|
 |
||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||
updated 4/23/2009
Are prescriptions required?Yes. As of November 9, 2005, the FDA considers cosmetic contact lenses to be medical devices and must be sold only with the involvement of an Eye Care Professional. That means a valid contact lens prescription from a doctor is required for all lenses including plano (non-powered lenses) because it tells us that you've been fitted for contacts and have received instruction in lens usage and care. Please fax or e-mail your prescription with your contact lens order. If you cannot locate your prescription, tell us your doctor's name and fax number, and we will contact them on your behalf. When you sit for your contact lens exam, ask your doctor about wearing cosmetic or theatrical lenses with 8.6 base curve and 14.5mm diameter so he/she can make any additional notes about your needs. Freshlook Colors brand (8.6 bc, 14.5mm diameter) is a decent stand-in for test purposes of the lenses shown on our Cosmic and Idol Eyes pages. The more information your doctor can include on your prescription, the easier the ordering process will be when you want to buy contacts. How do I send you my prescription?Your or your doctor may fax to us at (866) 268-2546, or you can e-mail a scan/photo of it to us. We'll send you an order confirmation after we receive your prescription. If you don't get a confirmation within 24 hours of sending your prescription, please notify us. No confirmation = no progress on your order. Once we have your prescription, we'll keep it on file until it expires so you don't need to resend it while it remains valid for re-orders. Should I send you my glasses prescription?No. Eyeglass/spectacle prescriptions aren't the same as those for contact lenses and can't be used here. Contact lens prescriptions show the results of physical measurements of your eyeballs and corneas, not just whether you can see clearly. Many times, your doctor will also recommend a brand of lenses with dimensions that are correct for you. My prescription is dated 2003. Should I send it to you?No. Prescriptions expire after 1 or 2 years depending on your clinic and patient history. Old, expired prescriptions are no longer valid for purchases so schedule an appointment for an eye exam and use the time to talk to your doctor about cosmetic and theatrical contacts. Why didn't I get a confirmation?Either we didn't receive your prescription, your e-mail was typed incorrectly during the ordering process, or our message to you got caught by one of your filters. Your system may not recognize our address so check to make sure we're not being blocked, and e-mail us if your order seems stalled. How do I pay for my order?We've separated our ordering and payment procedures to accommodate the prescription rule and to allow for order adjustments (typo in address, selected plano instead of powered lens, changed mind about color, etc.). We use PayPal's system to issue an invoice after we receive your valid contact lens prescription. You can then choose to pay with credit card, eCheck, or PayPal transfer according to the invoice/web site instructions. If you choose eCheck, please allow one week for the check to clear before we can ship your order (a bad choice if you're in a hurry). PayPal membership is optional. If you don't have one, you can still pay with credit card through their system. If you do have a PayPal account that you like to use, enter that e-mail address on your order form so we can send the invoice to the most convenient place for you. How long will it take to get my order?Orders for Idol Eyes and Cosmic Eyes styles (both plano and powered) ship the next business day (Monday-Friday) after we receive your completed payment. Allow one week extra for eChecks to clear before we ship. For standard shipping (postal), please allow one week from the time you finish payment for your lenses to arrive. Orders completed on Thursdays or Fridays with 2nd Day or Overnight shipping (UPS) will not arrive until the following week. Occasionally, some powers or colors can be temporarily sold out. Near Halloween is when this is more likely to happen, but in any case, we'd inform you so you could decide what to do. Orders for Immortal Eyes require 3-4 weeks for manufacturing and shipping because each pair is hand painted. Expedited shipping will *not* shorten the manufacturing time which cannot be rushed. It will only move your package faster once the lenses are complete. What do I do when I receive my order?When you receive your custom lenses, you must inspect them as carefully as possible *prior* to opening the vials. (You can usually see the lenses through the bottom of the vial.) Check for things such as wrong color or design, discoloration, deformed shape, and cuts or tears. Problems are rare, but if you notice anything unusual, keep the vials sealed, and immediately contact us to explain the problem. We will work to resolve the issue and make sure you are a happy cosplayer. Keeping the vials sealed is very important because once they've been opened, it's harder to say whether the problem was pre-existing or user inflicted. If no issue is apparent, open the vials and try your lenses. Wash your hands, and pour the lens into your palm instead of trying to "dig" it out of the vial which can damage the lens. See "How long will these lenses last?" for more info. Do I have to be fitted for these contacts?Contacts cannot be purchased in the United