Some colored contacts are available in positive, or plus, sphere powers, but the range is usually narrower than the minus-power selection. Copy the exact value from a current contact-lens prescription and confirm the actual variant list for the exact brand, series, color and replacement schedule.
What the plus sign means
A plus sphere value such as +1.00 is optically different from −1.00. The sign is not optional, and a plus value should not be inferred from reading difficulty or copied from somebody else’s order. In the United States, decorative and vision-correcting contacts both require a prescription.
Farsightedness and near-vision needs are not the same shopping problem
Positive sphere powers may be used in a plan for hyperopia, but presbyopia can involve an ADD value, multifocal design, monovision strategy or reading glasses. A standard single-vision plus-power colored lens does not automatically solve every near-vision need.
If your prescription lists ADD, CYL, AXIS or another parameter that the product does not offer, do not omit that field to make the order fit. Ask your eye-care professional which product design is appropriate.
Read the exact product identity
Two products with similar names can differ in material, base curve, total diameter, graphic diameter, water content, replacement schedule and power range. Before ordering, confirm:
- brand, series and shade;
- regular, toric or multifocal version;
- plus sign and decimal value for each eye;
- base curve and diameter on the prescription/product listing;
- daily, monthly or longer replacement schedule;
- individual lens count in the box, not only the number of blisters shown.
Do not convert an eyeglass prescription yourself
An eyeglass prescription and a contact-lens prescription are not interchangeable records. Contact lenses require brand/design and fitting information, and higher powers may need optical conversion. Use the contact-lens prescription supplied by your prescriber.
What to do when your plus power is unavailable
- Do not choose the nearest available number.
- Do not reverse the sign or order 0.00 as a substitute.
- Ask whether another fitted brand or design is appropriate.
- If color options are limited, prioritize the prescribed optical and fitting requirements over shade.
- Keep glasses available for times when an appropriate colored option is not available.
Questions and answers
Is +1.00 the same as −1.00?
No. They are opposite optical powers and must be entered exactly.
Does 0.00 mean no prescription is needed?
No. Plano colored contacts do not correct sphere power, but they are still prescription medical devices in the United States.
Can plus-power colored contacts replace reading glasses?
Sometimes a broader visual plan may include them, but presbyopia and ADD needs require individualized advice.
Why does one color offer fewer powers than another?
Variant ranges can differ by exact product and market. Check the selectable options rather than assuming every shade shares the same range.
Can I wear plus contacts with glasses?
Some prescribed combinations use contacts and glasses together, but the combined optical plan should come from an eye-care professional.
Reviewed September 12, 2026 by the KPOP2 Editorial Team. AI-assisted guidance checked against the official sources below. This article provides general education and cannot diagnose an eye condition, confirm a lens fit, or replace instructions from your eye-care professional.
Sources
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