Here are a few things to keep in mind while buying prescription contact lenses online.
Prescription
The first thing you should do is get a current prescription from your eye doctor. If you don’t have one, some online contact lens retailers offer a location finder for optometrists in your area — and some even provide online eye exams. To avoid eye or vision complications, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stresses that you must have an up-to-date prescription and not use information from past eye examinations. With each prescription, eye care specialists utilize standard language, acronyms, and measurements regarding both your eyes and vision.
Your prescription will also have your optometrist’s contact information, the examination date, the issue date, and the prescription’s expiration date. You may need this extra information when submitting your prescription for contact lenses online. Another fact to be mindful of is that prescriptions for glasses are not the same as the ones for contacts.
Shipping
If you find yourself needing a new box of contact lenses much sooner than expected, shipping times will play a factor in whether you should buy prescription contacts online or in person. For online stores offering contact lenses, many will provide free standard shipping, which may take up to 10 days, while others may offer expedited or one-day shipping for an additional cost. Shipping times typically don’t include processing time, so you may need to add another day or two to the original time estimate.
Lenses
It’s important to find the type of lenses that will meet your everyday vision needs. If the dust and pollen of allergies make wearing your contacts uncomfortable, choosing daily disposable lenses may be a better option. The American Optometric Association notes that studies have found that wearing new lenses each day can make them more comfortable during allergy season. If you prefer not to change your contacts daily, lenses that can be worn for weeks or a month at a time, even while sleeping, could be a better option for you.
Subscription Orders
The most straightforward approach to saving money on most online contact lenses is to buy multiple boxes of contacts at once. If you know that your prescription doesn’t change often, purchasing multiple boxes of contacts may help you save money over time. A practical option for buying bulk while saving money is using a monthly subscription service with your current prescription. Selecting an online retailer that provides monthly subscriptions can be convenient for your budget, as it will allow you to get contact lenses at a discounted price. You also won’t have to worry about placing orders each month, since they are done automatically and shipped to your door.
Vision Insurance
Even if you get contacts online from a website, purchasing a half-year or full-year supply of contact lenses can still be a big purchase, and not all online retailers for contacts take vision insurance. If you have insurance coverage, buying from an online store that accepts it could save you hundreds of dollars per year. Before selecting an online contact lens retailer, double-check your vision insurance coverage to estimate your out-of-pocket costs. If you’re buying contacts outside of your network, or the retailer doesn’t accept insurance, you can sometimes submit a reimbursement form for a refund claim. You can also use funds from your FSA or HSA, but keep in mind that money from an FSA typically expires when the year ends.
Return Policy
You should pay close attention to any online contact lens retailer’s return policy, in case you are unsatisfied with your purchase. Some companies may offer you a complete refund, but others will only give you credit toward buying another pack of contact lenses from the same brand. If your contacts become unexpectedly damaged, either through shipping or everyday wear, make a note of any warranty information that was included with your order. Several factors, such as continuous wear, sleeping with lenses on, or losing lenses, can affect how long your prescription contact lenses will last.
Jonah Berman, a doctor of optometry in New York City, says, “In terms of what to look for when purchasing contacts or glasses online, consider competitive pricing, good customer service ratings and reputation, return policy, and how much assistance is provided to guide you through the selection process.”
