I've worn contact lenses for years and like a 'change from the norm' lens case, just to liven up what is usually a very boring routine. Knowing this, when my sis popped down last month she brought me a mirrored contact lens case made by iView.

In theory this is a fab idea, one lid being a tiny mirror designed to make it easier to insert and take out your lenses. In practice however it doesn't work too well. Surprisingly it's not the very small size of the mirror that causes the problems, more because the mirror doesn't give a very good reflection and unless you're in very bright light you'll be lucky to get a reflection at all.

The case itself is a good one; as you can see from the piccie above it is a side-by-side lens case which has fairly shallow wells and screw top lids. The shallow wells are good as it prevents me having to use too much of my expensive contact lens solution each time I pop my lenses in to soak - not that this is an issue for me as Specsavers send me a ridiculous amount of solution each month, it's a veritable EEC contact lens solution mountain by now.

The lids are deeply ridged on the outside so I can get a good grip even when my fingers are covered in sticky soapy solution, the lids are also chunky enough that I never fumble or do that dopey clumsy juggle with them. Contact lens wearers will know what I'm talking about! They screw on smoothly and don't tend to go on at weird angles, they're not perfect and occasionally a lid will wedge but this isn't very often and (thank god) they never quite get so stuck that I can't move them with brute force!

I do think these are over-marketed though as far as the mirror goes, it's too small for starters and the slightest bit of condensation smears the surface and means you can't see anything anyway. I don't need a mirror myself but remember what it was like being a newbie to contact lenses and am disappointed that such a brill idea doesn't work as well as it could. Most people keep their contact lenses in the bathroom so the danger of condensation is ever present; once this cheap plasticky mirror has steamed up it's useless, you can't even wipe it as a cloth or tissue just smears.

This case is available in a range of different colours, mine is a funny muted pink which isn't as 'pretty' as it sounds and actually looks a bit cheap. It's a change from white though I suppose!