cosmetic product like many websites claim. The FDA calls them medical devices, and “All contact lenses must be prescribed by a doctor, including decorative lenses. Any contact lenses that are not prescribed by a doctor are illegal and could cause you harm.” The incorrect size lenses can cause corneal abrasions, ulcers, and potentially blinding bacterial infections like keratitis.

If you are a first-time contact wearer, it is so important to see a licensed optometrist before purchasing any contacts online. In these appointments, your doctor can also go over how to properly put in contacts and how to clean and care for them. This is what I did. The first cosplay I wanted colored contacts for was Black Rock Shooter, and I wanted blue eyes. I went to my eye doctor; we talked about options, and she did some vision tests specifically for contact wear. I got my first pair of colored contacts from my optometrist before purchasing anything online.

I now see an optometrist yearly for my daily vision and to make sure nothing is changing due to my contact wear. I am lucky that my day job has vision insurance for this, so I do understand that yearly might not be financially possible for everyone. I used to have to skip years when I worked without benefits. But it is so important to get that first appointment in and have a contact that knows your eyes, just in case something goes wrong, you have an office to call.

I have bought contacts online from three different companies, none of which I have many opinions on over another. These are ALL overseas companies since most colored contacts are illegal in the US, they are NOT FDA approved, even if the site says they are. There are brands of colored contacts that are FDA approved but no website outside of the US that sells many different brands is.

Pinkey Paradise was the first company I used on a friend’s recommendation. They no longer take PayPal, so I haven’t used them in years.

Uniqso is the second company I have used and does take PayPal, but I’m on the fence about them ethically till I can do more research. A few years ago, I heard there were claims of racism, which is a huge red flag for me.

Honey Color is another I’ve used, but again, they only take card and I prefer to use PayPal.

Everyone’s eyes are different, so take everything I’ve said with a grain of salt. Do your research and stay safe. You only get one pair of eyes, please take care of them.

https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/contact-lenses/decorative-contact-lenses-halloween-and-more

https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/colored-and-decorative-contact-lenses-prescription-must