Contacts (2024)

FAQs

Is it OK to buy contacts online? ›

The FDA offers advice on buying contact lenses online. A reliable company should not attempt to substitute a different brand for which a person has a prescription. Also, people should be wary of any firm that supplies contact lenses that do not exactly match the customer's prescription.

You'll need a prescription for your new contact lenses in order to buy them either at the eye doctor's office or online. Let your eye doctor know in advance that you'll need a contact lens prescription since these are very different from eyeglass prescriptions.

Contacts: Pros

They give you more natural vision than glasses. They move with your eye, and nothing blocks what you see. They don't fog up or get wet when it's cold or rainy. Contacts don't get in the way when you play sports.

1-800 Contacts price matches with the lowest price you can find online for the same product. Ordering from them will likely cost about the same, or a little bit less, than ordering from your optometrist's office.

1-800 Contacts tops our list for best overall online contact retailer but that doesn't mean they're always the cheapest. You may find lower prices at Walmart.

Once 1-800 verifies your prescription, it will ship your lenses for free. If 1-800 can't verify your prescription, or if it is expired, you can take an ExpressExam for $20 or contact your eye doctor for an in-person appointment. Is 1-800 Contacts legit? Yes, 1-800 Contacts is a BBB-accredited business.

After you submit your order, we'll verify your prescription with your eye care provider to make super-sure you get the correct contacts. This may take up to one business day.

However, contact lenses may not be a good option for people who: Have had repeated eye infections. Suffer from severe allergic reactions. Have problems with eye lubrication.

It is not safe to sleep while wearing contacts, even if you are just taking a nap. The occasional or accidental nap in your contacts can increase your risk of an infection. If you think there is a chance you could fall asleep, it is safest to remove your contact lenses first.

How many hours a day can you wear contact lenses? ›

Wearing your lenses for long periods of time can damage your eyes, even if they're daily contacts. The maximum recommended daily use for any contact lens is 14-16 hours, though Dr. Frick will determine the exact number of hours you should wear your lenses. Your eyes, just like any other part of your body, need to rest.

Daily wear lenses should be replaced either every day, every week to two weeks, or monthly. Extended-wear lenses are prescribed less often, but they can be worn for up to a full month in some cases before they need to be replaced.

Average Cost of Monthly Contact Lenses

The average cost of a monthly disposable contact lens is about $30-$60 per month. That may seem like a lot, but remember that contacts last for a month, so you only pay for them once per month.

Plan to pay between $500 and $700 annual for daily disposables if you buy an annual supply. Most retailers will offer a discount if you choose to buy your contact lenses in "bulk," so keep that in mind as you shop for them.

Contact lenses can be ordered from many retailers, both in person and online. It's possible your eye doctor will have a recommendation for a contact lens supplier — or even sell them at their office — but you can order from any retailer that sells your brand.

While cheap contacts are available, they aren't always the best choice for your eyes. A low-quality pair may be more likely to tear, and this could lead to a scratch on your cornea or other damage to the eye.

After you submit your order, we'll verify your prescription with your eye care provider to make super-sure you get the correct contacts. This may take up to one business day.

Purchasing cosmetic contact lenses online, in costume stores or kiosks without a prescription is not only illegal; many of these lenses do not meet safety standards and can potentially damage your eyes.