Types of Contact Lenses

Colored contact lenses: Types and how to use them safely

Have you ever wondered what you’d look like with a different eye color? You’re in luck—with the right prescription, you can find out.

To alter or enhance the color of your eyes, start with a prescription

Green contact lenses, red contact lenses, black contact lenses—people seek out colored contacts for a lot of reasons. Some want to put the finishing touches on a costume and some simply want to enhance the natural color of their eyes. No matter the type of colored contacts or your reasons for wearing them, there’s one important thing you need to know: All contact lenses—even colored contacts for a costume that you’ll only wear once—are medical devices requiring a prescription. So if you’re interested, the first thing to do is schedule an appointment with an eye doctor.

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Types

Choose your look with different colored contact lens types

Selecting colored contacts may seem as simple as picking a color, but there are actually quite a few kinds, each serving a different purpose. Let’s go over the basics of some of the most common types.

Different tints, different results

Now that we’ve covered the different reasons people may wear colored contacts, let’s take a look at the different ways they may be tinted.

Enhancement tint

Makes your natural eye color look more vibrant but doesn’t completely change the color of your eyes.

See ACUVUE Enhancement Tint Lenses

Opaque tint

Opaque means non-transparent, so these contacts change the color of your iris. These can be the best colored contacts for dark eyes or costumes since they do the best job of covering up your real eye color.

Blending tint

These colored contacts become more opaque as they get closer to the pupil, which can create a more natural look.

What are you using colored contacts for?

To start, colored contact lenses can be sorted by their intended use, because on top of changing the color of your eyes, they may serve another purpose.

To correct the appearance of your eye

If there’s been an eye injury that affected the shape or color of your iris and pupil, certain colored contacts can restore a more normal look to your eye.

For vision while playing sports

Some athletes opt for contacts with specific designs for sporting activities.

To complete your costume

If you’ve seen people on tv or in person that have eyes that look unnatural, say, like a cat or all black, this would fall under the novelty contacts category.

To express yourself

One of the most common reasons people wear colored contacts is because they want to have fun and alter or enhance the appearance of their eyes.

Do you need a prescription for all colored contact lenses?

A common (yet dangerous) misconception of colored contact lenses is that if they don’t have vision correction, you don’t need a prescription. To add to the confusion, non-vision correction contact lenses may occasionally be referred to as “non-prescription.” But remember, all contact lenses should be fit by an eye doctor and prescribed for your specific eye and vision needs.

Colored contact lenses with vision correction

Require a prescription from a doctor
Change the color of your eyes
Correct vision, like myopia, astigmatism or presbyopia
May be spherical, toric or multifocal

Colored contact lenses without vision correction

Require a prescription from a doctor
Change the color of your eyes
Do not correct vision
Also called plano colored contacts

Risks

What are the risks of wearing colored contacts improperly?

The risks of wearing colored contact lenses are no different than wearing any other kinds of contacts as long as they were prescribed by an eye doctor and you follow all the proper care instructions. Problems with colored contacts often arise when people purchase them without a prescription, buy from a disreputable retailer, and/or do not follow contact lens care instructions. If any of these things occur, you run the risk of:

Cutting or scratching your eyeball
Allergic reactions
Blurry vision
Infection of the eyes
Permanent blindness

Be safe and enjoy!

Colored contact lenses can be a fun way to express yourself and try something different. If you’re interested, there are a lot of options to talk about with your eye doctor. At ACUVUE, we do not carry opaque colored contact lenses, but we do carry enhancement tint contact lenses in a few different styles.

See ACUVUE Enhanced Contacts

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FAQs

Frequently asked questions

What should I know before buying colored contacts?

The single most important thing to know before buying colored contacts is that no matter where you’re buying them or what you’re using them for, you always need a prescription from an eye doctor (even if you don’t need any vision correction). Unprescribed colored contacts can lead to serious eye issues like infection and vision loss. Always ensure the colored contact lenses you purchase comply with the prescription obtained from your eye doctor.

Are colored contacts safe?

FDA cleared contact lenses have been shown to be safe if prescribed by an eye doctor and by following wear and care guidelines. Wearing any contact lenses that are not prescribed for your eyes can potentially damage your eyes and harm your vision. Consult with an eye care professional to get the proper fitting and prescription for colored contacts to help avoid potential injuries or infections to your eyes.

Where can I buy color contacts?

As long as you have a prescription for colored contact lenses from your eye doctor, you can buy those colored contacts online or at a retailer. You should never wear colored contact lenses purchased without a prescription from a costume or novelty store or any other outlet. The only way to safely get colored contacts is to visit your eye doctor for a contact lens fitting.

Can I wear colored contacts over prescription contacts?

No, overlapping contacts can cause discomfort, blurred vision and increase your risks of serious complications like an eye infection. Also, since colored contact lenses are medical devices just like any other contact lenses, you'll still need a prescription to get them.

Can wearing colored contacts hurt my vision in any way?

Colored contact lenses can be as safe as any other contacts as long as an eye doctor prescribes them to you. Colored contacts purchased without a prescription through novelty stores can be harmful and may cause permanent eye damage.

Is it safe to buy colored contacts online?

As long as you’re following your eye doctor’s prescription, it’s as safe as buying any other type of contact lens online. Any contact lenses you find online that don’t require a prescription aren’t just dangerous, they’re illegal.

Footnotes

Consult your eye care professional for more information. Johnson & Johnson does not provide medical advice; this information is for educational purposes only.

*Free trial contact lenses available only from participating eye care professionals. Exam and fitting fees not included.

Important Information For Contact Lens Wearers: 1-DAY ACUVUE^® DEFINE^® Brand Contact Lenses are available with and without vision correction. An eye care professional will determine whether contact lenses are right for you. Although rare, serious eye problems can develop while wearing contact lenses. To help avoid these problems, follow the wear and replacement schedule and the lens care instructions provided by your eye doctor. Do not wear contact lenses if you have an eye infection, or experience eye discomfort, excessive tearing, vision changes, redness or other eye problems. If one of these conditions occurs, remove the lens and contact your eye doctor immediately. For more information on proper wear, care and safety, talk to your eye care professional, call 1-800-843-2020, or download the Patient Instruction Guides.

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