What Should You Know Before Ordering Contact Lenses Online?
There are many reasons you may want to wear contact lenses over prescription eyeglasses. Aside from cosmetic reasons, they give you an unobstructed view of your surroundings. It’s also better to wear contact lenses if you prefer flexibility in your daily life: they don’t get in the way of exercise, don’t fog up, and can be worn with non-prescription sunglasses.
You wouldn’t be alone – it’s estimated up to 45 million people across the country wear contact lenses. 90% of wearers use soft contact lenses, introduced in 1971, and oddly, two-thirds of all contact lens wearers are female. These numbers prove that contacts are an accessible and proven method of eyesight correction in the modern era.
Buying contact lenses is easy, too, as you can order them online. However, you must know a few things before doing so to ensure safety, efficiency, and convenience.
Set a buying schedule
Though getting your contact lenses online can be more convenient than buying them in person, you’ll have to wait a few days to have your products delivered. That’s why it’s best to schedule your purchases to ensure you’ll have enough stock when needed. Luckily, the contact lenses available online are easier to buy in bulk. OPSM is one place where you’ll find 90-day packs of contact lenses from brands like Biofinity, Acuvue, and Precision1. That way, you can guarantee a steady supply of contact lenses and ensure you’ll always have some to wear while waiting for your next batch to come in.
When making your buying schedule, just be sure to note the circumstances under which sellers allow bulk purchases. Some may not allow it to ensure other customers get stocks, so double-check if they permit it and inform them when you plan on ordering.
Check the online store’s reviews
A few risks of buying contact lenses online include accidentally purchasing counterfeit products and encountering stores with bad reputations. Fake contact lenses can put your eye health at risk, and some stores may lack streamlined shipping procedures or proper customer service. Prevent this by researching the store you want to buy from.
Read customers’ reviews about their service on the site itself, especially if they are regarding contact lenses you’re buying. This will let you view past customers’ experiences and determine if the products are legitimate. Finally, look for indicators of authenticity on the website. For instance, if you’re buying from an online drug store, you can check if they’re on the FDA’s BeSafeRX site.
Have your updated contact lens prescription on hand
Your prescription may change over time, requiring you to get new contacts. Your doctor may also convince you to upgrade your contact lenses to suit your needs better. For example, if you experience discomfort and dry eyes, they may suggest getting silicone hydrogel contact lenses that increase the amount of oxygen that passes through to your eyes for better comfort.
When you decide it’s time for new contact lenses, have your updated prescription on hand. This will differ from your prescription for glasses, as contacts sit directly on your eyes. You’re entitled to get your prescription for contact lenses after an eye exam, as per The Federal Trade Commission’s Contact Lens Rule and the Eyeglasses Rule. Get a digital copy from your doctor for buying contact lenses online.
Look for a provider that accepts medical insurance
Getting discounts on your contact lenses is a big advantage, especially if you have medical insurance that covers them. As such, look for a site that accepts plans from your provider. One example you can look at is the optical branch of Costco: it accepts most vision insurance plans for contact lens purchases, including those from MESVision, Avesis, and UHA Health Insurance.
You can inquire at your preferred online store if they accept vision insurance for contact lenses, as well as what you need to do to make use of it. That way, you can get rightful discounts according to your vision needs.
Buying contact lenses online is convenient and efficient. Remember these tips for a safer and more streamlined purchasing experience the next time you do so.
