FreshLook ColorBlends or Clear Contacts?

Logopolis · #1 (**permalink**) 07-07-2008, 04:42 PM

How do FreshLook ColorBlends contact lenses compare to clear contacts? Are they as comfortable? Do they cost more? Does it take more practice to put a color contact lens in that a clear one? Is there any reason why someone shouldn't choose FreshLook ColorBlends as their very first pair of contact lenses?

colored toric · #2 (**permalink**) 09-05-2008, 06:02 PM

Color contacts do cost more but other than that, they are just about the same as clear contacts. I would think that doctors would suggest clear contacts first just because it takes time to get used to contacts and some color contacts MAY (not a doctor so can't be sure) let less air through to the eye.

Logopolis · #3 (**permalink**) 09-28-2009, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colored toric

. . . and some color contacts MAY (not a doctor so can't be sure) let less air through to the eye.

That's a good point you make colored toric. Can anybody in the Lens 101 community tell us more about the oxygen permeability of your typical colored contacts?

Slade · #4 (**permalink**) 01-13-2010, 02:11 AM

ok, this thread has got me curious. Can anyone tell me what colored contacts has high oxygen permeability? Anyone would like to share? I'm thinking of trying on some other brands. Currently I'm using Freshlook Colorblends.

BigJim · #5 (**permalink**) 01-13-2010, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slade

ok, this thread has got me curious. Can anyone tell me what colored contacts has high oxygen permeability? Anyone would like to share? I'm thinking of trying on some other brands. Currently I'm using Freshlook Colorblends.

Hi Slade,

If you're looking for contact lenses with high oxygen permeability, go for RGP lenses. RGP stands for "rigid gas permeable." That fact alone should tell you something.

They are also known as "hard" contact lenses. That's the "rigid" part. A lot of people don't like the rigid contacts, but if they stick with them, they soon learn to appreciate the comfort they offer.

If you want to check out your options for RGP colors, go to this page here: http://www.lens.com/view/rgp.asp Click on a brand and that will allow you to see what colors are available. A few examples are Flosi, Boston XO and Optimum Extra.

Just one word of caution though. When you go to a brand page and click on the drop-down "color" list, it may only say "blue." I don't know for sure, but that may be just a very faint "handling tint" that helps you see the contact lens in the vial, but it won't make your eyes look blue when you're wearing them.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

Slade · #6 (**permalink**) 01-13-2010, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigJim

Hi Slade,

If you're looking for contact lenses with high oxygen permeability, go for RGP lenses. RGP stands for "rigid gas permeable." That fact alone should tell you something.

They are also known as "hard" contact lenses. That's the "rigid" part. A lot of people don't like the rigid contacts, but if they stick with them, they soon learn to appreciate the comfort they offer.

If you want to check out your options for RGP colors, go to this page here: http://www.lens.com/view/rgp.asp Click on a brand and that will allow you to see what colors are available. A few examples are Flosi, Boston XO and Optimum Extra.

Just one word of caution though. When you go to a brand page and click on the drop-down "color" list, it may only say "blue." I don't know for sure, but that may be just a very faint "handling tint" that helps you see the contact lens in the vial, but it won't make your eyes look blue when you're wearing them.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

Thanks for the information BigJim

.

Delta88 · #7 (**permalink**) 01-13-2010, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigJim

Hi Slade,

If you're looking for contact lenses with high oxygen permeability, go for RGP lenses. RGP stands for "rigid gas permeable." That fact alone should tell you something.

They are also known as "hard" contact lenses. That's the "rigid" part. A lot of people don't like the rigid contacts, but if they stick with them, they soon learn to appreciate the comfort they offer.

Hi everybody.

I just wanted to add a comment to BigJim's post. Not only are RGP contacts more comfortable in the long run than soft lenses, but the also provide clearer vision as well. Many people are surprised at how sharp their vision can be with RGP lenses in place.

Logopolis · #8 (**permalink**) 02-03-2010, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigJim

Hi Slade,

If you're looking for contact lenses with high oxygen permeability, go for RGP lenses. RGP stands for "rigid gas permeable." That fact alone should tell you something.

They are also known as "hard" contact lenses. That's the "rigid" part. A lot of people don't like the rigid contacts, but if they stick with them, they soon learn to appreciate the comfort they offer.

If you want to check out your options for RGP colors, go to this page here: http://www.lens.com/view/rgp.asp Click on a brand and that will allow you to see what colors are available. A few examples are Flosi, Boston XO and Optimum Extra.

Just one word of caution though. When you go to a brand page and click on the drop-down "color" list, it may only say "blue." I don't know for sure, but that may be just a very faint "handling tint" that helps you see the contact lens in the vial, but it won't make your eyes look blue when you're wearing them.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

Hi Big Jim. I went to the page you linked here and it said "Boston XO has an ISO/Fatt Dk of 100." That sounds great, but what does it mean? Is 100 a good ISO/Fatt Dk number? I know "Dk" has something to do with oxygen, but that's about it.

