Types of contacts lenses

Common types of prescription colored contact lenses

Colored contact lenses can be a fun way to change or enhance your natural eye color, whether you're looking for a subtle shift or a dramatic new look. But it's important to remember: they're still medical devices. That means you'll need a prescription for colored contacts from your eye doctor to make sure they're right for your eyes, even if you’re only going to use them once.

Medically reviewed on February 23, 2026

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Published on September 20, 2024; Updated on {}

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6 minute read

Key takeaways:

Colored contact lenses come in three tint types—enhancement, opaque, and blending—each offering different kinds of color change
Colored contacts require a prescription, even for non-corrective (plano) lenses, since they’re medical devices
Colored contacts can be used for cosmetic enhancement, sports, or costumes
With a prescription from your eye doctor, ACUVUE^® offers enhancement-tint lenses called 1-Day ACUVUE^® Define^®

How do colored contacts work?

From purple contact lenses that completely change your eye color to contact lenses that simply enhance the color you already have—colored contacts work by placing a tinted lens over your iris (the colored part of your eye) while the center of the lens remains clear so you can see. They typically come in three different tint types, and may either include a prescription to correct your vision, or be “plano,” meaning they don’t correct your vision.

Types of colored contact lenses

Enhancement tint

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

Great for:

People with lighter-colored eyes who want their natural color to “pop” more.

Opaque tint

Often seen in TV shows when a character has an unnatural eye color, these contacts can completely change the color of your iris.

Great for:

Covering the color of dark eyes or completing a costume

Blending tint

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

Great for:

A more subtle color change than fully opaque tints

Visibility tint

Many contact lenses come with a slight tint to them, primarily to help you see the lenses. This tint isn't typically noticeable when the lenses are on your eyes.

Great for:

New contact lens wearers to help with handling

Common uses of colored contact lenses

While colored contact lenses are often thought of as purely cosmetic, there are a few reasons that a person may choose to wear colored contact lenses other than simply wanting a different eye color.

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.

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.

For vision while playing sports

While not very common, some athletes opt for contacts with tints specifically for sports. For instance, amber tinted lenses may help enhance the look of a tennis ball or pickleball.

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 (plano)

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

Steps to safely wear colored contact lenses

Colored contact lenses should be treated no differently than non-colored contact lenses. Even if you’re only going to wear them for a few hours (like at a costume party), for your safety you need to treat them like the medical devices that they are.

See an eye doctor for an eye exam and to discuss the colored contact lenses you’re looking for
With the go-ahead from your eye doctor, you’ll get a prescription for a specific brand of colored contact lenses
Buy the exact brand of colored contact lenses prescribed to you from a credible retailer that verifies your prescription
Follow the contact lens care instructions provided by your eye doctor and/or the contact lens manufacturer
Reach out to your eye doctor with any concerns

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:

Scratching your eyeball
Allergic reactions
Blurry vision
Infection of the eyes
Permanent vision loss or even blindness

Ask your eye doctor about ACUVUE Define

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.

Learn about ACUVUE enhanced contacts

Get started with ACUVUE contact lenses

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Use our locator tool to find a doctor who can fit you with ACUVUE contacts

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FAQs

Frequently asked questions about colored contact lenses

Are colored contacts safe?

FDA cleared contact lenses are generally safe to use when 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 from your prescriber, other retailers or even online. 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.

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.

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

The information provided on this page and across the entire Acuvue.com experience is designed to offer educational insights into eye health, referencing expert advice from reputable medical and government organizations, including the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Optometric Association and the National Eye Institute. While we research, report, and review the content on Acuvue.com and its extended social media to deliver accurate and up-to-date vision, vision care, and vision correction information, we do not make any assurances, and content accessed on or through Acuvue.com and its extended social media is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of any eye conditions or health issues. This brings us to our #1 eye health tip: Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized medical guidance and care.

*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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Common types of prescription colored contact lenses

Key takeaways:

How do colored contacts work?