We get a number of enquiries for the availability of colour contact lenses in multifocal and astigmatic powers.  Unfortunately these powers are not available in colours  “off the shelf”, the reason being ; there are too many variables to manufacture and warehouse.  For example an astigmatic prescription has 3 parts ; Sphere, Cylinder and Axis, there can be hundreds of power combinations for one brand of lenses, so you can imagine what would happen if you added a colour range component too !

In saying this there are a number of options available if you would like to play around with colour lenses and normally wear multifocal or astigmatic contact lenses ;

A simple option is wearing coloured lenses without a prescription and popping your spectacles on over the top.  We refer to these lenses as “cosmetic” lenses or “plano” as  they have no power, they attract GST as they are no longer fall in to the “medical aid” category.  There are plenty of these types of lenses to choose from at Contactlens.com.au, including crazy designs for themed parties etc.

Custom Made Lenses

Gelfex is a contact lens manufacturer that makes custom made colour lenses in Blue, Brown, Aqua and Green, you can choose the colour intensity from light, medium and dark.  These contact lenses can be made for astigmatic and multifocal prescriptions, they need to be ordered from, and fitted by your optical practitioner, they are not available online.

Prescription Power Adjustment

Now we’re going to get a bit technical here.  If you are wearing multifocal prescription contact lenses the  “Add” power can be removed, leaving just the distance correction.

This distance power on its own is readily available in colour lenses. If the distance is a plus power, they are only available in some brands but not all, minus powers are readily available in all ranges ;  Air Optix Colour lenses feature an extensive range in both plus and minus powers.

This prescription adjustment gives you the option to change your look, however if you need to read while wearing distance lenses, such as out at a restaurant to look at the menu or check a theatre program you can use a pair of cheap, fun Reading Magnifiers that can be purchased from various retail stores.   To access the magnifying power that you require, is easy, with your distance contact lenses on the various powers to work out what you feel comfortable with.

As a guide ;

Low add is up to +1.25 magnification

Medium add is +1.50 to +2.00 magnification

High Add is +2.50 magnification

If you are wearing contact lenses with astigmatic powers, these can be adjusted to a sphere power to give you an option of wearing coloured lenses occasionally, however you may find they are not as absolutely as crystal clear as your full prescription.  This can only be done to contact lens astigmatic prescriptions where the cylinder powers are -0.50 / -0.75 and -1.25, anything above these powers will cause too much visual distortion.

Example of an astigmatic prescription  ;

 -2.00 ( sphere power) / -0.50 ( cylinder power) x 20 ( axis)

We recommend that you call us, 1300 750 970, if you would like your prescription adjusted so you can enjoy occasionally using coloured contact lenses.  Or speak with your optical practitioner who might be able to provide you with the extra service of a sample contact lens so you can access your vision with the adjusted prescription, prior to purchasing coloured lenses.

Coloured Lenses Options

At Contactlens.com.au our range features coloured contact lenses with both plus or minus sphere prescription powers. Air Optix colours are by far the most popular, they include 12 stunning colours.  They are monthly lenses so can be worn for 30 days with removal at night and stored in contact lens solution for multiple days in between wears.

One Day colour lenses are convenient for occasional use, they are however they are only available for minus sphere powers – Freshlook One Day Colours have 4 colours available and  Colourvue Trublends One Day have 6 colours to choose from. No storing needed here, simply wear for the day and throw away, enjoy a new pair of lenses every time you’re stepping out !

Another family of lenses that are not strictly colour lenses but are designed to enhance the eyes -  Acuvue Define make the iris larger, more defined, brighter and youthful looking. They are often referred to as circle lenses, there are 5 design options, the product listing on the website gives some guidance to the most suitable design for your eye colour, these lenses are available for minus prescription powers only  and non-prescriptive lenses.  Acuvue Define are convenient daily disposable lenses, if you wear Acuvue Moist lenses with an 8.5 base curve, the Define lenses offer an alternative with extra pizzazz!

Of course choosing which colour of contact lenses to suit you can be tricky online, it’s also very difficult for us to suggest the colour for you as it depends on the base colour of your own eyes and the look you are wanting to achieve.  If you are new to colour lenses the best advice is to visit your optometrist.  The benefit of a visit to your optometrist is two fold, they often have “try on” sets of colour lenses so you can decide for yourself which colours work best for you and the optometrist can access which brand of colour contact lenses fit correctly, ensuring your vision, comfort and enjoyment !

Coloured contact lenses with or without prescription powers can be purchased online at Contactlens.com.au.  If you order prior to 12noon Monday to Friday your order will be dispatch from the warehouse on the same day, deliveries are usually within 3 business days.