What Is the Highest Prescription for Contact Lenses? UK Guide

There is no single highest prescription for contact lenses. Standard soft lenses are typically available up to -12.00 dioptres for myopia and +8.00 dioptres for hyperopia. Extended range soft lenses can reach -20.00 dioptres, and rigid gas-permeable or scleral lenses can correct prescriptions beyond -30.00 dioptres. Custom-made lenses are available for even higher powers.

If you have a strong prescription and are wondering whether contact lenses are still an option, the answer is almost certainly yes. The limits are higher than most people expect. This guide explains the limits by lens type, what counts as high, and whether coloured contacts are accessible at stronger prescriptions.

What Is the Highest Prescription for Contact Lenses?

The direct answer to this question depends on which type of contact lens you are asking about. There is no single upper limit that applies across the board, which is why this question deserves a breakdown rather than a single number.

There is no single limit – it depends on the lens type

Standard soft lenses have a lower upper limit than extended range lenses, which are exceeded by rigid gas-permeable and scleral lenses that can be custom-produced for almost any refractive error. The question is not whether contacts can correct your prescription, but which type is most appropriate.

Prescription limits by lens type

The table below sets out the prescription ranges available by lens format in the UK.

Most mild to moderate prescriptions fall within the standard soft lens range. Extended range lenses cover high myopia above -12.00D, and specialist lenses handle the rest. Very few prescriptions fall entirely outside what contact lens technology can address.

See more: How to Read a Contact Lens Prescription: 15 Real Examples Explained

What Counts as a High Prescription for Contact Lenses?

Most people who search this question are wondering whether their own prescription is too strong, or where the thresholds actually sit. The table below clarifies what optometrists typically mean by mild, moderate, high, and very high for each vision condition.

Prescription thresholds by vision condition

The majority of contact lens wearers fall within the mild to moderate categories. Even those with high prescriptions in the -6.00 to -12.00D range have access to a broad selection of standard monthly and two-weekly soft lenses. It is only above -12.00D that the choice narrows and specialist fitting becomes necessary.

Why your glasses prescription differs from your contact lens prescription

Contact lenses sit directly on the cornea, while glasses sit several millimetres away. This distance (vertex distance) affects the optical correction needed. For higher prescriptions – typically above -4.00D or +4.00D – the numbers can differ meaningfully between glasses and contact lens prescriptions, which is why a separate contact lens prescription is required.

Can You Get Contact Lenses for Very High Prescriptions?

For people with prescriptions above -6.00D or +5.00D, the concern about whether contacts are strong enough is common. The reality is more reassuring than most expect.

Standard options for prescriptions up to -12.00D

For myopia up to -12.00 dioptres, a wide range of standard monthly and two-weekly soft lenses are available from mainstream UK brands including Biofinity, Air Optix, and PureVision. Daily disposables typically reach -10.00 to -12.00D depending on the brand. These can be fitted and ordered through any UK-registered optician or online retailer.

Extended range options for prescriptions up to -20.00D

For myopia between -12.25 and -20.00 dioptres, extended range soft lenses such as Biofinity XR and Proclear Toric XR are the appropriate choice. These require fitting by an experienced contact lens practitioner, as the lens parameters are more complex. UK contact lens specialist Tina Patel (ABDO) notes that Biofinity XR and Proclear cater for prescriptions up to -20.00D, including toric variants for combined myopia and astigmatism.

Specialist options for prescriptions above -20.00D

For prescriptions above -20.00 dioptres, rigid gas-permeable, scleral, and custom vial lenses are the appropriate route. These are fitted through specialist clinics rather than standard high-street opticians. If you have previously been told your prescription is too strong for contacts, a referral to a contact lens specialist is worth pursuing.

See more: Coloured Contact Lenses for Myopia: Can Short-Sighted Wearers Get Them?

Can You Get Coloured Contact Lenses with a High Prescription?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions among people with stronger prescriptions who want to try coloured contacts. The honest answer is yes for the majority of prescriptions, though the available range is narrower than for clear lenses.

