More than an avenue to dress up, cosplay is essential in expressing the creative side of gaming culture.While cosplaying was once just a niche hobby, it’s now a serious part of the gaming industry. Even at large-scale gaming conventions, cosplay contests are popular events. For instance, at BlizzCon 2021, a cosplay exhibition was one of the biggest draws. So, whether cosplayers show up at conventions or arrange their own photoshoots, it’s undeniably fun and exciting to see them recreate their beloved video game characters.In fact, the list of the most cosplayed video game characters only attests to the wide range of style and inspiration cosplayers experiment with, from Overwatch’s D.va donning a simple ensemble of hot pink mech gear and a body suit to Yae Miko’s (Genshin Impact) intricate details for her Japanese shrine maiden dress, pastel pink hair, and downturned fox ears.But besides putting on a wig and changing their clothes, cosplayers can also bring a video game character to life by wearing contact lenses. There’s the option of applying coloured contacts to alter their natural eye colour and match it to the character in question, as well as wearing prescription contact lenses to stay true to the character’s appearance despite needing vision correction.So, if you’re a cosplayer who wants to take advantage of the practical and cosmetic benefits of wearing contact lenses, below are a few factors to consider for optimal eye health and safety.Choose the right type and materialWhile other types of eyewear, like spectacles and sunglasses, vary in terms of frame shape and design, your choice of contact lenses depends on the right type and material for your vision and lifestyle needs. If you browse Vision Direct’s selection of coloured contact lenses online, you’ll find that lenses in colours like blue, violet, green, and grey are available with a prescription. This ensures that they can accommodate refractive errors like nearsightedness and farsightedness.Additionally, brands like Freshlook and Air Optix feature soft lenses made of silicon hydrogel for optimal moisture retention and breathability. Therefore, you can guarantee comfort whether you’re wearing blue lenses to cosplay Link from The Legend of Zelda series or green lenses to match Ciri’s (The Witcher 3) emerald eyes.Ensure ultraviolet protectionBesides the prescription and material of the contact lenses, it’s also worth considering their protective properties against ultraviolet light. Contact lenses with UV protection can provide visual clarity, even for outdoor cosplay events and conventions with bright and/or scattered lighting. Just make sure the UV-blocking contacts you use are still regulated, unlike Nike’s discontinued MaxSights.Even if you’ll mostly be indoors, UV protection can also help prevent eye strain and discomfort by filtering blue-violet light from electronic devices like phones and cameras, which you’ll most likely use to communicate, take photos, or play games during cosplaying events. Case in point, top contact lens manufacturer Johnson & Johnson launched the ACUVUE OASYS MAX 1-Day lenses with the OptiBlue light filter to protect your eyes from UV rays and ensure tear-film stability and all-day comfort for contact lens wearers.Consider using artificial tearsDespite their convenience and ease of use, contact lenses are not completely without disadvantages, as they can cause ocular dryness, especially when worn for extended periods of time. Research shows that contact lenses can contribute to or worsen dry eye symptoms by disrupting tear film production and stability. Fortunately, cosplayers can use preservative-free artificial tears from trusted brands like Bausch and Lomb to reduce the risk of dry eye disease and manage common symptoms like dryness, soreness, and irritation — whether you’re wearing contacts for a quick shoot or a day-long convention.In summary, cosplayers interested in wearing cosmetic or corrective contact lenses must pay attention to factors like prescription, material, UV protection, and risk of dryness. Proper use and care of contact lenses also involve hygiene practises like cleaning your hands before wearing and removing the lenses to prevent eye irritation and infection.
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