In the last two weeks of June, I knew I had to begin my search for yet another pair of contact lenses, as the “life” of my last pair of clear Air Optix Aqua was nearing its end. Incidentally, The Optical Shop in SM Manila had a big tarpaulin promoting discounts of some branded eyeglasses and Geolica contact lenses.
In particular, I was interested to buy the Geolica colored contact lenses because I want to see well, feel good and look good. 😀 The price (PHp 1200 for two pairs) was considerably cheap. With much doubt and curiosity, I asked the eye doctor a series of questions before paying out. Here are my findings:
Geolica Company Background and General Product Information
- Geolica (http://www.geolica.com.ph/) as a brand is specifically exclusive for the Philippine market under GEO Medical Contact Lens, Inc.
- GEO Medical Contact Lens, Inc. is the branch of GEO Medical Co. Ltd. from Gwangju, South Korea which is growing as a leading venture enterprise specialized in bio-engineering research and manufacturing of contact lenses.
- GEO Medical has steadily built up quality-control based productive facilities and adopted new technologies for its ever expanding customer base by supplying innovative and top quality contact lenses along with outstanding service.
- Each contact lens passed through innovative technologies with the finest process which made it obtained certificates, permits & approval from Philippine FDA, TGA in Australia, Medical Device License from Health Canada, ISO 13485 CMDCAS, Accreditation Certificate of Foreign Medical Device in Japan, KOTRA Seal of Exellence and Korean FDA Good Manufacturing Practice Certificate.
- Geolica colored contact lenses can be worn for six to eight hours in optimal condition.
Geolica Colored Contact Lenses For Asian Eyes
The thing that worried me was the shorter time I could wear the contact lenses —> pertaining to the fifth numbered point above. (Air Optix can be worn for 12+ hours without eye irritation.)
To solve this, the doctor assured that it’s safe to place drops of lens lubricant to relieve minor irritation, dryness, discomfort and/or blurring if ever I experience these issues. At the same time, the lens lubricant would clean the contact lenses while in the eye and retards the accumulation and deposition of lachrymal minerals on the lenses.
Another thing that struck me was that the Geolica contact lenses that were on sale are said to be valid for a year’s use. OMG ❗ I thought there may be a big possibility of having a build-up of loosened deposits and harmful microorganisms on lens surfaces. So how?
The doctor responded and showed me LENSCARE, “a sterile, preserved, buffered, isotonic solution containing sodium chloride, boric acid, potassium chloride, edete disodium, sodium borate, preserved with thimerosal 0.001%.” This product is specially formulated for soaking, disinfecting and rinsing of all soft (hydropilic) lenses including new polymers for extended wear. And this comes with the Geolica package from The Optical Shop.
OK. I was convinced.
Selection of Color and Design
The next step was to choose the color and design. They have a catalog of the different colors on paper but none on a picture of a real person. Because of this, I could not see how the colored lenses would look like once worn and matched with my dark brown/black eye color.
Colors (one-tone) to choose from were: Lady Aqua Blue, Lady Lime Green, Lady Light Brown, Lady Pearl Grey, Lady Cobalt Blue, Celine Violet, Celine Blue, Celine Green, Celine Pure Hazel, Celine Grey, Celine Brown, Circle Natural Brown, Circle Choco Brown, Circle Dark Black or Circle Dark Brown. They also have the two-tone and three-tone colored lenses which were highly recommended to me by the staff.
With fingers crossed, I chose the three-tone brown (left below) and gray (right below) ones and got my order the next day (because mine are graded).
Review of Geolica Colored Contact Lenses
Appearance: I started wearing the brown lenses on July 5, 2013. It was a Friday and many people in the office noticed how my eyes looked differently. I also laughed at myself when I first looked at my reflection on the mirror. 😛 Popular comment I got was that the pupils of my eyes became enlarged. 😯 Enlargement was not one of the features I sought when purchasing these lenses; nonetheless, it’s okay.
The color shows up well in most light. If you’re far from me, you might not see it in an obvious fashion. When you’re up close, you’ll vividly see that the design has spikes of golden brown and dark brown shades and you’ll know immediately that I’m wearing colored lenses. 你能看得到吗？
Comfort: Right now I’ve been wearing this pair of Geolica contact lenses for three weeks. Level of comfort is fine but at first my eyes tend to go watery and sometimes it takes more time for me to adjust them properly into the eye circle.
I have my contact lenses on for 12 straight hours to work, at work and from work. Rarely do I experience dryness. When I do, I just follow the doctor’s instruction: drop the sterile lens lubricant to moisten the contact lenses thereby reducing friction against the cornea.
On the whole, comfort level is not as high as the Air Optix but is satisfactory in the sense that I’m not bothered while they’re on and I don’t see or feel any hindrance to my vision at all.
Price for Value: I’m very pleased with the affordable price of Geolica contact lenses. I get to really save more because a pair of FreshLook colored contact lenses, from what I remember, costs PHp 450 (good for a month’s use), while Flexwear Colors (2 pairs of 3 Months disposable soft contact lenses of the same color) cost PHp 650 and Sarabia Optical offers PHp 600 a pair. Other brands are even more expensive.
Instructions and Precautions
1. Always wash and rinse your hands thoroughly before handling your lenses.
2. After removal of your lenses, clean each lens with the cleaner on both surfaces. You may be advised by the eye doctor to rub both lens surfaces for 30 seconds either in the palm using the forefinger on the other hand or between the thumb and the forefinger, while some lenses are not for rubbing.
3. Rinse surfaces to remove deposits and debris. You can make it a habit to clean and rinse the same lens first (either left or right) to avoid mix-ups. (In my case, I can go for whichever first because I have the same eye grade in both eyes.)
4. Place each lens in the correct chamber of your storage case.
5. Close the covers tightly.
6. The lenses must be soaked in this solution for a minimum of four hours before reinsertion.
7. Always use fresh solution. Discard solution in storage case after use, rinse and allow to air dry.
8. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
9. Never touch the dropper tip to any surface since this may contaminate the solution.
10. Store solution at room temperature. Keep away from freezing.
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