Color Contact lens market trends in India 

The color contact lens category in India is no longer a small “add-on” to the optical business. It’s becoming a standalone growth engine, especially among younger, beauty-conscious consumers.

Recent market studies estimate the India contact lens market in the hundreds of millions of dollars and growing at a healthy pace, with colored/cosmetic lenses being one of the fastest-growing segments. One report values the India colored contact lenses market at around USD 144–150 million in 2024, with projections to almost triple by 2033, driven by cosmetic and corrective usage together.

For retailers and distributors, understanding color contact lens market trends in India is now critical for product selection, merchandising, marketing, and long-term positioning.

Below are the key trends and what they practically mean for you.

1. From medical device to beauty accessory

Color lenses are increasingly seen as a fashion and beauty product
Young consumers (Gen Z, early millennials) treat lenses like makeup for the eyes
Many first-time users start directly with colored lenses, not clear ones

Global and regional reports echo this: cosmetic and colored lenses are gaining share as fashion accessories, driven by self-expression and social media exposure. 

What this means for retailers

You’re no longer just an “optical store”; you’re competing with beauty and lifestyle.

Visual merchandising, packaging, and display matter as much as prescription and parameters.

Educated beauty-conscious customers will compare designs, color payoff, and comfort across brands, not just prices.

2. Fast-growing segment within a growing market

Different research houses quote slightly different numbers, but they agree on two things:

The overall India contact lens market is growing strongly, with CAGRs often quoted in the high single to low double digits over the next 5–10 years. 

Within that, colored lenses are growing faster than the total market, supported by rising cosmetic demand and fashion-led usage. 

What this means for retailers

Even if your colored lens sales are small today, the category is likely to outgrow traditional clear lens sales in growth rate.

Early movers in assortment, education, and branding will be strongly positioned when penetration increases in tier-2/3 cities.

Think of color lenses as a strategic category rather than a side product.

3. Shift toward natural, skin-tone–friendly colors

In India, the mass market is moving away from obviously artificial colors (extremely bright blues, unnatural patterns) towards:

Natural browns, choco, hazel, and olive
Subtle gray and greige tones that blend with dark irises

Reports note that brands are tailoring color palettes (especially browns and hazels) to local preferences and darker eyes. 

What this means for retailers
Curate color lines that fit Indian skin tones: fair, medium, and deep.
Organize displays by “natural”, “soft glam”, and “bold” rather than just by SKU.

4. Daily disposables gaining traction in color segment

Across contact lenses globally, daily disposable lenses are gaining share because they are: More hygienic, More convenient (no cleaning, no case)

Easier for occasional wearers who only use lenses on weekends or events

Market insights repeatedly highlight rising demand for daily disposables and their strong link with cosmetic/colored usage. 

In India, this fits perfectly with how many consumers use color lenses:

For parties, weddings, festivals, shoots, or dates, not every single day

To try multiple styles without committing to a full-month product

What this means for retailers

Ensure your color assortment includes daily disposable options, not only monthly.
Position daily colors as:
“Safer for beginners”
“Perfect for special occasions”
“No need for solution or cleaning”

This also reduces after-sales issues related to poor hygiene with monthly lenses.

5. Power color lenses: merging fashion and function

Another clear trend: more consumers want both vision correction and color in a single lens.

Market analyses highlight “corrective colored lenses” as a key growth segment in India, combining cosmetic appeal with refractive correction. 

What this means for retailers
Don’t treat color lenses as “only plano.”
Keep power ranges ready for popular colors, especially:
-0.50 to -5.00 (common myopia range in young adults)
Extend deeper where demand exists (students, office workers).

Display clear signage:
“Available in power up to -X.XX”
so spectacle wearers realize they don’t have to sacrifice vision for beauty.

6. E-commerce, omnichannel, and informed buyers

One of the strongest color contact lens market trends in India is the role of online:

What this means for retailers
Assume your customers have already seen multiple brands and colors online.
Use online channels to:
Show before/after photos on Indian eyes
Explain safety, fitting, and care
Run seasonal campaigns (festivals, wedding season, Valentine’s, etc.)

If you operate offline, consider:
WhatsApp catalogs
Click-and-collect
Simple home-delivery for repeat customers
The winning model is usually omnichannel rather than purely offline or online.

7. Safety, regulation, and trust as differentiators

As the category grows, so does concern about: Unregulated lenses sold via marketplaces or informal channels Improper lens wear and hygiene Eye health issues due to misuse

What this means for retailers
Position your store as a trusted, health-first provider:
OLENS Emphasize authentic products
Partner with recognized, certified brands

Provide basic eye safety education at point of sale
Use safety as a sales advantage over grey-market sellers:
“We don’t just sell pretty colors; we protect your eyes.”