A Visible Difference – How to Save Money With Discount Contact Lenses
Until fairly recently, if you wanted to wear contact lenses you would see your eye care professional. They would give you a sight test and measure the shape of your eye and then supply the lenses.
The internet has revolutionized how we buy – and contact lenses are no exception. As online competition grows, lenses are becoming cheaper so large discounts are available. It really pays to shop around!
How Can Online Providers Sell Contact Lenses At A Discount?
Many people are tempted by the lower prices on offer but still wary about buying cheaper lenses online. ‘Cheaper’ doesn’t mean that you’ll be buying lower quality lenses. These online companies sell exactly the same lenses as your High Street provider. You just pay less for them online. There are only a few main contact lens manufacturers and they just repackage the same lenses for their different ‘own brand’ outlets. It’s as simple as that!
If you’re already a lens wearer and you get your lenses from the High Street or mall, do a search online and you will discover what brand your lenses actually are. Once you know, you can shop around to find the best deal! Buying ‘multipacks’ works out the cheapest and is also useful as it means you always have spare pairs of lenses.
Online providers don’t have to pay fees on expensive premises, eye doctor salaries or other overheads. They also buy in bulk directly from the manufacturer. All of these savings mean that they can afford to sell them more cheaply – and still make a profit! This method of selling has proved so successful that supermarkets and High Street eye doctors are now offering their own discounts. It’s a buyers market!
How Do I Buy Discount Lenses From The Internet?
You must have a prescription that is no older than a year. If you are buying colored lenses as a cosmetic feature and not a sight correction, you still need to have your eyes measured for the lenses to fit properly.
How Do I Get A Prescription?
If you are already a contact lens wearer:
If your prescription is over a year old, you will need a sight test and to have your eyes checked to make sure they are healthy. Measurements will be taken to see if there has been any change in your eye shape. If you’ve lost your prescription and it is under a year old, your provider is legally bound to issue you with a duplicate, free of charge.
If you’ve never worn lenses:
You will need to see an eye care doctor for a sight test and to have your eyes measured. If your sight is normal – just ask for measurements for contacts. Your contact lens prescription is legally your property and you should be given a copy of it at each appointment.
Won’t My Eye Care Provider Be Annoyed If I Don’t Want To Buy Their Lenses?
They might have been, a few years ago. But it’s becoming more acceptable now. In fact, some High Street providers offer discounts off other providers if you shop with them! They will still get business from you as you will need aftercare – usually a six monthly check of sight and eye measurements.
Can I Use My Spectacles Prescription To Buy Discount Contact Lenses Online?
Unfortunately, you can’t. Lenses and spectacles have different prescriptions. A prescription for spectacles will include sphere, cylinder and axis measurements. One for lenses covers power, base curve, and diameter among other measurements.
Although contact lenses look the same, they are manufactured to different shapes. It’s important to buy the lens that will fit your eye properly. Contact lens wearers know that if a lens doesn’t fit it can be annoying! The lens can slip about on your eye and feel like it is going to fall out every time you blink. Having the correct measurements ensures a proper fit and maximum comfort.
When lenses fit correctly, you can put them in and just forget about them!