States without a current contact lens prescription. We recommend that you consult your eye care professional for a fitting, especially if you've never worn contact lenses.Freshlook Colors brand (8.6 bc, 14.5mm diameter) is a decent stand-in for test purposes of the lenses shown on our Cosmic and Idol Eyes pages. Your doctor will instruct you in wearing and caring for your lenses which is crucial for the health of your eyes and for maximizing the lifespan of your contacts. Mishandling the lenses can easily result in damaging them. See: How long will these lenses last? If your doctor insists, we can ship your order to the eye clinic instead of to your home or business so that he/she can see how they fit when you pick up your lenses. When using this option, be sure to schedule a time at the doctor's. Our Idol Eyes and Cosmic Eyes (stock) contacts are all 8.6 base curve except for the new American Venus which has 8.7 base curve. They fit 98% of people. Immortal Eyes scleral designs come only in base curve 9 with diameters from 18 to 22mm. We're limited to only these measurements so please consult your doctor if your regular prescription indicates a different base curve and/or diameter. See "Are prescriptions required?" for more info. Do these lenses come in powered versions?Some lenses are available in powered versions and are indicated by a purple text link. We cannot fill toric or other highly specialized needs because our supplier carries only spherical lenses. You must fax ((866) 268-2546) or e-mail your current contact lens prescription with doctor's signature to us to have your order processed; scans of the labels on your contact lens boxes will not suffice. Most Cosmic and some Idol Eyes are stocked in powers up to -6.00 with a base curve of 8.6. These are indicated with a purple text link or with an * next to their names. Most Immortal Eyes designs can be made in a range of powers up to -10.00 in base curve 9.0. Be aware that some designs/colors don't take well to some corrective lenses, and we'd notify you if our supplier informs us that something won't work. I need a power so I can see properly. Can I wear these lenses over my own contacts?Eye care professionals recommend against layering (piggybacking) contact lenses for health and safety reasons. If you choose to do it, you do so at your own risk, and we will not assume any liability. How are these contact lenses different from regular ones?Theatrical lenses that disguise your eyes come in two ways: machine printed or hand painted. The contacts shown on our Idol Eyes page are authentic, Gothika brand products which are machine printed with opaque dyes for consistent color, design, and quality. The contacts shown on our Immortal Eyes page are painted with special pigments. Some styles can be translucent while the majority are opaque. Because of the dyes, painted lenses tend to be thicker than normal, unpainted ones. Be aware that the brightness of color on any lens can be a result of your computer monitor which recreates images using light and can impart a "glowing" quality which doesn't really exist in the actual product. Unless otherwise noted, each style has a small area in the center with no pigment so that you can see. The area doesn't change size in response to light like your own pupils do so the lenses can affect your vision with what is described as a "haze" or "tunnel vision" depending on the lighting situation. A few designs have a very tiny pupil which increases the haze factor so be extra cautious of your surroundings if you choose to wear one of these styles. I want to get sclera lenses. How are they different from regular ones?Regular contact lenses cover only the colored part of your eye, the iris, but scleral lenses are much larger and also cover the white part of your eye, the sclera. For this reason, we urge you to see your optometrist for a proper fitting before you order scleral contact lenses. Your unique eyes may or may not be suited to wearing this type of lens which is 20 to 22mm in diameter. Because they are bigger than regular lenses, scleral contacts can be difficult to insert. Be prepared to practice. Abundant lubrication (eyedrops made for contact lenses) is also recommended. Limit wear time to a maximum of 4 or 5 hours, and use contact-safe eyedrops often. Scleral lenses may also diminish your vision more than regular theatrical contacts because in addition to having a fixed, small pupil, the large diameter of the lenses themselves prevents them from having the same range of motion as your eyeballs. This vision hindrance compounds the effects of the "haze" (also present in other theatrical lenses) which varies from slight to extreme depending on the amount of available light. Avoid wearing them in low light situations, or exercise extreme caution if you must enter a dim area. How are cosmetic lenses different from standard contacts?Cosmic Eyes are cosmetic lenses that give you a new look without the shocking effect of the unusual theatrical lenses. They are designed to have the appearance of normal eyes in several colors. Each style can either cover or enhance the color of your own eyes, and they work on dark eyes, too. The Color Max series is the most opaque, offering the most vibrant colors of the four lens types on our Cosmic Eyes page. They're very popular with cosplayers because their bold appearance enhances costumes and shows well in photos. They also have a fairly large pupil opening so that they don't interfere