Since the advent of the soft contact lens in 1971, the eye care industry has exploded and made numerous advances giving us a wide variety of choices and options. Today, many vision problems can be corrected by wearing contacts, including astigmatisms, presbyopia, and both near and farsightedness.
Unless you’re going through your own eye doctor, you’ll first need to obtain a copy of your prescription before buying contact lenses. Ask your optometrist for a copy of your prescription, which they are required by law to give, and then be prepared to do some comparison shopping.
If your health insurance plan has vision coverage, don’t automatically assume that using it will get you the best deal when buying contact lenses. Although it may vary, the majority of plans will offer a set discount on your contact purchases at either your own eye care practitioner, or through select brick-and-mortar vendors and retailers, with the discount usually around 15%. Other times, eye insurance will offer discounts on mail order purchases made through participating companies.
Some excellent sources for buying contact lenses include:
– Online vendors: Buying contact lenses online is quick, convenient, and can be done 24 hours a day, seven days a week. With just a few simple clicks of the mouse your order will be processed and soon be on its way. Check on each company’s shipping prices and be prepared to pay extra if you’re in a hurry for your lenses to arrive. There are many types and brands of contacts to choose from online with countless options, including specialty lenses, lenses for an astigmatism, and multifocal or coloured lenses, just to name a few.
– Optical Chains: Many optical chains offer convenient hours, multiple locations, and in some cases, lower prices if you already have a valid prescription and don’t need to be seen by their own on-site optometrists.
– Mass retailers: There are several mass retailers, department store chains, and warehouse clubs that feature optical departments. Some stores have their own department, while others have those that are independently owned by an optical chain and may have some of the same discounts or deals.
– Your own eye doctor: The prices of contact lenses through an eye care professional may vary widely. Some are far more expensive than mass retailers, while others buy their lenses in bulk keeping them competitively priced. Often times, eye doctors will feature bundled packages, such as so many pairs of lenses with a supply of cleaning solution, along with a number of office visits for one price.
Regardless of where or how you decide to buy your contact lenses, you’ll want to make sure you get regular eye care including examinations to keep your eyes their absolute healthiest. It’s also imperative to get the right type of lenses for your particular eye problem.
For an astigmatism, you’ll need to wear toric or rigid gas permeable lenses that help to reshape the cornea, bifocal contact lenses are needed for those with presbyopia, while hard contacts can be worn to correct most vision problems. Soft disposable lenses are excellent for those with allergies or sensitive eyes, and extended wear lenses can be worn for as many as 30 consecutive days, making them the leader in convenience.