Can You Get Coloured Prescription Contact Lenses? The Complete Guide

Yes, you can get coloured prescription contact lenses. They are available for short-sightedness (myopia), long-sightedness (hyperopia), and in some cases astigmatism. You will need a valid contact lens prescription from a registered optician. Coloured prescription lenses correct your vision while changing your eye colour at the same time.

A lot of people ask can you get coloured prescription contact lenses if you already rely on vision correction, and the assumption is often that the answer is no. In reality, most people with a standard prescription have a solid range of options available to them. This guide covers everything you need to know, from how coloured prescription contact lenses work to how to buy them safely.

What Are Coloured Prescription Contact Lenses?

Coloured prescription contact lenses function identically to standard corrective lenses, with one addition: a tinted layer built into the lens material that alters the appearance of your iris. The centre of the lens stays clear so your pupil is never obstructed and your vision remains sharp throughout the day.

Before shopping for coloured prescription contact lenses, it helps to understand the two main tint types available.

Type	Effect	Best for	Available with prescription?
Enhancement tint	Subtly deepens and defines your natural colour	Light eyes (blue, green, grey)	Yes
Opaque colour tint	Fully changes your eye colour	Dark and light eyes	Yes

Enhancement tints are partially transparent, adding depth without masking the underlying iris colour. They work best on lighter eyes. Opaque tints use a solid colour layer and are the only effective option for people with dark brown eyes wanting a noticeable change. Both tint types are available across a wide range of prescription powers, so your vision correction needs alone will not limit which style you can wear.

Who Can Get Coloured Prescription Contact Lenses?

If you are wondering can you get coloured prescription contact lenses with your specific vision condition, the answer in most cases is yes. Availability varies by prescription type, but options exist across all three main correction categories.

Myopia (short-sightedness): People who are short-sighted have the widest selection of coloured prescription contact lenses available. Most brands cover powers from around -0.50 to -8.00, with some extending beyond that range. If your prescription sits within standard boundaries, you will have a good variety of colours, brands, and wearing schedules to choose from.

Hyperopia (long-sightedness): Coloured prescription contact lenses for plus-power prescriptions exist in both daily and monthly formats, though the selection of colours and brands is narrower than for myopia. You can browse Coloured Prescription Lenses at Bella Lense to check which plus-power options are currently available.

Astigmatism: Getting coloured prescription contact lenses with astigmatism is possible but more limited. Toric coloured lenses are produced by fewer brands and cover a smaller range of cylinder values. If your prescription includes a cylinder value, speak to your optician before ordering to confirm which toric coloured options are compatible with your measurements.

Do You Need a Prescription to Buy Coloured Contact Lenses in the UK?

In the UK, all contact lenses including purely cosmetic ones with no corrective power are classified as medical devices. This means they should only be supplied by or under the supervision of a registered optician, regardless of whether you need vision correction.

If you need coloured prescription contact lenses for vision correction, a valid prescription is required before purchase. If you have perfect vision and want coloured lenses purely for cosmetic purposes, you can order plano lenses at power 0.00, but you should still have a contact lens fitting on record to confirm the base curve and diameter suit your eyes.

Buying lenses from unregistered sellers, market stalls, or non-compliant websites carries a real risk of eye infection and corneal damage. When purchasing coloured prescription contact lenses online, always verify the retailer is a registered UK supplier and that the packaging clearly shows the brand name, power, base curve, and expiry date.

How to Get Coloured Prescription Contact Lenses: Step by Step

The process of getting coloured prescription contact lenses is simpler than most people expect and typically takes less than a week from fitting to delivery.

Book a contact lens fitting with a registered optician. If you already wear lenses, check your prescription is still valid. Most UK contact lens prescriptions expire after one to two years.
Confirm your prescription details including sphere power, base curve, and diameter. If you have astigmatism, you will also need your cylinder and axis values.
Choose your lens type and colour from a registered UK supplier. Decide whether daily or monthly coloured prescription contact lenses suit your wearing habits better.
Place your order with your prescription details to hand. A reputable retailer will ask for these before dispatching.

For those with a current prescription already in hand, you can explore the full range at Bella Lenses and filter by power to find compatible coloured prescription lenses right away.

Daily vs Monthly Coloured Prescription Contact Lenses

Once you have confirmed you can get coloured prescription contact lenses in your power, the next decision is wearing schedule. Both formats are available across most prescription ranges and suit different lifestyles.

	Daily	Monthly
Convenience	High – no cleaning required	Moderate – requires solution and case
Cost per wear	Higher	Lower over time
Colour range	Moderate	Wider across most brands
Best for	Occasional wear, events	Regular or daily wear

Daily coloured prescription contact lenses are the more hygienic option and well suited to people who plan to wear them occasionally, such as for events or weekends. Monthly coloured prescription contact lenses tend to offer a broader colour selection and work out more cost-effective for regular wearers. Neither format requires a different prescription to your usual lenses, so switching between the two is straightforward.

Buying Safely: What to Check Before You Order Coloured Prescription Contact Lenses

Because coloured prescription contact lenses are medical devices, running a quick check before completing any online purchase is worth the effort. Your prescription should be current and issued by a registered optician. The retailer should be a UK-registered supplier rather than an unregulated overseas marketplace. Confirm the lens base curve on your order matches what is stated on your prescription, and make sure you have the correct lens care solution if ordering monthly lenses.

Never purchase coloured prescription contact lenses without a valid fitting, and never share lenses with anyone else. Even a single use of another person’s lens can transfer bacteria and cause a serious eye infection.

Getting the Look You Want Safely

So, can you get coloured prescription contact lenses in the UK? The answer for most people is a straightforward yes. Whether you need correction for myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism, there are options designed to suit your needs. Start with a valid fitting from a registered optician, choose a reputable UK supplier, and you can achieve the look you want without compromising your vision.