Prescription colored contacts correct your vision and change your eye color; non-prescription (plano) colored contacts only change your color. The twist? Both types require a valid prescription in the United States, even though “non-prescription” is the everyday term for zero-power lenses. Here is the difference, who should pick which, and how to order.
In this guide:
- Plano vs. prescription lenses, side by side
- What “0.00” on a prescription actually means
- How to choose your power at checkout
What’s the Difference
| Prescription lenses | Plano (non-prescription) | |
|---|---|---|
| Vision correction | Corrects nearsightedness or farsightedness | None — cosmetic only |
| Lens power | SPH values like −2.50 or +1.75 | 0.00 |
| Who it’s for | People who need vision correction and want color | People with perfect vision, or anyone wearing lenses for a look |
| Prescription required? | Yes | Yes — both are medical devices under U.S. regulations |
In short: prescription lenses are about function plus fashion, while plano lenses are fashion only. The lens design, material, and color patterns are the same — the power is the only real difference.
What Does “Plano” Mean?
“Plano” is the optical term for zero power, written as 0.00 on a prescription. A plano lens has no corrective power in any direction — it is optically neutral. That makes it the go-to choice for colored lenses when you do not need vision correction.
One important note: “non-prescription colored contacts” is common shopping language, but legally, plano lenses still require a prescription. U.S. regulations treat all contact lenses as medical devices and require a valid prescription — including zero-power (plano) cosmetic lenses. So “non-prescription” refers to the power, not the paperwork.
Who Should Choose Prescription
- You wear glasses or contacts to see clearly at distance or close up.
- You want one pair of lenses to do double duty — color plus correction.
- Your prescription is stable and your eye doctor has cleared you for colored lenses.
Prescription colored lenses shine when you want to look good without carrying glasses. Just enter your SPH power at checkout and we will handle the rest.
Keep in mind that a contact lens prescription is different from a glasses prescription: it is written for lenses that sit on the eye, so it includes fit values like base curve and diameter. Use the contact lens version when you order, not the numbers from your eyeglass card.
Who Should Choose Plano
- You have perfect vision, or your vision does not need correction.
- You are buying lenses for an event, photoshoot, cosplay, or just to try a new look.
- You already wear glasses or clear contacts for daily correction and want colored lenses only occasionally.
Plano is also the safe fallback if you have astigmatism and do not need the colored lenses to correct it — see our colored contacts for astigmatism guide for the full picture, and our toric lenses guide if you are considering toric correction.
Choosing plano also opens up the widest color range. Because plano lenses do not need to match a power, every shade we carry is available at 0.00 — so you can shop purely on color, pattern, and how the lens looks on your eye.
Both Need a Valid Prescription
It is worth repeating because it trips people up: plano colored contacts are not “prescription-free” in the legal sense. You still need a valid prescription from an eye care professional, and we verify every order before shipping. If you do not have a prescription yet, our guide on whether you need a prescription for colored contacts explains how to get one — including a plano prescription.
A quick note on wording: some stores list “non-prescription” lenses as if they are exempt. They are not. Whether the power is 0.00 or −4.00, the lens is a medical device, and the requirement is identical. If a shop promises no prescription needed, that is a red flag — walk away.
How to Order
Ordering from us takes about two minutes:
- Pick your color and size — just like any other lens on our site.
- Choose your power — 0.00 for plano, or enter your SPH power for correction.
- Verify your prescription — after ordering, confirm it through our prescription verification page and we will ship once it checks out.
Both plano and prescription orders go through the same verification — there is no loophole for decorative lenses. If you are not sure which power to pick, choose based on what the lenses are for: everyday wear with correction means prescription, a one-off look means plano.
Shop Colors
- Lavender Purple Colored Contacts — soft violet with a gentle rim.
- Macaron Blue Colored Contact Lenses — a delicate pastel blue.
- Starshine Doll Grey Colored Contacts — bright grey with a doll-like ring.
Want more options? Browse our prescription colored contacts guide for the full lineup.
