Devoted cosplayers know that to stay true to character, you have to stay as close as you can to replicating a character’s entire look — which includes eye color and design.
For some cosplays, you won’t need to worry about it because your eye color matches your character’s, or you’re wearing glasses or a mask. But for many cosplays, you’ll want cosplay contacts to complete your perfect look, whether it’s for Halloween, comic-cons, virtual gatherings, social media videos, or just taking pictures around the house.
Cosplay contacts are also known as colored, cosmetic or decorative contacts. They can change not only the appearance of your eye color but the shape of the iris and pupil and other defining characteristics. You can get contacts for cosplay with or without vision correction but still require a valid prescription from your eye doctor.
Prescription cosplay contacts are available in many, but not all, styles. And what about cosplay contacts for astigmatism? Yes, even people with astigmatism can wear some brands of colored cosplay contacts.
Scleral lenses are designed to cover all or part of the “white” of your eyes (called the sclera).
Safe cosplay contacts
Are cosplay contacts safe? Yes, for many people — but “many” isn’t the same as “all.” Before you even consider where to buy cosplay contacts, it is important to find out whether your eyes can tolerate cosmetic contacts.
While many people can handle wearing cosmetic contact lenses, there are some eye conditions that may preclude their use. For example, Cogan’s dystrophy (also known as map-dot-fingerprint dystrophy) may cause the cornea to tear and erupt easily when the eye becomes dry. The bumpy corneal surface can be difficult for contact lenses and may erode when contacts are removed.
Anyone with a history of corneal infections or diabetes is also generally advised to avoid contacts.
Be sure to get a prescription
An optometrist or ophthalmologist can examine your eyes and vision and can measure your eyes for contacts. They can provide you with specific instructions for safety and care, including how to put in, remove, clean and store cosplay contacts as well as how often to change them.
It’s important to follow these instructions to lower your chance of eye infection or injury. Many doctors can share horror stories about people who’ve been harmed, or even blinded, by the incorrect use of cosmetic contacts. No cosplay is worth risking injury to your eyesight.
Your eye doctor will provide you with a prescription that includes your lens measurements. It’s not just dangerous to buy contacts without a doctor’s prescription; in the United States, it’s also illegal.
Protect yourself from illegal contacts
Selling contact lenses without a prescription has been illegal since 2005 because of safety issues. Unfortunately, there are many people who illegally sell cosplay colored contacts online, in seasonal pop-up shops and in flea-market booths without requiring a prescription. It’s up to you to protect yourself by not patronizing these sellers.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has sent letters to multiple brick-and-mortar stores warning them to stop selling contact lenses of any kind without valid doctors’ prescriptions.
Safety issues related to contacts for cosplay
In addition to all the usual safety measures needed with contact lenses, cosplay contacts may have some additional risks. They are often thicker and less permeable, meaning that air doesn’t get through as easily. That means bacteria can get trapped inside the lens.
It’s even more important to follow doctors’ instructions to the letter when wearing contacts for cosplay. That’s not something Americans are great at. A report said that at least one contact lens hygiene risk behavior was reported by 85.3% of adolescents, 80.9% of young adults and 87.5% of older adults.
When in doubt, take them out.
Take out your contacts if:
- You’re getting sleepy.
- Your eyes feel irritated because of allergies, eye strain or because of the contacts themselves.
- You’re in an area with chemical fumes or other kinds of irritants.
- You’ve had them in longer than recommended.
FDA approved cosplay contacts
Contact lenses (even the ones meant for cosplay) are categorized as medical devices — not as cosmetic or over-the-counter products. Because of that, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates their use.
You can check the FDA’s website to verify whether particular contacts have been reviewed and approved for sale. If you’re looking for safe colored contacts for cosplay, you should always verify that the lenses you choose are listed by the FDA, regardless of what a manufacturer or salesperson tells you.
The FDA notes that contact lenses are not “one-size-fits-all” and that poorly fitting contacts can cause:
- Scratches on the cornea
- Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
- Corneal infections
- Decreased vision
- Blindness
In some cases, this damage can happen very rapidly — within hours, not days — and can be irreversible. Make sure to see an eye doctor right away if you have any pain or irritation that doesn’t go away quickly from wearing colored cosplay contacts.
Where to buy colored contacts for cosplay
It’s important to stick to reputable sellers when you’re looking for cosplay contacts — or any other sort of contact lenses. When you buy from websites, or from Halloween shops, convenience stores, street vendors or anywhere else that doesn’t require a prescription from a doctor, you’re not guaranteed to find FDA-tested and approved contact lenses. You could wind up with lenses that could harm your eyes.
Instead, visit a local optical store or choose an independent vision store close by. You can visit any of these stores in person to be examined by an optometrist and get a prescription for contacts. They will be happy to make recommendations and help you order from reputable brands.
Never place an order when a business doesn’t require a prescription; you don’t know what you’re getting from them. If they’re skirting U.S. laws, it is not recommended to entrust them with your eye health.
But you can shop around! Just because you get a prescription from an eye doctor doesn’t mean that you have to order your cosplay contacts from that doctor.
After an eye exam, your eye doctor is required to give you a copy of your prescription.
SEE RELATED: Halloween contacts
If you’ve never worn contacts
If you’ve never worn contacts before, you may not know what’s normal and what you need to do. Here are some things you should know about wearing contacts:
- Wash your hands – Make sure to always have clean hands before touching your contacts to insert or remove them.
- You should not feel them – Once a lens is inserted, you shouldn’t feel it at all if it fits properly. You may be aware of it and you may tear up at first, but once it “settles in,” you shouldn’t have irritation. If you do, it may be that there’s dust or dirt trapped under the lens.
- They can dry out your eyes – Wearing contacts for hours can cause your eyes to dry out. Check with your eye doctor about which eye drops can safely be used with your contact lenses.
- They may move – Sometimes contacts move around a little in the eye, especially if you rub your eyes. (Try your best not to!)
- They don’t last forever – Some contacts are meant to be used once and then thrown away. Others are reusable for a limited time when cleaned and stored properly. Check with your eye doctor and read the product literature to know how long you can keep your contacts before replacing them.
Whether you’re aiming for recognition as a cosplayer or just looking to have some creative fun, details like contact lenses can make the difference between a good cosplay and a truly standout one.
Which character are you most excited about cosplaying next?
RELATED READING: Contact lenses: A guide for first-time users
