What Contacts Did They
Use in Twilight?

By Gary Heiting, OD

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The contacts worn by the actors in the popular Twilight movie series about vampires are special effect contact lenses in a golden amber color.

These theatrical contact lenses (also called costume contacts or gothic contact lenses) are custom painted or commercially produced color soft contact lenses. They dramatically alter the appearance of your eyes and are very popular at Halloween.

In addition to styles that make you look like a vampire, there are many other types of special effect contacts, including versions that make your eyes look like cat eyes or the eyes of reptiles or space aliens.

Most special effects contacts are made of the same materials as regular soft contacts and are the same size. Lens care involves the same contact lens solutions used to clean and disinfect conventional prescription soft lenses.

Scleral Special Effect Contacts

Some theatrical and gothic lenses are much larger than conventional soft lenses and cover a good portion of the "white" of the eye as well as the clear cornea. These specialty lenses are called scleral special effect lenses.

Popular scleral costume contacts are ones that transform the entire eye into a featureless black, red or white globe.

Though some versions of special effect contact lenses (especially gothic lenses) may look totally opaque, a clear zone exists in front of the pupil so they don't interfere with vision.

How To Buy Twilight Contacts

Theatrical contacts are available with or without corrective power, so they can be worn even if you have perfect eyesight and don't need corrective lenses for nearsightedness or farsightedness.

These contacts are similar to the ones worn by the actors in the movie Twilight. Who makes them.

However, by law, even no-correction ("plano") special effect contacts require a contact lens fitting and a prescription written by a licensed eye doctor. This is because any contact lens that covers and reduces the oxygen supply to the eye has the potential to cause eye problems, especially if the lenses do not fit properly.

After getting your prescription, then you can order the contacts from your eye doctor or buy them elsewhere, even online.

If you purchase costume or special effect contact lenses, it's very important that you do not share your lenses with friends. Sharing or exchanging contact lenses greatly increases your risk of contact lens-related eye infections, possibly leading to corneal ulcers, scarring and permanent vision loss.

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[Page updated October 2009]