When you want to improve your appearance without changing your sight you can do it with cosmetic contact lenses. The lenses are normal contacts so they're also available with vision correction if needed. But unlike clear lenses, cosmetic contact lenses let you either accent your natural eye color or get a new one.

Most contact lenses have at least a small amount of tint to make them easier to see when handled. But the amount of tint is so little that it doesn't affect the color of your eyes. However, cosmetic contact lenses have a sufficient amount of tint to either complement your own color or change it.

Cosmetic contact lenses which add to your natural eye color are enhancement lenses. This type of lens is usually meant for light color eyes and consists of a single tint layer. Even thought the tint covers the entire lens, it's semi-transparent and deepens your eye color without coloring your vision.

To change your eye color you need cosmetic contact lenses with an opaque tint. The tint covers your iris so your eyes appear to be the color of the lens. And because the tint isn't transparent, the center of the lens over your pupil is left uncolored. Opaque contact lenses can have either a single color tint or multiple colors and layers to give greater depth and recreate the look of an iris.

Most cosmetic contact lenses are used just like uncolored lenses but there are also special situation types. One kind is used for theatric effect such as in movies or for costume parties. Other cosmetic lenses are used to restore the appearance of a damaged eye or as protection after eye surgery.

But however cosmetic contact lenses are used, they have one thing in common. A prescription is required to buy them. Even contacts with non-corrective lenses require a proper fit to guard against possible eye health problems.