GENERAL LENS QUESTIONS
Contact Lenses Basic Knowledge: All you need to know about colored contact lenses, such as how to handle, how to open, how to wear, and how to take care of your contact lenses, is found on our Wear & Care page.
What is the difference between coloured contacts and prescription contacts?
How you put in your contacts and how they interact with your eyes is the same whether they are colored or corrective contacts.
The main difference between the two is that coloured contacts are used mainly for theatrical performances such as costume parties or cosplay events. Needless to say, they have medical uses as well.
Prescription contacts, colored or otherwise, are used as replacements for prescription glasses. Their primary purpose is to fix vision problems by correcting refractive errors and avoiding blurred images.
- OD – OD stands for oculus dexter, the Latin phrase for "right eye".
- OS – OS stands for oculus sinister, the Latin phrase for "left eye".
Power/Sphere (PWR/SPH) – Power or Sphere stands for the refractive power of the lens, and refractive power can be different for your left and right eye. It indicates how much correction your vision needs to function correctly and will be written as a positive or negative number.
Base Curve (BC) – The base curve determines what type of fit is required for the lens to meet the curve of your eye. This is usually written in millimeters or sometimes with the words: flat, median, or steep. A higher base curve means a person has a flatter cornea (the clear surface in front of your eye).
Diameter (DIA) – The diameter of a lens determines what length of width best fits your eye. It measures the width of a lens in millimeters, from end to end. Please note that mini-sclera and sclera contacts have a larger diameter than regular contacts.
Are PRIMAL® contact lenses safe to wear?
Our contact lenses are completely safe to wear. PRIMAL® contact lenses are manufactured in regulated and standardized facilities in compliance with North American quality standards. They are authorized to be sold in Canada by Health Canada and in the United States by the FDA.
How can I know that PRIMAL® contact lenses are a quality product?
The high quality of our PRIMAL® contact lenses is due to the printing method we use. There are two ways of printing coloured contact lenses, laser printing or stamping the design between layers.
Although laser printing is more efficient, the stamping method gives a better result. Furthermore, laser printing is often done on the outer surface of the contact lens, and the pigment is more likely to rub off.
The technology that we use secures the pigmentation between two layers of HEMA polymer to ensure the best possible experience for our clients.
How long will my PRIMAL® contact lenses last if I don't open the package?
You can keep your PRIMAL® contact lenses until the date written on the white label affixed to the box of your purchased product.
On average, PRIMAL® contact lenses remain sterile in their original packaging and are good for up to 5 years.
What are dailies and bi-weekly disposable lenses?
Dailies are disposable daily contacts that are meant to be worn only once. They are primarily used for one-time events or during outdoor activities and combat sports.
Bi-weekly lenses are called 2-week disposable contacts that last for 15 days. Each pack contains a pair of bi-weekly contacts, meaning you can wear these lenses for up to 1 month.
Please use the lenses before the expiry date indicated on the blister package label.
How can I choose which natural coloured contact lenses will work best with my eye colour?
Our natural-colored contacts are designed to enhance most natural eye colors with various color corrections, from delicate to intense changes that bring your eyes to the forefront of your looks.
Choosing the exact lens that genuinely enhances your natural beauty can be challenging to find; however, it's a lot easier now because of our contact lens product pages, where you can see examples of how these lenses affect natural eyes.
Our selection of natural contacts will further enhance your natural eye color with bright overtones and creative textures that won't overwhelm your natural eyes.
The colors are blended and layered in such a way as to imitate the iris and mix it accurately with bright colors. Your eyes will remain as they are but with the added color textures.
Another important aspect is transparency – meaning the transparent sections will allow your natural eye color to shine through. Use our natural semi-opaque contact lenses to elevate your style.
Most natural-colored contacts are designed for people with brown or dark eyes. However, it is essential to choose a color that will complement your natural complexion. Our natural collection is available in vibrant, shimmering shades and dark, overwhelming colors.
