Blue, hazel eyes are fine, but careful of the red

By Jules Bell

JAKARTA (JP): In a world where people regularly customize their appearance, from the shape of their nose to the color of their hair or clothes, it would be surprising if eyes were not a focus for individual expression and cosmetic alteration.

A rainbow of colored contact lenses -- including violet -- have been available for over five years in Jakarta, but they have become somewhat more popular during the last two years, according to optical retail outlets consulted in Jakarta.

Multinational companies like the optical giant Wesley Jessen now have a presence in Indonesia, although the colored contact lens business here is still young. Meanwhile, eye health associated with the use of the lenses is already an important consideration.

Colored contact lenses come as either porous hard lenses or soft lenses made from softer plastics. As well as these lens intended for everyday use over an extended period of time, such as six months or longer, there is also a newer variation of the soft lens: the disposable contact lens. These are designed to be worn for varying periods, from one day to one month.

The soft lenses most readily chameleonize a wearer's eyes. According to optical outlets around Jakarta, including Optik Melawai, Optik Seis and Lily Kasoem Optik, disposable colored lenses cost approximately Rp 180,000 (US$25). Non-disposable colored soft lenses are more expensive, priced from Rp 800,000 to Rp 1 million.

Both types can be produced to prescription requirements, the disposables to minus five and non-disposable lenses to minus 10; the latter are also available in a wider range of colors and shades.

Hazel, amber and brown are apparently the colors most favored by Indonesians according to opticians and staff selling the lenses. Tjoni Indrawati, an optician at Lily Kasoem Optika at Plaza Senayan, said blue is not popular among Indonesians, whereas for Westerners it is a preference. "Skin color has to match eye color of course," she said.

So what sort of people like to change the color of their eyes? A typical profile of such a person according to Indrawati is a young female, who is most probably working in an artistic or creative field, especially film and television.

"A lot of young girls like them," she said, "because they feel that it makes them more beautiful, especially people in film and television". A desire to change the color of one's eyes also appears to be restricted by gender. "Men rarely buy them," Indrawati said, who added that in contrast some women buy three of four pairs in different colors, to match their clothing on any particular day.

Nyai, 22, who is pursuing a career in modeling, has been wearing hazel colored disposable non prescription lenses for about one year.

"I wear them because they make me look more attractive, and add individuality to my looks," she said. She has experimented with blue contacts in the past. "It was exciting," she said, "but they were too obvious and looked unnatural.

These alternatives to glasses do come with health warnings though, especially regarding correct use and hygiene considerations. Optometrist Dr. Fidia Pati from the Jakarta Eye Center explained the potential problems.

"Contact lenses can be dangerous here (in Jakarta) because of pollution, hygiene and aeration. They take up dirt very readily," he said.

According to Dr. Pati, soft lenses, including those for everyday use and the disposable type, are made from an acrylic plastic designed to absorb a certain amount of water and become jelly-like -- which increases comfort -- in the wearer's eye. This creates a tendency for the lenses to act in the manner of a sponge, though, readily trapping particles from the air, which then remain attached to the lenses.

"Maintenance of the lenses is very important," he said, "especially in dusty environments.

"With soft contact lenses, infections are more likely in tropical climates," said Dr. Pati, adding that he had seen an alarming increase in cases of eye infection, some of which he added, were tragically incurable with antibiotics. "During the last year there has been a significant increase, and I have seen cases result in blindness, and there has been nothing I can do."

Due to his observations, he intends to initiate a study in September into the link between eye disease and contact lens use.

The hard variety, made from silicon, do not take up particles from the air as readily, according to an eye specialist, but users are prone to infections if careful hygiene is not practiced.

"Keep the lenses clean and practice good self hygiene," he answered when asked for his recommendations for contact lens use. He also stressed that it is very important to wear the lenses only for the recommended period of time, and not overnight, unless absolutely necessary.

"The maximum time before you must throw away disposables is seven days," said Dr. Pati, "and not one month as some people do." He also added that contact lenses should not be worn for more than 14 hours continuously, and that disinfectant and cleaning procedures should be followed precisely. Disposables, he said, were actually very hygienic and safe if used correctly.

"But the material that disposable contacts is made from is so cheap, so they hardly stand seven days before they begin to break down," Dr. Pati said. "It is as if you own a pair of shoes that you can only wear for 24 hours."