Start with three important concepts when evaluating where to purchase contact lenses:
1. Ignore your preconceived ideas about who's cheaper. Evaluate a variety of sources, and don't automatically rule out any online or offline entity.
2. Buying anything on the Internet involves risk, and this is especially true with contact lenses. That doesn't mean it's a bad idea — you just need to know which sites to buy from.
3. Whether buying online or offline, you should focus on value, not just price. Overall value is affected by these factors (in no particular order):
• Availability
•Price
•Insurance
•Customer service
•Convenience
•Bundled products and professional services
But before you buy, you'll need a contact lens prescription.
It All Starts with the Prescription
In the U.S., contact lenses are a prescription item, just like medicines. Even if you already have a prescription for eyeglasses, you need a new one that contains additional information for contact lenses.
Why a Prescription?
A contact lens is a medical device. If it's not properly prescribed, you may not see well. More importantly, a poorly fitting lens — or one made from a material not well-suited to your eyes — could result in discomfort, inflammation, swelling, abrasion, or another problem that could, in rare cases, result in permanent eye tissue damage.
That, and the risk of infection, are also why it's unwise to share contact lenses with other wearers.
Throughout the U.S., you can be fitted for contact lenses by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. In some states, opticians also can be certified to fit contact lenses.
Prescription Expirations
An important aspect of the contact lens laws is that they require contact lens prescriptions to be valid for a minimum of one year, or the minimum required by state law, whichever is greater.
When your prescription expires, you won't be able to buy more lenses until you get an updated prescription. This will probably involve a checkup by your eye care provider (ECP) to be certain that contact lenses aren't adversely affecting your eyes.
Remember, just about everyone can wear contact lenses. If you're diagnosed with a lens-related problem, it's unlikely that you'll have to discontinue wearing contacts. Chances are you'll simply need a different size, material or design of lens.
Do I Really Need Another Exam?
Just because your eyes feel good and your contact lenses seem to be working well does not mean your eye health is O.K. You may be having microscopic problems that can be seen only with a slit lamp or other type of device."
Doctors indicate that about 10 percent of the time when they see patients during a follow-up visit, they notice something that could become a problem if not taken care of immediately.
How to Shop for Contact Lenses
As with any type of purchase, most people who are "looking for the best price" are really looking for the best overall value. In contact lenses, where a combination of products and professional services are involved, this is especially true. Don't ignore the issues of convenience and availability; the best price won't mean much if the product is out of stock, and you need it now.
In addition, consider the value of your time. Since there are literally hundreds of contact lens sellers available to you, you could spend hours online comparison shopping, or driving somewhere to pick up lenses. Be certain to consider the time invested in relation to the savings.
Where's the Best Price?
To get the best price on contact lenses, you have to comparison shop. Don't assume you'll find a significantly better price on the Internet than you will in an optical chain or from an independent ECP. Ask about prices during your eye exam or contact lens fitting.
Also, don't assume that any seller who offers one particular lens for less will be cheaper for all lenses. One company may sell a standard spherical lens for less, but a second company might sell a specialty lens for less than the first company. A company that's cheaper for one brand might be more expensive for another one. Also, pricing can change often, particularly at Internet sites, where price changes can appear at any time.
Your Eye Doctor
Pricing of contact lenses from ECPs varies widely. Many people assume that lenses from a doctor will be more expensive, but this is not always the case. Some doctors will sell larger quantities of lenses — a year's supply, for example — at prices that are competitive with other sources.
Some eyecare practitioners offer bundled packages of lenses and professional services. If your doctor's lens price is slightly higher than a competitive source, but the package includes office visits, contact lens care products, or other services, the value may be greater.
Then there's the issue of convenience. Today many eye care professionals offer web or e-mail lens reordering capability to their patients. And they'll mail your lenses to you, or have the lens manufacturer ship the lenses directly to you.
Mail-Order Retailers
Mail-order can be very convenient: it takes just a few clicks of your mouse, or a toll-free call. But there are literally hundreds of these sellers, and it's crucial to remember that they are not all created equal.
Mail-order contact lens sellers range from large, publicly traded companies, to back-room operations with no full-time staff. Although smaller operators may publicize attractive prices on their websites, they may not offer the service and selection you're looking for. Some have little inventory, and may obtain lenses only after customers place orders. Larger sellers can be in a better position to get your lenses to you quickly, because they stock a lot of lenses.
Put any company you're thinking of ordering from to this test:
1. Will my order ship ASAP? Smaller, low-volume companies might stock only the most common prescriptions. If they have to obtain your lenses after you order them, delivery time may be longer than you expect.
A mail-order seller must, by law, contact your eyecare practitioner to verify your prescription. The law says your ECP's office has eight business hours to respond; this can delay the shipment of your lenses. (If your ECP does not respond within eight hours, the company may ship the order anyway.)
2. Do I trust this company with my credit card information? There's always some risk in buying from companies you have no experience with, and never heard of. Thoroughly research any company you are considering buying from with websites like the Better Business Bureau (bbbonline.com).
3. Is customer service readily available? If there's a problem with your order, it's nice to know that you can easily access a customer service representative to handle it.
4. Will the company be in business tomorrow? For example, if there's a billing error, such as an accidental double-billing of your credit card, you'll want to be confident in the integrity of the company, and a quick resolution.
5. What's the return policy? If you buy a large amount of lenses and your prescription changes, make sure the company will accept the unopened boxes for credit.
Brick-and-Mortar Contact Lens Sellers
Optical chains and optical departments inside major retail stores generally have optometrists either on-premises or in adjacent affiliated locations. Such outlets offer the advantage of being able to provide eye exams and contact lens fittings, as well as sell you a supply of lenses.
If you have a common prescription, already have a valid Rx and need more contact lenses immediately, such a location may be a good option because there's no waiting for your lenses. Some people also appreciate the "trust factor" of a personal transaction, as opposed to mail-order sellers that can be contacted only by phone or Internet.
Optical chains and large, multi-location eye care practices also benefit from volume buying, and generally offer competitive prices.
Brand-Switching and "Private Label" Contact Lenses
By law, contact lens retailers must sell you the exact lens you have been prescribed — no switching of brands or lens specifications. But there is one exception. Some manufacturers sell a particular lens under several brand names — for example, they may create private-label brands for large eye care practices or optical chains. If your prescription calls for a private-label lens, you can buy that same lens packaged with a different brand name. Some mail-order sellers offer guides to help determine the national brand name of a private-label lens.
The Bottom Line
There's no one answer to the question, "Where should I buy contact lenses?" To get the most value from your purchase, you'll need to think about what best meets your needs, and do some comparison shopping.