We usually restock every season. However, we cannot determine the exact restock date. As soon as the new stock arrives, we update the website and send out an email notification to everyone who subscribed to the product.
You can subscribe to our mailing list from the product page, and you will be notified when the product is restocked.
Do PRIMAL® contact lenses have a UV filter?
Our bi-weely clear non-colored, and daily prescription contact lenses have a UV filter that protects your eyes from the harmful sun rays. Perfect for anyone who spends the majority of their day outside.
This filter blocks UVA and UVB rays without affecting the light quality around you like sunglasses do.
Do PRIMAL®'s cat-eye style contact lenses always stay in place?
PRIMAL's cat-eye style contact lenses are weighted to ensure they stay in place as long as possible. Nevertheless, this type of contact lens might end up rotating on your eye after a long enough period or following repeated blinking. Rest assured, however, that this will in no way affect your vision.
PURCHASE
What methods of payment do you accept?
We accept both PayPal and credit cards as methods of payment.
What is your return policy?
We always strive to provide our clients with the best possible shopping experience – this is one of our core values.
If you are not 100% satisfied with your first purchase of PRIMAL® contact lenses, please let us know, and we would be happy to assist.
In the unlikely event you receive defective or damaged contact lenses, do not throw them or the packaging out. You can return the product and issue store credit, an exchange, or a refund.
Please do not return the product before contacting our customer service department. You can get in touch with us via our customer service page.
How can I track my order?
Once an order is shipped, shipping confirmation and the tracking number are sent to your email and stored in your order history if you have an account.
If you experience any issues when recovering your order ID or the tracking number. Please feel free to Contact Us. Our customer service agents will be happy to help you.
Do I need to take an eye exam before wearing PRIMAL® contact lenses?
We encourage you to always visit an eye-care professional before wearing contact lenses. Your eye care professional will conduct an eye health examination to see if wearing contacts won't have a negative effect on your eyes, explain how to wear contacts properly, and provide you with a valid prescription for your contacts.
Even if you only wear non-prescription cosmetic contact lenses a couple of times a year, we would still encourage you to visit an eye-care professional first. Not having a valid prescription can entail a certain number of risks.
If you feel any discomfort, remove your contacts and speak to your optometrist about it. Although most eyes have a base curve of 8.6 mm, this measurement can vary from person to person, just like any other body part.
How do I order mixed prescriptions?
If you have a different prescription/power for each eye, you will need to choose your OD and OS from the list of powers provided on the product page. You will receive one pair per eye, therefore two packs in each order.
Contact Lens Basic Knowledge
All you need to know about colored contact lenses such as how to handle, how to open, how to wear and how to care.
I have just received my lenses, but I noticed that the colour is not the same as what I see on your website. Why is it not the same colour as shown on your website?
Our website has both digital illustrations and real-life photos. The digital illustrations are interpretations of the designs and not the exact replicas of our real-life lenses. Please refer to the product page and see how our lenses look on natural eyes.
I have just received my lenses, but I noticed that the colour is different from what I purchased before. Why is it not the same colour as shown on your website?
Our lenses are made frequently, and thus, the colour may vary slightly from the previous batch, but the design will always remain the same. Please refer to our website for our lenses on real-life models for accurate colour representation.
Can I also purchase PRIMAL® contact lenses in-store?
PRIMAL contact lenses are available at numerous retailers across Canada, the US, and the world! To find a retailer near you, please use our contact form or contact our customer service at: Hello@PrimalContactLenses.com.
I live outside of Canada – can I still purchase your PRIMAL® contact lenses?
If you live outside of Canada, you can still purchase our contact lenses at a local retailer or online on our web store.
If you intend to make an online purchase, we suggest that you first read up on the standards currently placed in your country to ensure there will not be any issues with importing your contacts. PRIMAL® Contact Lenses cannot be held responsible if your purchase is held up at customs in your country.
