Prescription colored contacts are available for consumers who seek both vision correction and an aesthetic change to their eye color. These specialized lenses combine the corrective power of standard contact lenses with a tinted design layer, allowing individuals to modify their appearance while achieving clear vision. Whether a person requires vision correction for nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, or simply desires a purely cosmetic change, the process for obtaining colored contacts remains regulated and requires professional oversight.
The Legal Requirement for All Contact Lenses
All contact lenses, regardless of whether they correct vision or are purely cosmetic (plano lenses), are classified as Class II or Class III medical devices by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This classification exists because the lenses rest directly on the surface of the eye, which is a delicate biological structure. Consequently, federal law mandates that a valid prescription is required for the sale of all contact lenses.
The requirement for a prescription is not solely about vision correction but primarily focuses on eye health and safety. In the United States, the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act (FCLCA), enacted in 2003, formalized the sale of contact lenses only with a valid prescription. This regulation makes it illegal for any retailer to sell contact lenses without verifying a consumer’s prescription.
The prescription requirement applies even to non-corrective colored contacts, which are sometimes misleadingly called “non-prescription” lenses. The law ensures that every consumer receives a lens with specific parameters designed for their individual eye. Without a professional fitting, improperly sized lenses can create significant health risks.
The Essential Eye Exam and Fitting Process
The process for obtaining colored contacts begins with a comprehensive eye examination followed by a specialized contact lens fitting. The initial exam assesses the overall health of the eye and determines the necessary refractive power for vision correction. The subsequent fitting is a distinct procedure that measures the eye’s physical characteristics to ensure the lens fits properly.
During the fitting, an eye care professional uses instruments like a keratometer or corneal topographer to measure the curvature of the cornea. This measurement is translated into the lens’s base curve, a specification that dictates how the lens rests on the eye. The diameter of the cornea and the pupil size are also measured to ensure the contact lens covers the eye correctly and that the clear central zone of the colored lens aligns with the pupil.
Following the measurements, the patient is provided with trial lenses, even if they have zero vision correction, to evaluate comfort and fit. The doctor observes the lens movement on the eye, checking to see that it is not too tight or too loose, which could cause irritation or restrict oxygen flow. A follow-up appointment is often scheduled after a few days of wear to confirm that the eyes are responding well before the final prescription, which includes the brand, power, base curve, and diameter, is issued.
Understanding Color Contact Lens Options
Colored contact lenses are designed with various tint opacities to achieve different aesthetic results. The most subtle option is the visibility tint, which is usually a faint blue or green color added to the lens material. This tint does not change the eye’s natural color but serves only to make the lens easier to see during insertion, removal, or if dropped.
A step up in color intensity is the enhancement tint, which is translucent and designed to subtly intensify the natural color of light-colored eyes. These tints work by deepening the shade of a person’s existing iris color, such as turning a light blue eye into a more vibrant aqua. Enhancement tints are semi-transparent and allow some of the natural eye color to show through, creating a blended effect.
For a complete color transformation, especially for individuals with dark eyes, opaque tints are used. These lenses use a solid, non-transparent layer of color that fully covers the natural iris, allowing for a dramatic change, such as turning dark brown eyes to light blue or violet. The coloration is applied in a pattern of tiny dots, lines, and shapes to mimic the natural texture of the iris, making the final look appear more realistic.
Safety Risks of Non-Prescription Use
Obtaining colored contacts without a valid prescription from unauthorized sources poses severe health hazards. These illegally sold lenses are often poorly manufactured and do not adhere to the precise measurements required for a safe fit. Lenses that are not specifically sized for the eye can cause corneal abrasions, which are painful scratches on the eye’s clear outer layer.
A poorly fitting lens can also severely reduce the amount of oxygen reaching the cornea, leading to hypoxia and swelling. This deprivation, combined with the material quality of unregulated lenses, increases the risk of severe eye infections like keratitis. These infections can progress rapidly, potentially causing corneal ulcers, permanent scarring, and even blindness if not treated promptly.
Furthermore, unauthorized lenses may be manufactured in non-sterile environments, increasing the chance of bacterial or fungal contamination. Sharing contacts or improper hygiene, common with decorative lenses purchased for single events, multiplies the risk of transmitting dangerous pathogens. The strict regulatory process and prescription requirement are in place to mitigate these serious, vision-threatening risks.