A cross between cosmetics and vision correction, everyone from movie stars, politicians, athletes and business leaders to soccer moms and teenage children can instantly become the center of attention at work, a party or on the court.

It wasn't long ago that contact lenses cost $100 to $200 a pair, and were worn mostly by the affluent or those needing a vision correction that contacts could do better than eye glasses. Today, just about anyone can wear contacts and there is a color or style for almost everyone.

One of the things that give contacts such a strong appeal is their ability to change the mood and look of the wearer. By changing your eye color from blue to brown you can not only change the mood from intense to romantic, but also enhance different features of your face, hair and make-up.

Colored contact lenses allow the user to change eye color with a trip to the bathroom.

There also are special effect lenses that are contacts with designs printed or painted on them.

The advances in technology, materials, demand and competition have drastically reduced the prices of contacts. Once costing over a hundred dollars a pair now they can be purchased for as little as $15-$25.

The low price and the convenience of being able to purchase contacts locally or online make them a popular alternative to eye glasses. Contacts often do a better job of correcting vision than eye glasses because they are fitted to the eye and aren't sliding up and down the nose where they need to be re-adjusted.

The improved vision, the convenience of not putting eye glasses on and taking them off, plus the often improved self-image make contacts an easy choice.

Keep contact lens use safe

Contact lenses, colored contacts and special effect contacts can be purchased with a vision correction or without, but all lens purchases within the United States require a prescription from a doctor. Because the lens fits on the eye it is considered a medical device and is governed by those laws.

Your lens will need to be fitted to the size and shape of your eye. At the time of the examination your doctor should also go over proper care, cleaning and disinfecting of your contacts. Simply tell your doctor you would like a copy of your prescription so you can shop for your contacts.

Your colored lenses probably will make you the talk of the office or school. And with your new popularity there will probably be friends and relatives who want to try your contacts to see how they will look.

Contact lenses go directly on your eye and sharing contacts is an excellent way of spreading eye disease, which is spread by bacteria from one wearer to another. So don't share your contacts with others. Remember you only have one set of eyes and you don't want to do anything to jeopardize them.

Alan Winters is an author of articles in the health industry and webmaster at http://crazy-n-colored-contact-lenses.com where you can learn more about colored contacts lenses as will as cosmetic and costume lenses.