Shipping Information
Our Montreal distribution center aims to provide you with the most reliable and speedy delivery for your orders. We offer several options for your convenience from Canada Post and UPS, depending on your delivery region and address.
You can find plenty of shipping options on checkout to find a service that works for you. Please note some parts of British Columbia, Maritime Provinces, and rural areas may experience longer than expected delivery times. Please refer to our Shipping Policy for more information.
When ordering at Primal Contact Lenses, please keep in mind the following.
- Most in-stock orders placed before 2 pm EST are shipped the same day.
- Any orders placed on weekends will be processed and shipped on the next working day.
- Delivery dates are generated by the courier service after your order is shipped.
- 'Working Days' refer to Monday to Friday and DO NOT include the weekends.
- Internation orders are subjected to international duties and clearance fees, all of which will be paid by the receiver.
- Delivery Dates aren't always guaranteed. Unforeseen delays in courier service and postage can affect delivery times.
How Long Does Shipping Take?
For orders placed within Canada and U.S.A, the delivery times are as follows:
- Standard Shipping: 3–6 Business Days
- Express Shipping: 1–2 Business Days
For international orders, the shipping charges and delivery times are different:
- Standard Shipping: 12–30 Business Days
- Express Shipping: 4–7 Business Days
Halloween Disclaimer
Halloween is our favorite time of the year, and we want you to enjoy it as much as we do! To help ensure your contacts arrive on time, please order a minimum of 1 week in advance. We offer several shipping options for your convenience but cannot guarantee the delivery window in case of unforeseen delays.
Wearing Your Contacts
Do colour contact lenses hurt?
Colour contact lenses are designed to provide comfort to the wearer and should never cause any sort of discomfort. While they may take some time to get used for a beginner, the discomfort should disappear quickly. PRIMAL contact lenses feel natural and unnoticeable throughout your day. So if your eyes are straining, there is something wrong with your contact lenses.
Please note that contact lenses can be damaged if you don't handle them carefully, use a proper disinfectant solution to clean them after each use, use a valid prescription when purchasing your contacts, and never use your contacts after the expiry date.
How long can I wear my PRIMAL® contact lenses?
PRIMAL® Contact Lenses offer high oxygen permeability to allow the flow of oxygen, so you can wear them comfortably for long hours. To maintain optimal eye condition, PRIMAL® contact lenses should not be worn for more than three months – and longer than 8 hours per day.
As time pass, contact lenses become less porous and more rigid. Whether or not they are frequently used, the amount of oxygen they allow to reach the cornea will significantly decrease, and there will be a constant feeling of discomfort.
As the case with every other contact lens, PRIMAL® contact lenses are not meant to be worn after the recommended length of time (3 months). Doing so will increase the level of risk – you will risk eye irritation to infection and corneal abrasion.
Please note that the majority of problems linked to wearing contact lenses are caused by improper use of products and not the contacts themselves.
Can I sleep with my PRIMAL® contact lenses in?
Don't sleep with your contact lenses in for one very simple reason – you don't want your eyes to not have access to oxygen. Wearing contacts while you sleep will add layer above your cornea that can cause irritation and corneal abrasions.
When your eyelids are open in the morning, the cornea receives oxygen from the air. However, at night when your eyelids are closed, the cornea receives oxygen from the blood vessels of the conjunctiva.
Your contact lenses can put a blockade between your eyes, and your eyelids, which prevents the oxygen to your eyes can cause them to swell up.
Can I wear two contact lenses in one eye?
No, you should never wear two contact lenses in one eye. Even if the contacts you're wearing are oxygen permeable, doubling the layers will cause corneal hypoxia (oxygen deficiency), which can lead to increased growth of bacteria and risk of an eye infection.
If your goal is to mix a corrective prescription lens with your coloured contact lens, we recommend using the coloured contact lens with prescription glasses to correct your vision.
