Yes, coloured contact lenses are available for myopia. Prescription coloured contacts correct short-sightedness with a minus (-) power lens while changing or enhancing your eye colour at the same time. Most standard soft coloured lenses cover myopia prescriptions from -0.50 to -6.00 dioptres, with some brands extending to -8.00 or beyond with specialist fitting.
If you are short-sighted and have been wanting to try coloured contact lenses, this guide explains which prescription ranges are covered, which wearing schedules are available, and what to do if your myopia is on the higher end of the scale.
Can Short-Sighted People Wear Coloured Contact Lenses?
The short answer is yes, and for most myopia prescriptions in the UK, the range of options is broader than many short-sighted wearers expect. Coloured contact lenses for myopia work on exactly the same optical principle as clear prescription lenses, with one addition: a tinted pigment layer printed around the iris zone of the lens.
How prescription coloured contacts correct myopia
A prescription coloured lens combines two functions in a single lens. The minus power correction is built into the lens material itself, refracting light onto the retina in the same way a clear prescription contact does. The colour tint occupies the outer iris zone, while the central zone remains clear to allow unobstructed vision through the pupil. Being short-sighted does not affect how the colour element works or looks.
Prescription coloured vs plano coloured lenses
Plano lenses carry a power of 0.00 and are purely cosmetic. They change eye colour without correcting vision. Prescription coloured lenses include your myopia correction and do both simultaneously. For short-sighted wearers, plano coloured lenses are not a substitute for your prescription contacts. If you want coloured lenses that also let you see clearly at distance, you need prescription coloured contacts, not plano.
See more: Types of Contact Lenses: A Complete Guide to Finding Your Perfect Fit
What Myopia Prescriptions Are Covered by Coloured Contact Lenses?
This is the question most short-sighted wearers have before buying, and it is one that almost no retailer addresses clearly. The availability of coloured contacts varies meaningfully depending on the strength of your prescription, and understanding where the thresholds sit helps you shop with confidence.
Power ranges and availability
The table below shows how prescription range affects coloured contact lens availability in the UK, including what BellaLense carries across its collections.
|
Prescription range |
Myopia level |
Coloured lens availability |
BellaLense options |
|
-0.50 to -4.00 |
Mild |
Wide – most coloured lenses available |
Full Elite, Diamond, Glow, Natural, Contour, Daily collections |
|
-4.25 to -6.00 |
Moderate |
Good – most standard coloured lenses available |
Most collections; check product page for specific powers |
|
-6.25 to -8.00 |
High |
Limited but available off the shelf |
Selected collections; confirm power at checkout |
|
-8.25 to -12.00 |
Very high |
Very limited off-shelf; specialist fitting advised |
Consult a UK optician for custom tinted options |
|
Above -12.00 |
Extreme |
Specialist or custom lenses required |
Not available as standard coloured lenses |
For the majority of short-sighted people in the UK, whose prescription falls between -0.50 and -6.00, the range of available coloured contact lenses is substantial. It is only at higher powers that selection narrows noticeably.
Why higher prescriptions have fewer coloured options
Coloured contact lenses require a pigment layer to be embedded or printed into the lens material. As minus power increases, the lens edges become thicker, which adds complexity to achieving consistent colour quality and optical clarity simultaneously. This manufacturing constraint is why the off-the-shelf range for coloured lenses is narrower than for clear single-vision lenses, particularly beyond -6.00.
See more: How to Read a Contact Lens Prescription: 15 Real Examples Explained
Daily vs Monthly Coloured Contact Lenses for Myopia
Both wearing schedules are available in prescription coloured lenses for myopia, and the right choice depends on how often you plan to wear them and whether you already have an established lens care routine.
Daily coloured contacts for myopia
Daily disposable coloured contacts are a fresh sterile pair each day, discarded after a single use. There is no cleaning or storage routine involved. For short-sighted wearers who want to wear coloured contacts occasionally – for evenings out, events, or simply to try the look before committing – daily coloured lenses are the most practical entry point. BellaLense's Daily Collection includes options in myopia prescriptions and is ideal for wearers who prefer not to manage a monthly lens care routine.
Monthly coloured contacts for myopia
Monthly coloured lenses are worn daily for up to 30 days, removed each night, cleaned, and stored in fresh solution. They are more cost-effective for wearers who plan to wear coloured contacts as their primary daily lens. BellaLense's Elite, Diamond, Glow, Natural, and Contour collections are all three-monthly lenses covering a range of minus powers. For short-sighted wearers already comfortable with a lens care routine, these collections offer the widest variety of colours and styles.
Which schedule suits myopia wearers?
