Product: Air Optix Colors
Type: Monthly, Spherical (not for astigmatism)
Available in: 6-pack
Cost: $84/box
Adding color to contact lenses has always come at a bit of cost for contact lens wearers. Though it certainly makes you look great, color contact lenses have not always been the most comfortable contacts to wear. Unfortunately, the group of contact lenses that seem to cause the most health complications is the old generation of color contacts.
In this article, I want to share with you a brand that will still allow you change the color of your eyes, but at the same time, drastically cut down on the possible negative side effects that color contact lenses can have.
I am not a doctor. The information provided on this page is for general educational purposes only. You are not receiving medical advice or being prescribed contact lenses on this page. Please read Contacts Advice Terms of Use before continuing.
Old Color Contact Lens Brands
When color contact lenses were first introduced, it was during a time when contact lenses in general were not made of the greatest materials. The materials used to make contact lenses back then were not very breathable, thus limiting the amount of oxygen that could reach the eye. Needless to say, oxygen is critical to the proper functioning of the various tissues of the eye.
Now take those old, not-so-breathable contact lens materials, and add a layer of rough paint on the surface. The paint, which give the contact lens it’s distinct color, is not as smooth as just a clear contact lens, which means that every time you blink, there is added friction between your eye and the contact lens. This results in contact lenses that are both, not very breathable, and rather uncomfortable.
Unfortunately for enthusiasts of color contacts, for years that was all we had. The following brands are all brands of color contact lenses that are based on this older technology:
Note: Many of these brands are now discontinued.
- Acuvue 2 Colors by Johnson & Johnson
- FreshLook Colors by Alcoon
- FreshLook Colorblends by Alcon
- FreshLook Colorblends Toric by Alcon
- FreshLook ONE-DAY by Alcon
- FreshLook Dimensions by Alcon
- Focus Monthly Softcolors by Alcon
- Expressions by CooperVision
And there are many many more independent companies who make theatrical and costume color contacts. However, they all have the same downfalls of not being so healthy for your eyes.
What’s the Solution?
To address the 2 biggest concerns of the older generation of color contact lenses, Alcon has developed a brand called Air Optix Colors.
How is it Better?
It’s Breathable
It uses a much more breathable material than the old color contact lenses. In fact, it was named Air Optix Colors because it uses the exact same materials the highly successful Air Optix brand. By using this highly breathable material, more oxygen is able to reach the eyes, and less complications arise as a result
It’s Comfortable
It was evident that having the paint of color contact lenses on the outside of the lenses was causing discomfort for color contact lens wearers. That’s why the researchers at Alcon found a way to bury the entire color patter on the inside of the lenses.
That means that when you wear Air Optix Colors, the only thing that comes into contact with your eyes is the smooth surface of the Air Optix material. In essence, you get the comfort of a clear contact lens, with the benefits of a color contact lens.
How Else is Air Optix Different?
Air Optix Colors uses a very natural and beautifying color pattern. They are made with 3 layers that will not only change your eye’s color, but also enhance the natural beauty of your eyes.
The three layers are:
- Outer Ring – to give you a nice defining outer circle
- Primary Color – to give you the color of eyes you’ve always desired
- Inner Ring – a light inner ring to provide contrast against your dark pupils
Air Optix Colors has 9 available colors. They are categorized into subtle and vibrant.
The subtle colors naturally changes your eye color without looking obvious. They are:
- Blue
- Green
- Grey
- Brown
- Pure Hazel
The vibrant colors will cause your eyes to turn heads and be noticed, without looking fake at all. They are:
- Brilliant Blue
- Sterling Grey
- Gemstone Green
- Honey
To get a good idea on how each of the colors would look on someone with dark brown eyes, check out the following YouTube video by Nanci from the channel NanciAndJoshi.
If you want to see what they look like on different colored eyes, as well as on your own eyes, you can find out at Air Optix Colors Color Studio.
Air Optix Color Price
There is no price floor placed on Air Optix Colors, which means that the price may be different from site to site, and it may change from week to week. If you see the price listed as more than $84/box, do not purchase from that site, you will be overpaying for your contacts.
A reliable place to purchase contact lenses (in the USA) is a site called 39dollarglasses.com. Not only are the prices for contact lenses stable and low, but you also get a free pair of glasses with every year-supply purchase of contact lenses!