Can I continue to wear my PRIMAL® contact lenses after their three-month lifespan is up?
No, contact lenses aren't meant to be used past their recommended time limit. PRIMAL® contact lenses are applicable to wear for three (3) months. With time, the molecules of contact lenses weaken and become less porous, which can increase the level of irritation and cause abrasions.
Whether or not they are frequently worn, the amount of oxygen that your contacts allow to reach the cornea significantly decreases after three months. Ultimately causing corneal hypoxia.
Can I share my PRIMAL® contact lenses with my friends?
Never share your contact lenses with your friends or with anyone. Lending out or wearing someone else's contacts can spread infection and, in most cases – damage the surface of your eye.
In fact, doing so is often the root cause of eye infections and conjunctivitis (pink eye). Wearing colored contacts should be a personal affair, and your contacts should be treated and cared for in the same way that you would any other contact lenses.
Can I use water or saliva to clean and store my PRIMAL® contact lenses?
We do not recommend cleaning your contacts with either water or your saliva, it is unsanitary and harmful. Using your saliva to clean your contacts can cause the transfer of oral bacteria, which is highly unhealthy, and using water can cause your contacts to swell up and change their size. Only use an appropriate disinfecting solution.
Can I play sports while wearing my PRIMAL® contact lenses?
Yes, you can definitely wear your contact lenses when you're playing a sport. In fact, eye doctors recommend wearing contacts over glasses. Because the lenses in glasses can break and damage your eyes. Disposable, soft contact lenses are the easiest to wear during sports because they are large, making them more stable.
Water activities
Swimming with contact lenses is not recommended by ophthalmologists. Despite the presence of chlorine, pool water contains parasites and germs that can become embedded between the contacts and your eye, causing irritation or even an infection.
It's better to avoid any type of contacts when it comes to swimming, water polo, or even synchronized swimming. You are better off using prescription swimming goggles.
Combat and team sports
It is safe to avoid any type of contact lenses during combat sports if your eyesight isn't completely terrible. There is a high chance of getting hit in the face and having your contacts knocked out. But if you can't fight without your contacts, use disposable, single-use contacts, so it's not a huge deal if you lose one or two.
As such, it is recommended that contact lenses be worn for judo, karate, taekwondo, soccer, handball, basketball, and any other combat or team sport. In addition to increasing your comfort level during play, contacts also widen your field of vision, improving your performance.
Outdoor sports
When outdoors, wearing soft contact lenses is strongly recommended, and if you're worried about losing your contacts, try using daily disposable contacts.
Wearing contact lenses is much safer than glasses, but remember to adequately protect your eyes from the sun whether you are jogging, biking, skiing, climbing, or even snowboarding – no matter the weather! Your eyes, just like your skin, require at least a minimum protection from the sun.
For athletes with vision problems, contact lenses are the best solution. They improve both your vision and sense of surrounding, which will also increase your performance afterward.
Can I drive at night while I'm wearing my PRIMAL ® contact lenses?
Yes, you can drive while wearing your PRIMAL® contact lenses. Your pupils dilate on average to 4.6 mm in low light and can end up dilating even more, which can cause blurry vision to some people depending on their eyesight.
It is recommended that all patients with pupil dilation do not drive themselves at night. However, if eye dilation isn't a big issue for you, your ability to see will not be affected. You might even end up with a light, colored halo around your field of vision.
WARNING: With our "Mesh" models, which cover your pupils, driving is not permitted, especially not at night, as these contacts will reduce and limit your field of vision.
- The following are PRIMAL®’s “Mesh” models:
TERMINATOR I
TERMINATOR II
JURASSIC I
JURASSIC II
JURASSIC III
SUBZERO
X-RAY
SAIYAN
WHITE WALKER I
WHITE WALKER II
WHITE MS
RED MS
BLACK MS
SHATTER
TORCH
LOKI
PLAGUE