Do you buy contact lenses online and what merchants do you use?

Answer 1

Ordering Contact Lenses Online

All you need is money (typically a credit card) and a prescription...

I've been buying contact lenses online for about 10 years now. I've tried local merchants, but they just can't beat the prices of online companies.

I've had the best experience with 1800contacts. They are very good at checking that your prescription is current, and they deliver on time (or earlier in some cases). They keep track of your purchases so you can reorder quickly from their website and they email you when they believe you are running low to remind you before you run out.

I only had to call their customer service line once (there was a problem with my prescription). They took care of me quickly and dealt directly with my doctor.

If you are hesitant to order online because you are unsure of your prescription, it's the number on the side of the box. If you suffer from astigmatism you can order special contacts called Toric contact lenses.

Additional Information

Here's what the FDA recommends about ordering contact lenses over the internet, over the phone, or by mail:

Get regular eye exams. You may have problems with your eyes that you are not aware of, and your contacts may not correct your vision properly. Some untreated infections can lead to blindness.

Have an eye-care specialist check to make sure that your contact lenses fit properly and that the contact lens prescription was filled properly. Failure to do so could cause discomfort or damage to your eyes.

Beware of attempts to substitute a different brand than what you normally wear. There are differences in water content and shape between brands. The choice of which lens is right for you should be made only based on examination by your eye-care specialist, not over the phone or the Internet.

Request the manufacturer's written patient information for your contact lenses. It will give you important information, as well as instructions for use.

The minimum elements contained on a valid contact lens prescription should include your name, doctor's name, contact lens brand name and material, expiration date (if mandated by your state), and lens measurements, including power, diameter and base curve.

Make certain your contact lens prescription is current when ordering. The expiration date is currently set by each state. Some states require one- or two-year expiration dates, while other states leave it to eye care-specialists to decide. Never order lenses using a prescription that has expired.

Be sure the lenses the company sends matches your prescription exactly. Check that you have the brand and lens name you ordered, and that the numbers indicating power, sphere, cylinder and axis (if any), diameter, and base curve are the same as on your prescription. This information is required to appear on the contact lens package or container.

If you think you have received an incorrect lens, check with your doctor. Don't accept substitutes for any contact lens unless your doctor approves.

Some Internet sites ask for information about your doctor so that they can check the prescription. If they do check and receive a verbal OK, then they have complied with the Federal prescription device regulation. If the company does not check, they have not obtained a valid prescription. Some state laws require that a written prescription be presented.

Order your contacts from a supplier you are familiar with and know is reliable.

You won't break any laws if you buy lenses on the Internet, by phone, or through the mail without a prescription, but you should know that the company is selling you a prescription device as if it were an over-the-counter device. This violates federal regulation. Be wary when companies tell you they will check with your doctor to confirm the prescription. They don't always check.

A few more things to consider:

• Evaluate each service's return policies. How do they handle unopened returns or packages that may have been damaged in shipment.
• When making your selection consider value rather than price. Just because they are cheaper doesn't mean you be receiving a quality product for your money.
• Check to see if your insurance company has any special arrangements made with particular services. You may find significant discounts in such cases.

Answer 2

Many retailers sell contact lenses online. For vision-correcting lenses, places to shop include 1800 Contacts, VisionDirect, and Coastal. People looking for cosmetic lenses can try EyeCandys, SFX Halloween Contacts, and Candy Color Lenses.