==> Click Here To Get Air Optix Colors At The Lowest Price <==
19 Responses
v. cognito
I’ve had color contacts for years from another company (which I loved). Unfortunately that company is no longer offering color contacts.
These contacts are awful! The center is clear and the outer ring is colored so whenever I move my eyes, an edge of the color band comes into my vision and distorts my sight.
I ordered from VISION DIRECT and they do not give refunds. UGH.
Julie
Hi, I’m sorry to hear about your experience with these Air Optix Colors. Just out of curiosity, what brand where you wearing before?
Regarding why they didn’t work out for you, did you have a chance to trial the contact lenses before you purchased them? Usually when you have a contact lens fitting, your optometrist will let you wear them for a week or two to make sure this kind of situation doesn’t happen.
Trying color contact lenses on before you purchase a significant supply is important because they don’t have the same success rate as regular contacts. The fit and the centration of color contact lenses is very important, and if it’s off by just a little bit, or if it fluctuates throughout the day, these are the type of issues that can result.
Adam
I have been disappointed to find out that Focus soft colors were discontinued. I wore Focus contacts for years and never had any issues. They were extremely comfortable. My optometrist recommended Air-optix colors as an alternative. I wanted to stay with color so he said these should be equally as good. He didn’t have my prescription in stock so he gave me clear air optix . He wanted me to try the clear contacts air optix for a couple days to see how they felt. I liked them they felt fine I didn’t feel any discomfort. So I gave the ok to order a year supply of the colored air optix. Oh, what a mistake that was. These contacts are almost unwearable. There is so much scratching and discomfort in my eyes. After weeks of suffering i just went back to wearing my glasses. The clear optix feels like a different brand than the colored ones. How is this possible? What can I do?
Julie
Hi Adam, thanks for sharing that story.
It’s interesting that you noticed such a big difference between the two brands. Alcon, the makers of Air Optix and Air Optix Colors markets Air Optix Colors as being just as comfortable as Air Optix. Their claim comes from the fact that they hide the color ‘inside’ the contact lens, keeping both surfaces smooth. Apparently, this wasn’t your experience at all.
Alcon actually doesn’t allow optometrists to give away trials of Air Optix Colors. Instead, they tell optometrists to fit their patients with Air Optix (clear), and if everything works out, to order the colors in the patient’s prescriptions. Exactly how you explained it. But all of this hinges on the fact that Air Optix Colors do in fact feel the same as Air Optix, which doesn’t seem to be the case…
My best advice to you would be to bring it up with optometrist and see if they can do an exchange for what you have left.
Thanks again for sharing your experience :)
Alexis
I very recently bought some air optics colors and was a bit concerned when I tried them on. Are they supposed to make you eye sight blurry around the edges? If so. Why is this?
Julie
Hi Alexis, that’s a good question. A lot of people report the same thing when they first try on Air Optix Colors. This is because when the paint inside the contact lenses gets in the way of your vision, it makes things a bit cloudy. This can happen if the contacts are not centering properly on your eye causing the paint to move into the center of your pupil. It can also be because you have very large pupils and your pupil is larger than the clear hole in the center of the contacts. If you’ve been fitted by your optometrist and he/she said everything is okay with the fit, trying giving it a few days. Most people’s brains will eventually phase out that cloudiness so that you don’t notice it anymore. If you haven’t been fitted by an optometrist for these lenses, I would highly recommend that you do so, as there could be many different reasons for the cloudiness.
And of course I just want to disclaim that I am not a doctor and this is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice :)
kimberly Butterbaugh
I ordered these contacts a week ago and they are complete garbage! So unbearablely uncomfortable and color ring slids over and impeds vision. I was so disappointed by these lenses becaues I love my air optix aqua! I also talked to a few other people who said they had same problem! So dont waste your money and dont buy!!!!
Julie
Hi Kimberly, that’s terrible about your experience with these lenses!
Thanks for leaving this review. The more experiences people share about their contact lenses, the better informed the public will be.
I have never personally tried these lenses, but this is not the first time I’ve heard this kind of feedback about them. I find it especially interesting because you say you that you love Air Optix Aqua, and Alcon claims that Air Optix Colors feels the exact same as Air Optix Aqua. Apparently, that’s not exactly the case. Not for everyone anyway…
I’m just curious, did you trial the Air Optix Colors before you ordered them?
