View source for Biology:Circle contact lens

[[File:Circle contact lens right-on left-off.jpg|thumb|309x309px|Comparison: Without(Left)     and     With(Right)
Left Eye: Natural Brown

Right Eye: Hazel Circle Contact Lens (Notice the size different)]]
A '''circle contact lens''', also known as a '''big eye contact lens''' and '''circle lens''', is a cosmetic (non-corrective and decorative) [[Engineering:Contact lens|contact lens]] that makes the eye's [[Medicine:Iris (anatomy)|iris]] appear larger. It has become a trend throughout [[Place:East Asia|East]], [[Place:South Asia|South]] and [[Place:Southeast Asia|Southeast Asia]] and is largely produced in {{wipe|Japan}}, {{wipe|South Korea}} and {{wipe|China}}.
== Design ==
Circle lenses make one's eyes appear larger and come in a variety of colors and effects. They have been around since 2004 and are very popular in countries such as South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and China.

The diameter of regular contact lenses that are sold in the {{wipe|United States}} are on average 14mm–16mm. Similar to the diameter of regular contact lenses, circle lenses have no more than 15mm diameter since larger sizes would be harmful to the eyes at daily wear. When the diameter of the circle lens is described as 16mm or 18mm, it is only the provided visual effect of the circle lens.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.gaiaonline.com/forum/real-life-fashion-style/the-official-circle-lens-thread-poll-pics/t.52653443_1/|title=The Official Circle Lens Thread|publisher=Gaia Online}}</ref> The difference between the two types of lenses is that circle lenses are tinted not only in areas that cover the iris of the eye, but also prominently in the extra-wide outer rim of the lens. The result is the appearance of a bigger, wider iris with a limbal ring, creating an illusion of large eyes.<ref name="news.xinhuanet.com">{{cite news|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/indepth/2010-07/14/c_13399343_2.htm|title=Blinded by an Urge for Beauty|publisher=Xinhua News|date=2010-07-14|accessdate=2010-07-17}}</ref>

The optical zone in the middle is transparent and it is large enough to provide clear vision. When big eye contacts first launched, they were only available in yearly disposable format, but as the trend spread, these lenses are now available as dailies, biweeklies and monthlies.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.eyecandys.com/news/big-eye-contact-lenses-vs-regular-colored-contacts |title=Archived copy |access-date=2013-12-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213060903/http://www.eyecandys.com/news/big-eye-contact-lenses-vs-regular-colored-contacts |archive-date=2013-12-13 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The lenses are popular among teenagers and young adults. Many people consider circle lenses to be a fashion accessory rather than a medical device. In Hong Kong, many young female models wear them as popular fashion icons.

== Popularity ==
In [[Earth:Asia|Asia]], circle contact lenses can be bought from many online stores and are imported from manufacturing countries such as South Korea to nations such as Thailand, China, Malaysia, Japan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, [[Place:Singapore|Singapore]], Vietnam, Taiwan and the {{wipe|Philippines}}.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.eyecandys.com/tips-trends/|title=EyeCandy's Circle Lens Compendium}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826095653/http://www.sundaytimes.lk/020901/mirror/5.html | title=Untitled Document}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.thanhniennews.com/health/dont-be-blind-to-big-eye-drawbacks-doctors-advise-1495.html | title=Don't be blind to "big eye' drawbacks, doctors advise| date=2013-08-08}}</ref> They can be purchased without a [[Medicine:Eyeglass prescription|prescription]] (0.00 or [[Medicine:Corrective lens#Plano|plano]]) or with prescription.<ref name="news.xinhuanet.com"/> Their legality in the West varies with the local laws, and in the {{wipe|United States}} they are currently classified as a medical device and are not legal for sale without a valid prescription.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/04/fashion/04lenses.html|title=What Big Eyes You Have, Dear, but Are Those Contacts Risky?|publisher=The New York Times|date=2010-07-03|accessdate=2011-07-21}}</ref>

== Risks ==
A [[Meta-analysis|meta-analysis]] reported that cosmetically tinted lenses appear to be safe when properly prescribed by an eye care professional and when used correctly.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Rah |first=MJ |last2=Schafer |first2=J |last3=Zhang |first3=L  |last4=Chan |first4=O  |last5=Roy |first5=L  |last6=Barr |first6=JT   |year=2013 |title= A meta-analysis of studies on cosmetically tinted soft contact lenses |journal= Clinical Ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.) |volume=7   |pages=2037–42 |doi=10.2147/OPTH.S51600 |pmc=3798236 |pmid=24143071 |name-list-format=vanc}}</ref>

Decorative soft contact lens must be fitted appropriately, as tinted soft contact lenses may reduce vision by temporarily increasing the number of high-order aberrations under [[Biology:Photopic vision|bright-light]] and [[Biology:Mesopic vision|low-light]] conditions, as the center of tinted lenses does not always coincide with the center of the cornea, and thus decorative soft contact lenses must be fitted appropriately.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Koh |first1=S |last2=Higashiura |first2=R |last3=Maeda |first3=N |title=Overview of Objective Methods for Assessing Dynamic Changes in Optical Quality. |journal=Eye & contact lens |date=September 2016 |volume=42 |issue=5 |pages=333-8 |doi=10.1097/ICL.0000000000000232 |pmid=26783977 |type=Review}}</ref> Indeed, concerns with these lenses in the United States arise from people buying lenses without consulting their optometrists, which could result in lenses that do not fit the individual's eyes properly.<ref name="CBS news">{{cite news|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/07/06/earlyshow/leisure/celebspot/main6650728.shtml|title=Lady Gaga's Dangerous Trend|publisher=CBS News|date=2010-07-06|accessdate=2010-07-06}}</ref>

== Legality ==

===United States===
In the United States decorative, non-corrective contact lenses are considered medical devices by the [[Organization:Food and Drug Administration|Food and Drug Administration]] (FDA) and sale and marketing of such devices require market clearance by the FDA and a valid prescription from a medical professional.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/DeviceRegulationandGuidance/GuidanceDocuments/ucm071572.htm|title=Decorative, Non-corrective Contact Lenses|publisher=U.S. Food and Drug Administration|date=2006-11-24|accessdate=2012-01-11}}</ref> Devices that have not been cleared by the FDA may be subject to seizure by US Customs.

Korean contact lens companies Geo Medical Inc. and Migwang Contact Lens<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfpmn/pmn.cfm?ID=K051477|title=510(k) Premarket Notification|website=FDA.gov}}</ref> (operating under the brand name Clearlab in the US) have been approved by the FDA for sale in the United States. Circle lenses manufactured in Korea are under the approval and guidelines of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Acuvue, an American subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson (J&J), has a line prescription of 1-Day circle lenses marketed under the name "Acuvue Define" available in Far East markets, online<ref name="EyeCandy's">{{cite news|url=http://www.eyecandys.com/acuvue-define/|title=Acuvue Define Circle Contact Lenses|publisher=EyeCandy's|date=2013-04-16|accessdate=2015-05-18}}</ref> and now in the UK and US.

== See also ==
*Body modification

== References ==
{{reflist}}


[[Category:Contact lenses]]
[[Category:Eye]]

{{Sourceattribution|Circle contact lens|1}}