Are you bothered by having two different colored eyes, a noticeable scar, or a cloudy appearance in one eye? Tinted contact lenses offer a safe, non-surgical way to create a natural, balanced look, and improve your confidence in every interaction. At Insight Vision Center Optometry in Costa Mesa, we help patients across Orange County achieve the appearance and comfort they deserve with medically supervised, custom cosmetic contact lens solutions.

Understanding Tinted Contact Lenses

What Are Tinted Contact Lenses?

Tinted contact lenses, sometimes called prosthetic contact lenses when used for medical or cosmetic correction, are custom-designed to alter the color or appearance of the eye. These lenses are carefully colored and crafted to:

Match the appearance of your natural iris

Mask scars, cloudiness, or pupil irregularities

Reduce unwanted glare or light sensitivity

Improve the cosmetic appearance of a blind, disfigured, or differently colored eye

With options ranging from subtle enhancement to fully custom hand-painted lenses, patients can achieve results that look and feel natural, often indistinguishable at normal viewing distances.

Custom Soft Contact Lenses for High-Power Prescriptions

Heterochromia (Different-Colored Eyes)

Many people are born with, or develop, heterochromia, where the two eyes are different colors. While usually harmless, this can cause self-consciousness or unwanted attention. Tinted lenses allow both eyes to appear the same color, helping you feel more comfortable in social and professional situations.

Eye Injuries, Surgery, or Scarring

Injuries, surgeries, or diseases can leave an eye with a scarred, cloudy, or white appearance. A prosthetic lens can cover these irregularities with a realistic iris color and pattern, making the affected eye look more like the healthy one.

Iris and Pupil Abnormalities

Some patients have conditions like aniridia (partial or complete absence of the iris), coloboma (iris defect), or anisocoria (unequal pupils) that create a visibly unusual or asymmetrical appearance. Custom lenses can mask these differences and, if needed, filter out excess light to make the eye more comfortable.

Light Sensitivity (Photophobia)

For people with extreme sensitivity to light, such as those with albinism, certain retinal disorders, or traumatic iris damage, tinted lenses can reduce discomfort by filtering light entering the eye, much like sunglasses.

Blind or Disfigured Eyes

If an eye has very poor or no vision and has become hazy, shrunken, or discolored, a prosthetic lens can restore a natural appearance. These lenses are also used to cover a white or misshapen pupil with a hand-painted iris and black pupil, matching the other eye for a normal look.

Double Vision or Amblyopia Management

For patients with persistent double vision, a custom lens with an opaque center can be used to block the extra image and match the healthy eye. In children with amblyopia (lazy eye), an opaque lens on the strong eye encourages the weak eye to develop, while providing a less noticeable alternative to a patch.

Anyone Seeking Non-Surgical Cosmetic Correction

Whether you simply want to improve symmetry, boost your confidence, or avoid surgery, prosthetic contact lenses offer a flexible, reversible option to alter the look of your eyes safely and comfortably.

Types of Tinted Contact Lenses

Enhancement Tints

Enhancement tint lenses are lightly colored and translucent, designed to intensify or subtly change your natural eye color. These are ideal for those seeking a mild change or to enhance a faint color difference. The natural iris pattern remains visible, so results are subtle and best for mild mismatches.

Opaque Color Lenses

Opaque color lenses use printed patterns or dot-matrix technology to completely mask the underlying iris. These are recommended when you need to cover a dark iris, scars, or achieve full color uniformity, such as for heterochromia or a scarred eye. They come in standard colors, but can be custom-made for a closer match.

Custom Hand-Painted Lenses

For complex cases or highly unique iris patterns, custom hand-painted lenses are made by skilled artists at specialized labs. Every detail, color gradients, flecks, limbal rings, is painted to closely resemble the other eye. These lenses are often used when the goal is to match an eye as precisely as possible.

Functional and Cosmetic Adaptations

ome lenses are designed with a black pupil to cover a white or disfigured pupil, or with a special opaque center for vision occlusion in double vision or amblyopia therapy. For patients with light sensitivity, lenses can be tinted darker or feature specific filter colors to reduce glare and discomfort.

The Process: What to Expect

Professional Assessment and Measurements

Your journey begins with a comprehensive eye exam at our Costa Mesa office. We assess your eye health, vision, iris and pupil size, and discuss your appearance goals. Accurate measurements and high-quality photos are often taken to ensure a natural match.

Choosing the Right Lens

For custom and prosthetic lenses, a trial fitting may be performed with clear or standard-tint lenses to perfect the size and shape. For unique color matches, photos or digital images of your natural eye are sent to the lab. Some labs even send sample photos or trial lenses before the final version is made.

Education and Lens Care

You will receive detailed instruction on lens handling, insertion and removal, and cleaning routines. Proper care is essential for preventing infection and maximizing lens life. Only FDA-approved solutions and safe cleaning techniques are used, and we provide ongoing support and follow-up care.

Follow-Up and Adjustments

After your lenses arrive, a follow-up visit ensures the lenses fit well, match your desired appearance, and do not affect your eye health. Our team monitors your comfort and vision, and makes adjustments as needed to guarantee the best possible outcome.

Cosmetic, Emotional, and Functional Improvements

Tinted contacts can be life-changing, not just in how you look, but how you feel:

Cosmetic Balance

Both eyes appear similar, hiding differences that once caused self-consciousness.

Emotional Boost

Many patients find their confidence, comfort, and willingness to engage with others dramatically improves.

