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Colored contact lensesallow a person to change or enhance, his or her eye color. Until 2005, getting colored contact lenses did not require a prescription. However, the purchase of a color contact lens currently requires a prescription due to numerous incidents of adverse effects, and the potential for serious eye injury. These adverse events have been caused by poor fit, defective manufacturing, misuse, and the transfer of of harmful bacteria.

Therefore, the color contact lens is no longer classified as an unregulated cosmetic device. They are regulated by the FDA as medical devices regardless of whether or not the lenses have any vision correction. Dealers that sell the color contact lens in the U.S. without requiring a prescription are likely doing so in violation of the law.

Because of the risk of infection, cosmetic contact lenses shouldn't be swapped between friends, or used by children without proper professional advice. Cosmetic contact lenses need to be cleaned and maintained with the same diligence and care as corrective contact lenses, including proper disinfection, regular cleaning, and careful storage between use.

As with corrective contacts, coloured contacts are available in several varieties from twenty-four hour lenses to monthly lenses. Some coloured contact lenses provide additional protection against harmful ultraviolet radiation from sun. Colored lenses vary from typical corrective vision lenses in the addition of tints to the region of the contacts overlaying the iris. The iris is the naturally colored, circular part of the eye surrounding the dark pupil where light enters. Four different types of tints are added.

A "visibility tint" makes the contact more visible for easier insertion and removal. Visibility tints do not alter the eye color. Somewhat more pronounced in color, "enhancement tints" are designed to enhance the natural color of the iris. Enhancement tints are often used by people with lighter colored irises who wish to enhance their natural color.

The "color tints" are intense tints designed to dramatically alter the color of the iris. Colored tint lenses are used for completely changing a person's eye color, as a someone might change her hair color. These lenses are also commonly used with holiday theatrical costumes, Halloween costumes, and sporting-event fan costumes.

The last category of lens tints, the "light-filtering tints". These make objects of certain colors stand-out in bright light. These lenses are employed much like vision-enhancing sunglasses.

Whether a someone's purpose for using contacts is sheerlycosmetic, purely medical, or a mix of both, receiving a proper examination and prescription from a licensed professional is a critical first-step to ensuring long-term enjoyment of the product without risking damage to the eye.