with normal vision. Corrective powers up to -6.00. The Venus line uses a patterning similar to the Color Max, but the colors are less opaque for a more realistic effect. Many users appreciate their balance of obvious change with everyday practicality. Corrective powers up to -6.00. The Impressions collection uses a stippled patterning of semi-opaque color that integrates spaces where your natural color can show through for a realistic effect. Corrective powers up to -6.00. The American Venus series is the latest design and the only option with 8.7 base curve. Similar to "circle lenses," they tend to make your pupils look larger, and they have a unique, brown limbal ring that's not as harsh as the black ones. Plano only. The Bella series is semi-translucent and uses an array of dual-colored dots for a blended yet striking effect. Their printed area is close to the same size as most natural pupils. Plano only. Be aware that the brightness of color on any lens can be a result of your computer monitor which recreates images using light and can impart a "glowing" quality which doesn't really exist in the actual product. These are stock lenses, but some powers are available. (See: Do these lenses come in powered versions?) Does 'NO VISION' really mean that I can't see?Yes. Any design that covers the pupil will block your ability to see. Anyone wearing blind or 'no vision' contacts should exercise extreme caution to prevent accidents or injury: being accompanied by a sighted friend at all times, exploring the photo shoot location beforehand, carrying lens solution & storage case for on-the-spot lens removal, avoiding fast-moving or risky activities. Can you make custom lenses based on my reference pictures?No. Our supplier discontinued their "design your own" service so we don't offer it anymore. However, we do take suggestions and forward them so that popular requests get a chance at being added to the lineup. My eye exam was good, but I cannot wear the costume lenses comfortably after several days of trying. Am I stuck with these contacts?We sometimes offer refunds, but only on stock lenses, not hand painted. Only glass vials with seals intact are eligible for refund. Opened items cannot be returned. If you think an item may be defective, please contact us for instructions to return it for inspection. If we determine the item is defective, we will send a replacement. See: What do I do when I receive my order? Can I sleep in these lenses?No. All of our lenses are daily or occasional wear, and we do not recommend sleeping with them on. Besides, you're asleep, and no one can see your cool contacts with your eyes closed. How long will these lenses last?Idol and Immortal Eyes will last one to two years if properly cared for. Cosmic Eyes are rated for about 3 months of daily wearing. Be careful to avoid pinching the lenses when removing them from your eyes. Causing them to fold weakens the material and leads to tearing. Avoid "digging" the lenses out of the vials when you first receive them because it's too easy to damage them with your fingernail that way. Instead, set up your area with a washcloth or hand towel, contact solution, and mirror; and pour the lens into the palm of your clean hand over the towel. Avoid handling your contacts over the sink to prevent losing them down the drain. Rinse with solution before applying to your eye. Keep lenses in solution when not wearing so they don't dry out. Change solution in storage case every month while storing lenses. After one year of wearing, handling, and cleaning, the lens material may begin to wear out and become more susceptible to tearing. They may also begin to cause discomfort when none was felt previously. This is normal for contact lenses approaching the end of their lifespan. Are these lenses FDA approved?Yes, all lenses we sell have FDA approval. What type of solution should I use?We recommend liberal use of a multi-purpose solution that will clean, disinfect, and rinse all at once. Always use fresh product. The date stamped on the bottle refers to the shelf life of the sealed container. Once opened, it may last only 2 months. Contact solution is designed to be used up and replaced frequently so don't try to conserve it. Pour away and replace the liquid in your contact storage case(s) regularly to keep things from stagnating. Stagnant fluid is susceptible to bacterial or fungal growth which can cause big problems. Expired or even "unexpired" solution that has gone foul from sitting too long will harm your eyes. Our contact lenses ship with wear & care instructions to assist you. Can I share my lenses with someone else?No!! This increases the chance of eye infection which can permanently damage your vision. How long can I wear the theatrical lenses?Theatrical lenses are made for occasional wear, up to 4 hours - for parties and special events such as conventions and photo shoots. Why do you have ads for other contact lens sites?Cosplay Lab believes we offer the best customer service in the industry at competitive prices. We want you to compare our service to that of other sites and remind you that you get what you pay for. We don't advertise artificially low prices or display products that are no longer available. We hope you'll agree Cosplay Lab is the easiest and friendliest site to buy theatrical contacts online. |
| ©2010 Cosplay Lab FAQ Costume Posting Guidelines Advertise with us |
*indicates a feature available only to Premium Cosplay Lab members