A magnifying optical system, e.g. a magnifying visual aid such as a magnifying lens, a reading glass, magnifying or telescopic spectacles, contains a holding device for the magnifying element and an illuminating element which is connected to a source of energy and is embodied as at least one LED. The at least one LED is configured as a color LED, the color of which can be modified. A color control switch modifies the color of the at least one color LED is assigned to the optical system.