Before we get into the definition of expensive, let us understand the world of affordability first. Affordability is a bracket that varies for different levels of society. To some, driving a Japanese car may be luxury as they have been driving a local car all their life while to some other, a Japanese car may be affordable and they're peeking at luxury would be when they can purchase a continental car.

Luxury and affordability are not just defined with the type of car you drive but also with other possessions that may be affordable or not. One form of luxury that has recently entered the market is Sclera contact lenses. These contact lenses aren’t for just anybody. It isn’t your average ‘pick me up a pair from the optical shop on your way home’ lenses. They are premium, they are unique, they are luxurious, they are bold and they definitely for the discerning ones.

Sclera lenses are unlike any other contact lens in the market. They are large-diameter rigid gas permeable lenses. Due to their sizes (22mm to 24mm), they rest on the sclera - the white part of the eye, which has considerably fewer nerve endings than the cornea. Therefore, they are less sensitive which ultimately means that you will be wearing a very comfortable pair of contact lenses. Most users have conveyed that sclera lenses are the most comfortable contact lens they have ever worn even when compared to soft contact lenses.

Even though sclera lenses can be worn by anyone who needs a prescription or not (for decorative purposes), they are most beneficial to patients who have corneal diseases, dystrophies, and degenerations. Despite sclera lenses being produced for medical reasons and sought after by those who need them for medical purposes, these days, an escalating number of people are seeking out these colored contact lenses for decorative purposes. There is no better way to blackout or whiteout, your eyes and create a startling look for Halloween or to mimic your favorite Cosplay characters, for example Tokyo Ghoul’s red gremlin eyes or Rinnegan in Naruto.

1. The Material

Regular contact lenses may cause irritation and redness to the eyes due to blockage of oxygen after long usage or to people with sensitive eyes. However, sclera lenses, whether they are for medical use or cosmetic use, like the black sclera lenses, are made from a hydrogel material, which is designed for comfort wear over extended periods of time. Hydrogel is an advanced lens material that allows higher oxygen to permeate the eyes surface. This material is not cheap and adds quite a bit to the cost of these lenses. Cosplayers usually cosplay for hours and will need costume lenses that are comfortable and breathable.

Furthermore, if the lenses are adequately cleaned and maintained, their lifespan can exceed that of any other type of lens. Unlike other lenses, sclera lenses also protect the eye by exposing it to an oxygen-permeable fluid-filled chamber, that indirectly gives the eye the moisture and oxygen it needs to stay healthy while protecting it from outside threats or irritants.

2. Detailed craftmanship

Those who are looking at sclera lenses for cosplay purposes need to understand that the process of turning these sclera lenses black or making them into colored contact lenses is also not inexpensive. Moreover, extra cost goes into making the centre of the lens transparent to allow users to see despite the total opaqueness of the lens. Extra time, professional expertise and precision is needed to add that extra bit of material. These extra efforts will take a little more out of your pocket, but completing that head-turning cosplay look is worth every penny don’t you think?

You can save a bit of money by opting for machine-made sclera colored contact lenses over hand painted ones. Although there will be slight differences in quality and design, they are minor and negligible. If you required custom made sclera contacts, then you may need to consider invest in a pair of hand-painted sclera lens. 

3. For Medical Purpose

Sclera lenses are not originally created for cosmetic purposes or to scare your friends and relatives. Although nowadays, many people use sclera lens for fun and cosplay purposes, sclera lens was initially designed as an alternative for contact lens especially for people who couldn’t wear the conventional type of contact lens. Hence, their price tags. Sclera lens are used medically for people with conditions as stated below:

3. For Medical Purpose

Sclera lenses are not originally created for cosmetic purposes or to scare your friends and relatives. Although nowadays, many people use sclera lens for fun and cosplay purposes, sclera lens was initially designed as an alternative for contact lens especially for people who couldn’t wear the conventional type of contact lens. Hence, their price tags. Sclera lens are used medically for people with conditions as stated below:

• Irregular astigmatism 
  
• Keratoconus
• Smaller than normal eyes
• Post LASIK surgery
• Vision problems beyond standard contact power

As mentioned earlier in the article, patients who have corneal diseases, dystrophies, and degenerations such as keratoconus will enjoy the greatest benefits of wearing sclera lenses. Other than that, those who have had a corneal transplant or refractive surgery such as LASIK and RK (Radial Keratotomy) also are automatically drawn to sclera lenses once their vision tends to lose ‘supervision’ years after surgery. This is because the cornea does not have a perfect convex or dome shape and vision will become poor through both glasses and traditional contact lenses. Between the sclera lens and the cornea, there is a fluid-filled reservoir that fills in all the corneal irregularities. This creates a perfectly rounded surface and offers users the best vision they have ever experienced. Surprisingly, Sclera lenses are also the best choice when someone can’t seem to find a contact lens that works well or solves their vision issue.

Sclera lens can last for years and give you a nearly automatic disguise. This in itself makes its ‘expensive’ price tag a wanted affordability by many who seek that gothic, unique look, and of course to those who yearn the best and most comfortable alternative to the altered eyesight. Send chills down your neighbour’s spine and leave a long-lasting impression to your guests with the wide collection of high-quality sclera contacts carefully curated by UNIQSO  to satisfy your SFX looks.