How To Buy Contact Lenses Online

Be a wise consumer if you buy contact lenses on the Internet, over the phone or by mail. While such purchases are often a convenient and economical way to get lenses, it's a wise decision to proceed with caution when purchasing items through these methods. I have gathered some important hints and tips to guide you when making your next purchase.

When you buy contact lenses, first ask yourself if your contact lens prescription is current or updated. This is a must. Never order lenses with a prescription that has expired. You must have had a check-up within the last 1 or 2 years; or else you may have problems with your eyes that you are not aware of. In these cases, your vision may not be properly corrected by your contact lenses.

Ordering lenses without a up-to-date and official prescription may cause serious complications to your eyesight. This also goes for the check-up. The fit of your contact lenses will be reevaluated, and any changes in the cornea from the contact lenses will be observed and taken care of if necessary. Infections will also be avoided through regular check-ups, as they allow your doctor to look for any irregularities that can cause severe loss of vision. Contact lenses that are not properly fitted by an eye doctor might not work well, or even worse, may harm your eyes.

The minimum elements of a official prescription usually include your name and the doctor's name along with the contact lens brand name and material. Other lens information such as power, diameter, and base curves should also be included. These are the minimum that should be in a prescription, but some detailed prescriptions also have directions for use, whether lenses are for daily or extended wear, the number of refills , and an expiration date. These all depend on the local laws of the state you're in, as state laws often define a prescription's requirements.

Some Internet sites ask for information about your doctor so that they may check the prescription with your doctor. If they receive a verbal okay, they comply with the Federal prescription device regulation. If the stores do not check, then they have not obtained a official prescription. Some state laws require that a written prescription be presented.

Now, purchasing contact lenses over the phone, by mail, or from the Internet does not necessarily mean you're breaking the law. But the company is selling you a prescription device as if it were an over-the-counter device. This will be in violation of FDA regulations. Some Internet companies allow customers to fill out important details in a form, like information about your prescription, and ask you to fill in your doctor's name and phone number.

Choose a reliable and well-established store when buying contact lenses. Get the manufacturer's written patient information for the lenses you buy, which will give you important risk/benefit information, as well as instructions for use. Beware of attempts to substitute a different brand than you presently have. Different brands of contact lenses have different water content and shapes. Carefully check to make sure the company gives you the exact brand, lens name, power, sphere, cylinder and axis (if any), diameter, base curve, and peripheral curve (if any). If you think you have gotten an incorrect lens, contact your doctor immediately and get his approval first before using them.