Melinda Morse
I’m still in the trial stage. Wearing nonprescription gemstone green. So far I can’t tell any difference than my clear Air Optix. I hope this doesn’t change! I love them. Side note: I have had trouble with other brands of clear. My Optometrist said she selects brands according to the curve of the patients eyes.
Julie
Hi Melinda! That’s great, I hope they remain comfortable for you for the entire month. Give us an update when your trial is over :)
Suzan
I’ve worn contacts for many years, most recently Freshlook in Caribbean Blue. I absolutely loved them but my eye doctor told me they were being discontinued and suggested I try the Air Optix in Brilliant Blue. I really love the colour, but for the first time in my life I am having issues with my contacts. I am experiencing the same issues reported above, the scratchy eyes and major redness. I had to resort to wearing my glasses, unfortunately. Very disappointed and would like to know why these contacts are causing discomfort.
Julie
Hi Suzan, I’m sorry to hear about your negative experience switching from Freshlook to Air Optix Colors. I too find it unfortunate that Freshlook is being discontinued.
I’m not sure exactly what it is about the difference in these two brands that is causing problems for those who are switching over. And because I don’t work for Alcon, unfortunately, I cannot offer a solution to your issue.
From time to time I run into Alcon contact lens representatives. The next time I do I will be sure to ask them about this problem and post their response here.
Until then, if anyone can offer any insight into this issue, that would be wonderful.
Susan, thanks for sharing your experience :)
Fran
Fran, I have been wearing air optix colored contact lenses in gemstone green for 6 months. Everything about them were wonderful, (the fit, comfort, and color). My vision is not the same in both eyes. On my next order I decided to
try them in the pure hazel. when they arrived the contact for the right eye was a beautiful light hazel, but the left eye
was a darker hazel. I ordered them through my eye doctor at one of the target stores optical center. They try to help
by reordering, but the new order was the same. I would like to know what’s up with the discrepancy with the pure hazel color lots.
Julie
Hi Fran,
What a strange situation. I have no idea why the color of pure hazel would be inconsistent in the way you described. Hopefully, someone reading this can provide some explanation.
kla
Did Alcon buy Freshlook contacts? Is that why the price of Freshlook Colorblends has doubled in price?
Julie
The Freshlook brand used to be made by a company named Ciba Vision. A few years ago Alcon bought Ciba Vision, so yes, you could say that Alcon bought Freshlook. Regarding the change in price, there are probably a lot of factors involved. I’m thinking that Alcon probably wants to sell less Freshlook and more Air Optix Colors, so they’re driving up the price of Freshlook to discourage sales. That’s usually what happens when a company wants to discontinue a certain brand. We’ll see…
Natalie
Air optix are my favourites, because other brands almost don’t change my eyecolour. I don’t know if it’s because they are dioptric or they are different in europe. I have had problem with “cloudy vision” for first hour then it was fine,
Gillian
I have worn Air Optix Colors with zero issue with cloudiness or darkening, so imagine my surprise when just a year after my initial experience I have come to find that this time I have wasted my money! Safety is an issue when sight is impeded. One of the lenses is also mis-shapen on one of the pupils. It is nearly oblong giving an almost cat-eye shaped pupil. I would expect, for the price, to have a higher quality experience. I understand that manufacturing defects can occur, but I am still disappointed.
Caroline
I’ve worn Freshlook Colors and Colorblends for 20 years without issue. When I tried to get a refill, my optometrist ordered AirOptix instead. It took me a while to realize that AirOptix contacts were causing horrible dry eye, light sensitivity, cornea scratches, pain, and blurriness that got worse over three months. I realize that Airoptix are 14.2 in diameter, and Freshlook are 14.5. And Optometrists DO NOT put your genuine eyeball measurement in your in your prescription. IT’s a sham! Optometrists just decide what brand contact you use and put the size of the contacts down as if that’s your eye measurement. So if your optometrist suddenly changes your prescription diameter to 14.5 to 14.2, it’s because Alcon is pushing their new Colored Contact brand behind closed doors, and it’s 14.2 in diameter. Your eye size didn’t change! I wish optometrists could give you something like a shoe size, and you could shop diferent shoes in that size. Colored Contacts need to come in more than one size to fit everyone!