They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But what happens when it is literally in the eye?
Makeup has long been used to tranform one's look and as a means of self-expression. The latest trend goes a bit further. "Circle lenses" are special contact lenses that give the wearer the "googly-eye" look of Japanese anime characters. They've been popular in Japan, Taiwan, Singapore and South Korea for some time now, and have recently become more common among the fifteen to twenty-five year old set in the United States. But ophthalmologists and optometrists warn against their use.
What are circle lenses? They're colored contact lenses which cover not just the iris, but a bit of the conjunctiva, or white of the eye. The overall effect is of bigger, larger-than-life eyes. A makeup artist and video blogger for Lancome, Michelle Phan, is depicted wearing circle lenses in the photo above. Ms. Phan has popularized this look in the United States through a YouTube video tutorial which has gotten almost 10 million views since it was initially posted in January. In it, she walks her viewers through first the eye makeup application, then finishes with instructions on how to insert circle lenses to mimic the look of Lady Gaga in her "Bad Romance" video. (Ms. Phan, on her YouTube post, admits that Lady Gaga probably did not wear circle lenses in "Bad Romance" but instead employed computer graphics effects in the video to achieve her look.)
Circle lenses, which are available in both vision corrective and non-corrective forms, are available inexpensively (starting at $20) over the internet without a prescription and are not FDA-regulated. Unlike prescription corrective lenses, an eye exam by an eye doctor is not required for circle lens wearers.
Improper use of circle lenses or other unregulated contact lenses are of concern to eye doctors for several reasons. Because contact lenses, unlike eye makeup, sit directly in the eye, on top of the cornea, their use can be risky. Risks include abrasions or scratches to the cornea, infection, and decreased vision due to hypoxia, or decreased oxygen, to the eye. Any of these conditions could potentially even cause blindness. The concern over these risks is great enough that selling contact lenses in the United States is illegal without a prescription. These lenses are readily available, however, from popular internet-based suppliers of circle lenses based in Canada and Asia. To play it safe, remember that contact lenses, whether corrective or cosmetic, are medical devices and not makeup.
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Source: What Big Eyes You Have, Dear, But Are Those Contacts Risky? The New York Times
Photo credit: Michelle Phan, Facebook
Image credit: "Sailor Moon," from watchsailormoon.com
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Comments
rated!!
-R-
Kathy: I am always amazed that so many people are able to insert lenses without a glitch.
Linnnn: anime is cool and the characters are cute, but I still doubt most kids would want to look like one. But 10 million people might know more than I do.
dianaani: I just pick up on the weird!
Leah: it seems many people would go pretty far! And I do think it's scary.
ladyslipper: same for me.
Jeanette: very good poiut about the fitting.
Safe_Bet's Amy: I agree that they are more creepy than alluring.
greenheron: that is an interesting point. I guess I should not encourage my 8 yr old so much when she draws her anime characters!
dirndl skirt: the list includes stilettos, Botox, and now this!
Poppi: I hope you haven't just started a new trend :)
Sheila: thank you.I have no idea why anyone would want to look like that. I suspect it started because of the desire for people with smaller Asian eyes to look more "Western," and then it went crazy after that.
Bonnie: ditto!
Leon, I definitely hope my kids don't go down this road.
Steve: good idea!
Seriously, you should be taking more than just an hour to research anything that concerns your body. If you want to dye your hair and put chemicals in it, shouldn't you to research about which hair dyes contribute less damage to your hair?
It's common sense since GEO circle lenses are JUST COSMETIC LENSES (not to wear everyday all the time).
Don't blame GEO circle lenses, like every other company; they're just trying to make money.
Just saying.
hair stylist