Blue Eyes: Some Have It, Others Get It

Blue eyes originated 10,000 years ago in the black sea region. Researchers have located a single mutation that causes the mysterious phenomenon of blue eyes. And all blue eyed people are genetically related to a person who lived in the Black Sea region sometime 6 to 10, 000 years ago. The mutation in gene can be definitely traced back to an ancestor from the Black Sea.

Before this time, every human being had brown eyes. A genetic mutation affecting the OCA2 gene in our chromosomes resulted in the creation of a ‘switch’, which literally ‘turned off’ the ability to produce brown eyes. When blue-eyed peoples from Jordan, Denmark and Turkey were examined, their genetic difference was traced back to the maternal lineage. The brown melanin pigment is still dominant. However, following the last Ice Age, Europeans developed this rare mutation that differentiated them from the rest of the human race. Ninety-five percent of Europeans in Scandinavian countries have blue eyes. They are also found to have a greater range of hair and skin color.

Comparatively, Europe has a wider variety of hair color and skin pigment than is found in any other continent in the world. These mutations are recent as Europe was colonized only a few thousand years ago, say mainstream scientists.

Through interbreeding, the brunette with blue eyes was evidenced about a few thousand years ago. Researchers attribute this to ancient interbreeding with Neanderthals. The question really is, why did we go from having nobody on Earth with blue eyes 10,000 years ago to having 20 or 40 percent of Europeans having blue eyes now? Answer: This gene does something good for people. It makes them have more kids. Well, that may sound funny, but even Ancient Egyptians have been depicted with blue eyes and Caucasian skin tones.

The world in 21^st Century is already a world of baby boomer generations. So we don’t need blue eye to have more kids. But there are many who just wished they had a blue eye only to look different or as an extension of their persona. Unfortunately, not everyone is blessed with a blue eye by God! But we do have Blue Contact Lenses to wear and change our eye colour.

Coloured Contacts are in vogue and they find particular resonance among youth.  So what are you waiting for? Get online and shop for your favorite shade of coloured contacts and become the Blue eyed boy or Blue eyed girl of your neighborhood.

Beware Of Fakes!

First it was in Singapore. A worrisome story emerged from Singapore where over 100 boxes of fake colored contact lenses have been seized from at least five optical shops across the island. The lenses, which look authentic but have typo on the packaging, have been found to be unsafe and of very poor quality. Most shockingly, tests by the Health Care Authority showed that the storage liquid was not sterile and was contaminated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The Singapore News has a nice selection of photos to show the similarity (or rather differences) between the packaging of the authentic version and its imitation packaging. The incident came to light when some optical shops tried to exchange the fake products. Although other colored contact lens manufacturers have been victims to contact lens counterfeiting in the past as such, this seizure sent alarm bells ringing for popular colored contact lens manufacturers and seller.

Recently, something similar happened in Shanghai. The Singapore seizure of fake contact lenses pales in comparison with the latest find in China. The most recent case concerns a haul of 1.8 million fake contact lenses in Shanghai, of course colored lenses which are high in fashion. These are reputed to have a value of over $10 million street value, as none of the samples sent for testing passed the quality test. In this case there is no mentioned of brand name being passed off but there is indication that the whole operation long back before the bust. That would suggest that there have been a huge number of fake colored contact lenses in circulation, more so in the Far East. One does wonder if there was subsequent rise in eye infections because of fake colored contact lenses which did not pass tests. Another important question that how were they being sold? Through high street stores? It seems that if this sort of operation is being duplicated elsewhere then there could be a major disaster.

So next time you shop for that favorite blue contact lenses, make sure you buy it from a trusted and reliable source on internet. Beware of fake and cheap imitations!

5 FAQ’s About Halloween Contact Lenses

Are you planning to complete your Halloween look with Halloween contact lenses but are skeptical as you have little or no knowledge about it. Here are a few frequently asked questions answered for you about costume lenses.

1. Would I be able to see clearly while wearing them? The center of most special effect lenses is clear so there is no difficulty in your vision. But there are a few types of contact lenses that are designed to hide the pupil and should be worn only one at a time.

2. Do these lenses come in corrective power? People with good vision can get Plano lenses that are with zero power but if you have a number then too you can wear them as some lenses come in corrective powers also. 

3. Are these lenses comfortable? High quality lenses are far more comfortable but if you are not used to wearing lenses than it might irritate your eye till you get accustomed to it. Costume lenses can be worn for a maximum of eight hours per day.

4. Are any health risks involved? Like every other contact lenses, these too pose health risk only if you do not follow the guidelines related to contacts. Wash your hands before and after handling them and never share your blue contact lenses. Keep them in the given lens solution when not wearing them and never wear a damaged lens.

5. Where to order for costume lenses? An optometrist can get them for you but it might cost you more. You can order costume lenses from a reputed online contact lens store.

Enhance your Look with Coloured Contact Lenses

Many of us wish to experiment with our looks but shy away from permanent things like tattoo or body piercing. These things do add up to your looks but it is not for everyone. A stylish hair cut or different style dressing is enough to change the way you look and boost your confidence.

All this would help you better your outer appearance without changing anything permanently. Besides clothes, hair style or make up, Coloured Contacts lenses could also help you enhance your looks.

Now-a-days, contact lenses are not only worn for vision correction but to change the color of your eyes. Coloured contacts come in different tints and hues that could give a subtle or a dramatic change to your eyes and over all look. They are available for cosmetic as well as medical forms and sometimes as both.

Coloured lenses have been used in films and theatres for many years. They were specially made for artists and celebrities only but not anymore. Colored lenses are available all over the market in many shades and even designs (for special occasions like Halloween).

There are two main types of contact lenses- translucent tints and opaque tints. The translucent lenses work best for people who have light eyes as they are designed to enhance and intensify your natural color. So if you have blue eyes than Blue Contact Lenses would enhance and brighten your eye color.

The opaque tint contacts completely changes the eye color by concealing the natural color. They are best suited for darker eyes.

Change Your Look in Minutes with Colored Contact Lenses

I love experimenting with my looks whether it is my hair, clothes or eyes. Yes, I love to wear colored contact lenses as they not only change the color of my eye but give a complete different look to me within few minutes.

One thing I have learned with contact lenses that some make me look so attractive while others just look fake and unreal. I found this after a lot of trial and error but you don’t have to do that. Listed below are some points that would help you choose the right Colored Contact Lenses that would suit your personality type. 

• Opaque or enhancement color lenses 

Opaque lenses are best for a person who has dark eyes while enhancement color lenses can only be worn by people whose eyes are a lighter shade because they make the eyes appear brighter and sparkling. Enhancement lenses are partially transparent and give a natural look. 

For example, if you eye color is dark brown and you wish to wear Blue Contact Lenses than you should go for opaque lenses. On the other hand a person with light brown eye color should opt for enhancement color lens. 

• Subtle change
 

If you wish to get a natural look with just a hint of different color then blue, grey or green would suit best on a person with colored eyes. It would add a little brightness to your eyes.

• Dramatic change 

If you have light eyes then you could go for darker shades of honey or brown. For individuals with darker eyes, Sapphire or amethyst could give you a dramatic look that could not be missed by any.