Slade · #9 (**permalink**) 02-03-2010, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logopolis

Hi Big Jim. I went to the page you linked here and it said "Boston XO has an ISO/Fatt Dk of 100." That sounds great, but what does it mean? Is 100 a good ISO/Fatt Dk number? I know "Dk" has something to do with oxygen, but that's about it.

Yes, anything with a Dk value of 100 and above is good

Juniorgerbil · #10 (**permalink**) 02-04-2010, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slade

Yes, anything with a Dk value of 100 and above is good

Thanks Slade.

So does that mean that we should not buy contacts with a Dk value of less than 100?

Slade · #11 (**permalink**) 02-05-2010, 05:50 AM

Well, it depends on the person who choose to buy their contact lenses. If you want higher Dk value contacts lens, go for clear contacts. Sadly to say, colored contacts are currently having lower Dk value.

ForceBwitu · #12 (**permalink**) 02-05-2010, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logopolis

That's a good point you make colored toric. Can anybody in the Lens 101 community tell us more about the oxygen permeability of your typical colored contacts?

That's an awesome picture, Logopolis. The girl has a smug little smile like she knows her eyes are freaking you out.

ForceBwitu · #13 (**permalink**) 02-05-2010, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slade

Well, it depends on the person who choose to buy their contact lenses. If you want higher Dk value contacts lens, go for clear contacts. Sadly to say, colored contacts are currently having lower Dk value.

Does that mean that colored contact lenses in general have a lower Dk value? Is that because of the dye or whatever they use to color the lenses impeded the free flow of oxygen?

Slade · #14 (**permalink**) 02-08-2010, 03:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForceBwitu

Does that mean that colored contact lenses in general have a lower Dk value? Is that because of the dye or whatever they use to color the lenses impeded the free flow of oxygen?

The materials used to make the contacts

Goliath2001 · #15 (**permalink**) 02-08-2010, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slade

The materials used to make the contacts

How are the materials different? Are two week clear contacts, for example, made out of a different material than color disposable? It seems to me almost like each individual brand of contact lenses is made of a different materials. Do we have a contact lens materials expert here on the forum?

Slade · #16 (**permalink**) 02-10-2010, 12:27 AM

Search it on Wikipedia: The one's for colored is usually PhemA

Superschwin · #17 (**permalink**) 02-10-2010, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slade

Search it on Wikipedia: The one's for colored is usually PhemA

Here's part of what Wikipedia said: "Pure pHEMA yields lenses that are too thick for sufficient oxygen to diffuse through, so all contact lenses that are pHEMA based are manufactured with copolymers that make the gel thinner and increase its water of hydration. These copolymer hydrogel lenses are often suffixed '-filcon', such as Methafilcon, which is a copolymer of hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate."

Interesting. Is this the material that colored contacts are made of?

Oh, and in case you were wondering "water of hydration" redirects to "water of crystallization" in Wikipedia, which then goes on to say: "Water of crystallization is water that occurs in crystals but is not covalently bonded to a host molecule or ion. The term is archaic and predates modern structural inorganic chemistry, coming from an era when the relationships between stoichiometry and structure were poorly understood. Nonetheless, the concept is pervasive, and, when employed precisely, the term can be useful. Upon crystallization from water or moist solvents, many compounds incorporate water molecules in their crystalline frameworks. Often, in fact, the species of interest cannot be crystallized in the absence of water, even though no strong bonds to the 'guest' water molecules may be apparent."

Wasn't that enlightening?

Logopolis · #18 (**permalink**) 03-05-2010, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superschwin

Here's part of what Wikipedia said: "Pure pHEMA yields lenses that are too thick for sufficient oxygen to diffuse through, so all contact lenses that are pHEMA based are manufactured with copolymers that make the gel thinner and increase its water of hydration. These copolymer hydrogel lenses are often suffixed '-filcon', such as Methafilcon, which is a copolymer of hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate."

Interesting. Is this the material that colored contacts are made of?

Oh, and in case you were wondering "water of hydration" redirects to "water of crystallization" in Wikipedia, which then goes on to say: "Water of crystallization is water that occurs in crystals but is not covalently bonded to a host molecule or ion. The term is archaic and predates modern structural inorganic chemistry, coming from an era when the relationships between stoichiometry and structure were poorly understood. Nonetheless, the concept is pervasive, and, when employed precisely, the term can be useful. Upon crystallization from water or moist solvents, many compounds incorporate water molecules in their crystalline frameworks. Often, in fact, the species of interest cannot be crystallized in the absence of water, even though no strong bonds to the 'guest' water molecules may be apparent."

Wasn't that enlightening?

Uh . . sure. Stoichiometry rocks.

