Designer Vision

The fling with bell-bottoms just about over, the young Indian seems to be indulging in a colourful dalliance with cosmetic contact lenses. While an increasing number of teeny boppers are choosing to face the psychedelic lights of the discotheque with aqua blue eyes, the less flashy of the species have been spotted sporting misty grey lenses for those exclusive dinners on the lush greens of their parents' sprawling farmhouses. The youthful eye, however, is reported to acquire no more than a quiet hazel tint for post-college rendezvous. And though it takes upward of Rs 5,000 to buy this imported touch of colour, it does not seem to bother the upmarket youth.

"It's the latest craze and it costs money. But then, even a pair of good phirang shoes costs no less than Rs 3,000," reasons 19-year-old Deepshikha Rajgharia. Flaunting a motley collection of cosmetic contacts in her wardrobe, the only child of an affluent business family explains: "Coloured contact lenses are like nail polish: there is an appropriate shade for each occasion. A hazel pair of eyes will go unnoticed at a disco while orchid violet lenses at a date in a fast-food joint will make you stick out like a sore thumb."

Rohan Mehra is not as colour conscious. Less governed by the demands of the occasion, the 21-year-old usually sticks to his grey contact lenses. A student of fashion designing, Rohan feels cosmetic lenses are meant to attract attention at all times and their colour need not be situation-specific. "The idea is to make people remember you as that smart chap with startlingly grey or blue eyes. So why wear subdued colours and try to conform to your surroundings," he argues.

And even as the debate rages on in youthful circuits, many optical houses claim to be up to their eyes trying to cope with the demand for coloured contact lenses. Not surprisingly, manufacturers of big labels such as Ciba, Durasoft, Elegance and Natural Look have taken to importing more and more consignments of contact lenses.

"We weren't quite ready for such a whimsical upsurge in the cosmetic lenses market," says Deepak Jindal, optometrist at Delhi's upmarket Bon Ton opticals. Emphasising the minuscule size of the coloured lens market only a year ago, Jindal recalls the odd detective agency or horror-show company ordering a pair or two of contact lenses. Today, the Bon Ton outlet at Connaught Place alone claims to sell three to five pairs of cosmetic contacts a day.

Other upmarket optical houses confirm the trend. Thanks to the upswing in demand, Lawrence & Mayo has ensured off-the-shelf availability of cosmetic lenses. "Earlier, that rare customer who ordered a pair would have to wait days before we could supply," says B.B. Mehta, sales executive, Lawrence & Mayo.

Some optical houses have made more serious attempts at cashing in on the trend. Among them is Nadir Ezaz of Greater Kailash's Seventeen Arcade who recommends the "right" colour for interested customers. "I would discourage a person with a dusky complexion to use hazel lenses. It would look odd," he says. It is this personal touch, Ezaz claims, that always makes the satisfied customer come back for more.

Keen on sharing the huge profits, Delhi-based Purecon Sahani Contact Lens Laboratory has begun processing imported cosmetic lens blanks at their workshop. Says owner Baldev Sahani: "We foresee an expansion in demand which is why we have invested in this area. However, we do anticipate hindrance due to the Indian fascination for all things foreign." The success of the venture would mean a relatively more affordable price range of Rs 3,500 to 4,000. Indigenously manufactured lenses would compare well with the extravagantly priced imported brands which could go up to a whopping Rs 8,000.

The arithmetic, however, does not impress Rajgharia. "For all you know, the colour might run!" she says dismissively of the indigenously manufactured contact lenses. She and her friends would rather visit discerning eye boutiques to pick their cosmetic lenses. Till the fickle stylebook guides their youthful eyes in another direction.