Photo-responsive shape changing polymer compositions including photoinitiators that absorb light in the range about 400 nm to about 700 nm, a cross-linked polymer matrix and a polymerizable composition. Photopolymerization of the polymerizable composition sorbed in the cross-linked polymer matrix results in the shape change which manifests in the change in the refractive properties of the composition. The light dose required to effect the shape change; lock-in dose and the photobleaching dose are determined by the choice of the photoinitiator, electron donor and the hydrogen donor. These compositions are useful in the fabrication of coloured lenses, especially intraocular lenses.