Slade · #19 (**permalink**) 03-05-2010, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superschwin

Here's part of what Wikipedia said: "Pure pHEMA yields lenses that are too thick for sufficient oxygen to diffuse through, so all contact lenses that are pHEMA based are manufactured with copolymers that make the gel thinner and increase its water of hydration. These copolymer hydrogel lenses are often suffixed '-filcon', such as Methafilcon, which is a copolymer of hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate."

Interesting. Is this the material that colored contacts are made of?

Oh, and in case you were wondering "water of hydration" redirects to "water of crystallization" in Wikipedia, which then goes on to say: "Water of crystallization is water that occurs in crystals but is not covalently bonded to a host molecule or ion. The term is archaic and predates modern structural inorganic chemistry, coming from an era when the relationships between stoichiometry and structure were poorly understood. Nonetheless, the concept is pervasive, and, when employed precisely, the term can be useful. Upon crystallization from water or moist solvents, many compounds incorporate water molecules in their crystalline frameworks. Often, in fact, the species of interest cannot be crystallized in the absence of water, even though no strong bonds to the 'guest' water molecules may be apparent."

Wasn't that enlightening?

Hehe.. english please. I don't really get scientific terms

Logopolis · #20 (**permalink**) 03-10-2010, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superschwin

Here's part of what Wikipedia said: "Pure pHEMA yields lenses that are too thick for sufficient oxygen to diffuse through, so all contact lenses that are pHEMA based are manufactured with copolymers that make the gel thinner and increase its water of hydration. These copolymer hydrogel lenses are often suffixed '-filcon', such as Methafilcon, which is a copolymer of hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate."

Interesting. Is this the material that colored contacts are made of?

Oh, and in case you were wondering "water of hydration" redirects to "water of crystallization" in Wikipedia, which then goes on to say: "Water of crystallization is water that occurs in crystals but is not covalently bonded to a host molecule or ion. The term is archaic and predates modern structural inorganic chemistry, coming from an era when the relationships between stoichiometry and structure were poorly understood. Nonetheless, the concept is pervasive, and, when employed precisely, the term can be useful. Upon crystallization from water or moist solvents, many compounds incorporate water molecules in their crystalline frameworks. Often, in fact, the species of interest cannot be crystallized in the absence of water, even though no strong bonds to the 'guest' water molecules may be apparent."

Wasn't that enlightening?

Does this guy know how to party or what?

ForceBwitu · #21 (**permalink**) 03-15-2010, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slade

Hehe.. english please. I don't really get scientific terms

Let me see what I can do, Slade.

"Pure pHEMA yields lenses that are too thick for sufficient oxygen to diffuse through, so all contact lenses that are pHEMA based are manufactured with copolymers that make the gel thinner and increase its water of hydration. These copolymer hydrogel lenses are often suffixed '-filcon', such as Methafilcon, which is a copolymer of hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate."

Okay, so this pHEMA stuff makes good contact lenses, except it doesn't let oxygen through very well, and without oxygen, your eyes become very uncomfortable. You may expreince extreme pain, tearing, reduced vision, photophobia (sensitivity to light) and intolerance of contact lens wear if you can't get enough oxygen to your corneas.

(http://www.contactlensdoctor.com/contact-lens-problems/contact-lens-corneal-complications.shtml)

So they add another ingredient that makes the oxygen flow better. You can tell when they've added this extra ingredient when you see that the name ends in "-filcon."

Is that better?

Superschwin · #22 (**permalink**) 03-24-2010, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForceBwitu

Let me see what I can do, Slade.

"Pure pHEMA yields lenses that are too thick for sufficient oxygen to diffuse through, so all contact lenses that are pHEMA based are manufactured with copolymers that make the gel thinner and increase its water of hydration. These copolymer hydrogel lenses are often suffixed '-filcon', such as Methafilcon, which is a copolymer of hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate."

Okay, so this pHEMA stuff makes good contact lenses, except it doesn't let oxygen through very well, and without oxygen, your eyes become very uncomfortable. You may expreince extreme pain, tearing, reduced vision, photophobia (sensitivity to light) and intolerance of contact lens wear if you can't get enough oxygen to your corneas.

(http://www.contactlensdoctor.com/contact-lens-problems/contact-lens-corneal-complications.shtml)

So they add another ingredient that makes the oxygen flow better. You can tell when they've added this extra ingredient when you see that the name ends in "-filcon."

Is that better?

That works for me, ForceBwitu. Now to see what Slade thinks.

ForceBwitu · #23 (**permalink**) 05-26-2010, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superschwin

That works for me, ForceBwitu. Now to see what Slade thinks.

We still haven't heard from Slade, but I'm glad you found that post helpful Superschwin.

Superschwin · #24 (**permalink**) 06-25-2010, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logopolis

That's a good point you make colored toric. Can anybody in the Lens 101 community tell us more about the oxygen permeability of your typical colored contacts?

How funny. I just complemented another Lens 101 member for posting a picture with two different color eyes.