Prescription ranges in coloured contacts

Prescription coloured contact lenses are available for both myopia and hyperopia, but the power range is narrower than for clear soft lenses. Standard prescription coloured lenses typically cover myopia from -0.50 to -6.00 dioptres, with some collections extending to -8.00 or -10.00 dioptres. For hyperopia, coloured prescription options are generally available from +0.50 to +4.00 or +6.00 dioptres depending on the collection and brand.

Why coloured contacts have a narrower range

The pigment layer in a coloured lens adds manufacturing complexity. At higher minus or plus powers, the lens edges become thicker, which can interfere with colour printing and affect comfort and oxygen flow. This is why the prescription range for coloured lenses is narrower than for clear single-vision lenses.

Options for prescriptions outside the coloured lens range

If your prescription is above the standard coloured contact range, two practical approaches are available: check specialist coloured lens brands for your specific power, or wear clear prescription lenses daily and use plano coloured lenses for specific occasions. For prescription coloured contact lenses within the standard range, BellaLense's Elite, Diamond, Glow, Natural, Contour, and Daily collections offer a broad selection of minus and plus powers.

High Prescription Contact Lenses in the UK: Getting Fitted

Understanding the prescription limits is one thing. Knowing how to access the right lens type in the UK is equally important.

NHS vs private routes for high prescriptions

Standard contact lens fittings are available through NHS-registered and private opticians. For prescriptions above -12.00 dioptres, or for those requiring RGP or scleral lenses, a specialist practitioner is required. These work within private clinics or NHS hospital eye services. Specialist lens fitting typically includes corneal topography mapping and multiple trial appointments.

What to bring to a high prescription fitting

Bring your most recent glasses and contact lens prescriptions, and a list of any eye conditions or previous eye surgery. The optometrist will assess corneal curvature and tear film quality alongside your prescription values. For very high prescriptions, patience with the fitting process pays off – the difference between a well-fitted and a poorly fitted specialist lens at high power is significant.

See more: Contact Lenses for Long Sightedness: Types, Options and Coloured Lenses

Frequently Asked Questions

The questions below cover what UK wearers with strong prescriptions search most often.

What is the highest prescription available in standard soft contact lenses?

Standard soft lenses are typically available up to -12.00 dioptres for myopia and +8.00 for hyperopia. Extended range monthly soft lenses such as Biofinity XR extend to -20.00 dioptres. Above that, RGP or scleral lenses are the appropriate option.

Can you get contacts with a -10 or -12 prescription in the UK?

Yes. Prescriptions of -10.00 to -12.00 dioptres fall within the range of standard and extended range monthly soft contact lenses available from UK opticians and regulated online retailers with a valid contact lens prescription.

What prescription is too strong for contact lenses?

No prescription is definitively too strong. Standard soft lenses reach -12.00D, extended range reaches -20.00D, and RGP and scleral lenses can correct beyond -30.00D. Very high prescriptions require specialist fitting rather than off-the-shelf options.

Can I get coloured contact lenses with a high prescription?

Prescription coloured lenses are available for myopia to approximately -8.00 to -10.00 dioptres and hyperopia to approximately +6.00 dioptres in some collections. Above these ranges, plano coloured lenses worn alongside clear prescription contacts is a practical alternative for many wearers.

Do coloured contacts need a different prescription than clear lenses?

The sphere power, base curve, and diameter values are the same. However, coloured lenses from a different brand may have different fitting parameters. A contact lens professional should confirm suitability if you are switching between clear and coloured lens brands.

The highest prescription for contact lenses is much higher than most people expect. Standard soft lenses cover the majority of prescriptions, extended range lenses bridge the gap to -20.00D, and specialist lenses handle the rest. Coloured contacts remain accessible across the most common prescription strengths. Whatever your prescription, start with a current assessment from a UK-registered optician.

Browse BellaLense's full range of coloured contact lenses – prescription and plano options available with free UK express delivery.

See more: Are Contact Lenses Safe? Expert Advice on Risks, Benefits and Proper Care

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Lens suitability depends on individual eye health and prescription measurements. Always obtain a current contact lens prescription from a UK-registered optician before purchasing.