Light Sensitivity Relief

For patients with photophobia, tinted lenses can reduce light sensitivity, although many patients still benefit from sunglasses in very bright conditions.

Daily Function

Lenses used for double vision, amblyopia, or to cover a blind eye restore normal appearance and help patients avoid uncomfortable social situations or questions.

No Surgery Required

These lenses provide a safe, reversible alternative to surgery. If you wish to stop using them, you simply discontinue wear.

Safety, Regulations, and Best Practices

Why Professional Fitting Matters

Contact lenses are medical devices, and must be prescribed and fit by a licensed eye care professional, even if you don’t need vision correction. Unauthorized or over-the-counter lenses (such as those sold at costume shops or beauty stores) can be dangerous, causing infections, injuries, or even permanent vision loss.

At Insight Vision Center Optometry, our doctors use only reputable, FDA-approved labs for custom lenses. Your health and safety always come first.

The Risks of Unauthorized Lenses

Lenses bought without a prescription often do not fit correctly, may be made from unsafe materials, or could be contaminated. Studies have found high rates of bacterial contamination in illegally sold cosmetic contacts.

Proper Lens Care and Hygiene

Our team will show you how to clean and store your lenses, and we’ll recommend approved cleaning solutions. You’ll be instructed to never use tap water or saliva on your lenses, and to replace lenses according to the schedule provided.

Regular follow-up exams help ensure your eyes remain healthy and comfortable with continued lens use.

The Highest Rated Eye Care Center In Orange County

What Our Patients are Saying

“Insight vision has great customer service staff n the best optometrist Ive ever seen
Dr Nathan Schramm spends as much time as needed n has the highest advanced technology. I highly recommend this practice for anyone with any vision problem.”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Nancy B.

“Best optometrist I have ever visited. They are experts with my eye condition (keratoconus) all staff super friendly. And dr Schramm is very professional and passionate to get you the best vision possible. I absolutely recommend insight vision center optometry.”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Emmanuel B.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the lenses look exactly like my natural eye?

With modern opaque and hand-painted lenses, results can be extremely lifelike, especially at conversational distance. Your doctor will help set realistic expectations and guide you toward the best possible match.

Do I need a prescription even if the lenses don’t correct vision?

Yes. All contacts, even purely cosmetic ones, require a prescription and professional fitting in the United States for your safety.

How long do these lenses last?

Disposable colored contacts are available in daily, bi-weekly, or monthly replacement schedules, depending on the brand, while custom soft prosthetic lenses are generally replaced every 6–12 months (rigid lenses may last longer).

Is the process reversible?

Absolutely. Tinted contacts are completely non-permanent. If you decide to stop wearing them or change your look, simply discontinue use.

Can children wear tinted contacts?

Yes, under a doctor’s supervision. Children with amblyopia or cosmetic concerns can safely use these lenses when professionally fit and monitored.

Book Your Tinted Contact Lens Consultation at Orange County’s Trusted Center

If you’re seeking a natural, balanced look for differently colored eyes, Insight Vision Center Optometry is here for you. As Orange County’s top-rated destination for advanced contact lens care, our team brings years of experience and a compassionate approach to every custom cosmetic lens fitting. Our eye doctors, including Dr. Nathan Schramm, OD, FSLS, FBCLA; Dr. Thanh Mai, OD, FSLS; Dr. Valerie Lam, OD, FAAO, FOVDR; Dr. Ariel Chen, OD; and Dr. Nhi Nguyen, OD, are nationally respected for their work with custom-tinted and prosthetic lenses.
Our Costa Mesa contact lens center features the latest diagnostic and fitting technology, giving you access to a wide selection of cosmetic and prosthetic lens options tailored just for you. With over 650 five-star reviews on Google and Yelp, our patients know their care and comfort always come first.

Ready to feel confident and comfortable with your eyes?
Contact us today to schedule a personalized tinted contact lens evaluation. We’re dedicated to helping you and your family achieve the natural appearance, and confidence, you deserve.

Insight Vision Center Optometry is a proud member of Vision Source, the premier network of private practice optometrists.

Our Testimonials

Real experiences from clients who’ve seen our expertise—discover what our patients have to say.

Dr. Chen and the staff are very friendly and professional and can provide patients with sincere service and advice.

Elise Fu

Insight Vision Center Optometry has truly transformed my eyecare experience over the past year. Under the expert care of Dr. Chen, Dr. Schramm, Dr. Lam, and Dr. Mai, I've received unparalleled attention and personalized service. Their commitment to excellence extends beyond the doctors to the outstanding admin and tech team who ensure a seamless... Read more

Nathaniel Choi

Dr. Mai and the entire personnel are amazing! Extremely polite, kind and professional. In addition, I can now see 20/20!!! Thank you, thank you all

Franchezka 777

Dr. Schramm is stellar. He really cares about his patients. Great staff. Scleral lenses are life changing.

Kevin W

My first eye exam in fifteen years. I am so thankful that I found Insight Vision Center. Dr. Lam and staff made me feel like a welcome guest. My eye exam revealed very minor blurriness and Dr. Lam did not pressure me into purchasing eyewear for a condition not necessitating glasses… yet. Maybe next... Read more

Scott H.

Dr. Lam and staff are amazing. Every phone call or interaction is friendly. You can feel the smiles and joy over whatever mode of communication you are interacting with them. Dr. Lam is very knowledgeable and helps you to better understand everything that is going on with your eyes. She made me aware of... Read more

Virgilio S.