If your prescription is stable and you wear contacts every day, a monthly or three-monthly coloured lens is more economical. If you are new to coloured lenses or want flexibility, starting with a daily coloured lens lets you test the colour and comfort before committing to a longer-replacement lens. Both formats correct myopia equally well; the difference is entirely about lifestyle and usage frequency.
Browse prescription coloured contact lenses at BellaLense with free UK express delivery
Can You Get Coloured Contact Lenses with High Myopia?
For wearers with prescriptions of -6.00 or above, the question is not whether coloured contacts exist but which ones are realistically accessible and what approach to take.
What counts as high myopia and why it narrows options
High myopia is generally defined as -6.00D or above. At this level and beyond, the lens material required for correction becomes thicker at the edges, which limits how many coloured lenses are manufactured to include those powers as standard. This is not a clinical restriction – it is a commercial and manufacturing one. Brands produce coloured lenses in the powers that cover the largest proportion of wearers, which means higher powers are stocked less widely.
Options available for high myopia coloured contacts
For prescriptions between -6.25 and -8.00, selected off-the-shelf coloured contact lenses are available. BellaLense's prescription range includes powers in this bracket within certain collections; the product page will confirm availability for your specific power combination. For prescriptions above -8.00, a specialist contact lens fitting with a UK-registered optician is the most reliable route. Some opticians work with custom tinted lens manufacturers who can produce coloured lenses in a wider range of high minus powers than those available off the shelf.
See more: Contact Lenses for Long Sightedness: Types, Options & Coloured Lenses
What to Expect When Ordering Coloured Contacts for Myopia in the UK
Understanding the ordering process removes the most common points of confusion for short-sighted wearers buying coloured contacts for the first time.
You need a contact lens prescription, not a glasses prescription
In the UK, all contact lenses including cosmetic coloured lenses are classified as medical devices under MHRA regulations and require a valid contact lens prescription. Your glasses prescription is not interchangeable with a contact lens prescription. A contact lens fitting additionally measures base curve and diameter to ensure the lens sits correctly on your cornea. If you only have a glasses prescription, book a contact lens fitting with a UK-registered optician before ordering.
Choosing between enhancement and opaque tints
Enhancement tints are semi-transparent and intensify your natural eye colour without completely covering it. They work best on lighter-coloured eyes and tend to produce the most natural-looking results. Opaque tints are solid and cover the iris completely, making them the only effective option for darker eyes that want a dramatic colour change. Both are available with myopia correction. For short-sighted wearers trying coloured lenses for the first time, enhancement tints are often an easier transition because their optical performance and feel closely resembles clear prescription lenses.
Reading your prescription when ordering
When ordering online, the SPH value on your contact lens prescription is your myopia power and will appear as a minus number such as -2.50 or -4.75. Enter this value at checkout. You must also match the base curve (BC) and diameter (DIA) from your prescription rather than substituting values from a different lens brand. Using incorrect parameters increases the risk of poor fit and discomfort.
Find your prescription in BellaLense's coloured contact lens range – free UK express delivery
Frequently Asked Questions About Coloured Contact Lenses for Myopia
Can I get coloured contact lenses if I am short-sighted?
Yes. Prescription coloured contact lenses for myopia correct your short-sightedness while changing or enhancing your eye colour. They are available in daily and monthly wearing schedules across a wide range of minus powers.
What is the highest myopia prescription available in coloured contacts?
Most standard soft coloured contacts cover prescriptions up to -6.00D. Selected brands extend to -8.00D. Above that, a specialist contact lens fitting and custom tinted lenses from a UK optician are the appropriate route.
Do prescription coloured contacts correct vision as well as clear lenses?
Yes. The vision correction works identically to a clear prescription lens. The colour tint is confined to the iris zone; the central zone through which you see remains fully transparent and optically unchanged.
Do I need a separate prescription for coloured contact lenses?
You need a contact lens prescription, not a glasses prescription. If you already have a current one, the same power, base curve, and diameter values apply to coloured lenses. An expired prescription requires a new contact lens check before ordering.
Can I get daily coloured contacts for myopia?
Yes. Daily disposable coloured contact lenses are available in myopia prescriptions. BellaLense's Daily Collection includes options for short-sighted wearers and is particularly well-suited to occasional or first-time coloured lens wear.
Being short-sighted is not a barrier to wearing coloured contact lenses. For mild and moderate myopia, the range is broad and accessible. For higher prescriptions, options narrow but do not disappear. The essential first step for any short-sighted wearer is a valid contact lens prescription from a UK-registered optician. Once that is in hand, BellaLense offers a full range of prescription coloured contacts 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. Always consult a UK-registered optician before purchasing contact lenses. Contact lenses are medical devices; your eye health should always come first.
