Leonardo DiCaprio is really difficult to recognize, wearing thick make-up and coloured contact lenses in his latest film, J. Edgar.

In order to play the aging FBI director, the actor had to spend six-seven hours a day in make-up. Apart from different prosthetic elements (fake teeth, a bald cap, a nostril-reshaping device, body pads), DiCaprio had to wear not one but two pair of coloured contact lenses. The first pair changed his eye colour from blue to brown, and the second one – placed on top of the first one – yellowed the whites of his eyes, making them look much older.

The makeup process was very complex, because the film presents J. Edgar Hoover’s entire career from his 20s to his 70s. The director of J. Edgar, Clint Eastwood, wanted DiCaprio to look as similar to Hoover as possible and was really satisfied with the effects of the make-up team’s work.

The film premiered on 3rd November and will open in the UK on 20th January 2012.

Heidi Klum’s Halloween parties, organised every year, are famous for the extraordinary costumes that Klum and her guests wear. This year, however, the model’s shocked even those who expected something really extravagant.

She entered the party covered with a sheet, lying on an autopsy table pushed by two men dressed as doctors. The men lifted the sheet and revealed Klum looking like a skinless dead body. The outfit was complemented by rotten teeth and red coloured contact lenses, which made her eyes look really spooky. Throughout the day, Klum posted photos showing the progress of her costume on Twitter. The make-up process was extremely elaborate and time-consuming, but Klum stated she did not mind it, because she loves the holiday and her costumes.

They, however, sometimes cause a lot of controversy. In 2008, for instance, she came dressed as the Hindu goddess Kali, which was criticised by some Hindu leaders, who felt offended and demanded an apology.
Last year, Klum wore a Transformers costume with hydraulic crane shoes and coloured contact lenses making her look like a machine.

In recent years, experts have been stressing the importance of protecting eyes against UV rays with the use of contact lenses or glasses with UV filters, but now it turns out that UV light may have a beneficial effect on vision.

According to a review of eight studies, conducted by Dr Justin Sherwin and his associate from Cambridge University, children spending more time outside are less likely to become myopic. Short-sighted children, the review shows, spent 3.7 fewer hours a week outside than other children.

One of the hypotheses that are now verified is that exposure to natural UV light helps to stop short-sightedness from developing. This is because natural light can make the body produce dopamine, which subsequently prevents abnormal growth of the eyeball.

An alternative hypothesis suggests that spending time outdoors protects children from other risk factors for the development of myopia.

The results of this study are of utmost importance, as year after year more people find themselves in need of glasses or contact lenses in order to see well.

At a meeting of the American Academy of Optometry, Bausch + Lomb announced the launch of PureVision2 for Astigmatism with High Definition Optics contact lenses.

The new lenses have HD optics, which – according to the company – result in improved clarity and meeting the special needs of patients who suffer from astigmatism. In addition, as Bausch + Lomb informs, PureVision2 HD for Astigmatism contact lenses incorporate Auto Align Design, which is a stabilisation system developed to provide extremely clear vision throughout the day as well as remarkable comfort and stability. What is more, the lenses are characterised by an optimised thickness profile, which further increases their stability, and a large lens diameter, which allows more effective ballasting and enhanced centration.

Another advantage of PureVision2 HD for Astigmatism lenses is that they decrease spherical aberration, which translates into reduced halos and glare when they are used in low light. Finally, Bausch + Lomb boasts that the new lenses have excellent oxygen permeability, leading to very good comfort all day long.

Last year, a record number of people decided to buy coloured contact lenses and make them a part of their Halloween costumes. This year, experts in the field believe, the upward trend will continue and even more people will put on crazy coloured contacts to look like their favourite horror characters.

Just like last year, vampires should be the most popular creatures at Halloween parties, mostly because of the success of the Twilight films (the first part of the last instalment of the saga, Twilight: Breaking Dawn, will premiere on 16th November and is sure to increase interest in vampire coloured contact lenses even more). However, many people will choose the zombie look, since the success of The Walking Dead has also been immense.

Of course, the popularity of coloured contact lenses also means that there have been numerous warnings regarding the safety of such lenses. However, if purchased them from a legally operating shop and used in accordance with instructions, they are perfectly safe and should complement Halloween costumes wonderfully.