Five Steps to Ordering Contact Lenses Online

When ordering contact lenses online, it is important to follow a few steps to make sure you find the best possible lenses for you.

1.         Get your contact lense prescription from an eye care professional. 

This is important for a number of reasons.  First and foremost, you need to have your eyes checked once a year just for the health of your eyes.  Your eye doctor can see problems in your eyes long before it becomes a problem; so don't wait until it's too late! 

Also, it is required by law to get a prescription before ordering contact lenses online.  Since contact           lenses are applied directly to your eye, they are considered to be a “medical device;” and need to be fitted by a qualified doctor. 

And finally, contact lenses are not a “one size fits all” kind of product.  Your contact lens prescription is much more than just your visual requirements; it also tells what the “size” of your eye is, so the lenses fit more comfortably.  For that reason, you can't just take your prescription from your eyeglasses and hope the contact lenses will fit well. 

Remember, you are not required to buy your contact lenses from the person who gives you your prescription; however, he or she is required to write down your prescription for you.  This allows you to take your prescription home and compare prices before ordering contact lenses online.

2.         Determine what your contact lens needs are. 

Do you have astigmatism?  Then you need contact lenses for astigmatism, known as toric lenses.  Do you require “reader” glasses to read, or bifocal eyeglasses to see?  Then you need bifocal or multifocal contact lenses.  Regardless what your unique vision requirements might be, there is likely a contact lens for you.

3.         Determine what your wants are.

Contact lenses have come a long way, and these days there are all kinds of added benefits.  Do you work or play outside?  Then perhaps you want a lens with UV protection.  Do you have dry eyes, work at a computer, or out in the elements?  Then you want contact lenses for dry eyes, or deposit-resistant contacts.  Do you want tinted contacts (which help you find the lens in the contact lense solution), or do you want to change the color of your eyes?  Then tinted or colored contacts might be fun for you. 

4.         Compare prices.

Of course, cost is a factor when ordering contact lenses online; so spend some time on this step.  Be aware of hidden costs, such as unexplained surcharges, or highs costs for shipping and handling.  Also look for free trials; many suppliers offer a free pair of contact lenses so you can see if they are the right lens for you.  Also pay attention to the replacement schedule; some lenses are daily disposables, some need to replaced every two weeks, some every four; this will affect the overall cost of the lenses. 

5.         Buy! 

Purchase your contacts, and wait for them to arrive in the mail.  Your work is done!

If you follow these important five steps when ordering contact lenses online, you are sure to find the perfect lenses for you.

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