There are a variety of options for purchasing cheap contact lenses. Some options include buying in bulk, purchasing generic brands, and shopping for sales and discounts. It’s also a good idea to check with your eye doctor to see if they offer discounts or have any suggestions for affordable options.
This guide provides helpful advice on purchasing cheap contact lenses at an affordable price. It will cover the different types of lenses available, factors that impact pricing, and essential tips to remember when making a purchase. With this information, you’ll easily find the right lenses for your needs and budget.
What Type of Contact Lenses Do You Need?
The type of contact lenses you need will depend on your specific vision needs and preferences. Some common types of contact lenses include:
- Daily disposables: These lenses are designed to be worn for one day only and then thrown away. These lenses are very convenient because there is no need for cleaning solutions or long-term storage. However, daily disposables can be more expensive in the long term than reusable contact lenses.
- Monthly disposables: These lenses are worn for a month and thrown away. Although they cost more initially than daily disposables, they are cheaper in the long run since they don’t need to be replaced as often. On the other hand, monthly disposables require more cleaning and maintenance than their daily counterparts.
- Toric lenses: These lenses are specifically designed to correct astigmatism, a condition in which the cornea or natural lens of the eye is not perfectly shaped. Toric lenses use their special design to provide clear vision for individuals with astigmatism.
- Multifocal lenses: These lenses are corrective eyeglass lenses designed for people needing both distance and near vision correction. These lenses contain multiple focal points allowing the wearer to see clearly at multiple distances, such as for driving and reading.
- Color contacts: These lenses are worn to change the color of the eyes. They are often used to change eye color or provide a cosmetic effect, although they can also be used medically to correct vision problems. Color contacts come in various designs and colors, offering wearers safe and convenient access to detail changes in their eyes’ look.
It’s essential to consult with your eye doctor to determine the best type of contact lenses for your individual needs.
Get a Prescription From an Eye Doctor
You will need a valid prescription from an eye doctor to purchase contact lenses. The prescription will include important information, such as the type of lenses you need, the lens material, the base curve, and the lens diameter.
Getting a prescription typically involves a comprehensive eye exam, during which the eye doctor will assess your vision, check for any eye health issues, and determine the proper contact lens prescription. Depending on the exam, the doctor may also check the health of your cornea, the size and shape of your eyes, and the curvature of your cornea.
After the exam, the doctor will give you a prescription that you can use to purchase contact lenses from an optometrist, an optical store, or an online retailer. It’s important to note that in some countries, the legal requirement for a prescription varies, and some countries allow buying contact lenses without a prescription.
It’s also important to note that your prescription for contact lenses may differ from your prescription for glasses, so it’s important to get separate prescriptions for each. And also, it’s vital to follow the eye doctor’s instructions for wearing and caring for your contact lenses to ensure your eyes stay healthy.
Read Reviews on Quality and Customer Service
Reading reviews from other customers can be a helpful way to evaluate the quality and customer service of different contact lens retailers. These reviews can provide valuable insight into other customers’ experiences, including the products’ quality, the prescriptions’ accuracy, the shipping and delivery times, and the responsiveness and helpfulness of customer service.
When looking for reviews, you can check the retailer’s website and third-party sites such as Google reviews, Yelp, Trustpilot, etc.
It’s also good to look for reviews specifically related to contact lenses that mention the specific brand or type of contact lenses you’re interested in purchasing.
However, it’s essential to keep in mind that not all reviews are genuine or unbiased. Some companies may fake reviews or pay for positive reviews, so it’s a good idea to read reviews from multiple sources and consider the overall consensus among reviewers.
It’s also important to remember that reviews are only one aspect when choosing a contact lens retailer. Other factors like price, return policy, and availability of different brands are also essential to consider.
Research Contact Lenses Brands and Options
When researching contact lens brands and options, it’s essential to consider factors such as the lens material, the replacement schedule, and the level of breathability.
Some of the most popular contact lens brands include Acuvue, Biofinity, and Air Optix. Each brand offers a variety of options, including daily disposables, monthly disposables, and extended-wear lenses.
When considering lens material, it’s important to note that some materials are more breathable than others, which can be more comfortable for the eyes. For example, silicone hydrogel lenses are made of a material that allows more oxygen to pass through to the eye, which can reduce dryness and irritation.
It’s also important to consider the replacement schedule of the lenses. Daily disposables are replaced daily, monthly disposables are replaced monthly, and quarterly disposables are replaced every 3 months. The more often you need to replace the lenses, the more expensive it will be in the long run.
Some other factors to consider when researching contact lens brands and options are:
- UV protection
- Hydration and moisture level
- Quality of the lens
- Different prescriptions like spherical, toric, multifocal, etc
- Online availability and price comparison
Consulting with your eye doctor can help determine the best contact lens brand and option for your individual needs and preferences.
Consider Buying Multi-Packs
One way to save money when purchasing contact lenses is by buying multi-packs. Many retailers offer discounted prices for multiple contact lenses boxes at once. This can be a good option for people who wear contact lenses regularly and know they will use multiple boxes of lenses over some time.
Multi-packs can also be helpful for people who wear daily disposables, as they can be more expensive on a per-box basis than monthly disposables. Buying a multi-pack of daily disposables can reduce the cost per lens.
When buying multi-packs, it’s essential to consider the expiration date of the lenses. Some retailers or manufacturers may offer a discount if you buy many lenses at once, but the expiration date will be shorter. Make sure that the lenses will expire after you have a chance to use them all.
It’s also important to remember that buying multi-packs does not mean you have to compromise on the quality of lenses. You can still buy multi-packs of the lenses you prefer, whether a specific brand or type, like toric or multifocal.
Overall, buying multi-packs can be a great way to save money on contact lenses, as long as you keep track of the expiration date and ensure that you will use all of the lenses before they expire.
Look for Discounted Contact Lenses Online
Online retailers often offer discounted prices on contact lenses compared to brick-and-mortar stores. This is because they have lower overhead costs and can pass those savings on to the customer.
When shopping online for contact lenses, it’s essential to ensure the retailer is reputable and has a good track record. Look for reviews, check their customer service contact information, and see if they have a return policy if the product differs from what you expect.
It’s also important to compare prices across multiple online retailers. Some retailers may offer different promotions or deals, so it’s a good idea to shop around to find the best price.
You can also look for online retailers specializing in contact lenses and offering a wide selection of brands and types. Some of these retailers may also offer additional discounts for bulk purchases, subscribe and save options, or for signing up for their loyalty program.
It’s also important to note that buying contact lenses online may require a valid prescription, and the retailer may ask for it before processing your order. It’s essential to check the legal requirement for a prescription for contact lenses in your country before making an order.
Overall, shopping for discounted contact lenses online can be a great way to save money, as long as you take the time to research the retailer and compare prices.
Take Advantage of Coupon and Promo Codes
Taking advantage of coupons and promo codes can be a great way to save money when purchasing contact lenses. These codes can provide discounts on the total purchase price or a percentage of the cost of the lenses.
Coupons and promo codes can be found in various places, including the retailer’s website, email newsletters, social media, and third-party coupon websites.
When using a coupon or promo code, it’s important to read the terms and conditions to ensure that the code can be applied to the product you’re purchasing and that it hasn’t expired. Some codes may have restrictions, such as a minimum purchase amount or a specific expiration date.
It’s also important to compare prices after applying the coupon or promo code to ensure you get the best deal possible.
Remember that some retailers may offer exclusive discounts to their loyalty program members, newsletter subscribers, or social media followers. Hence, signing up for these programs is an excellent way to stay informed of discounts or promotions.
Lastly, be careful with the sites that offer “too good to be true” discounts or coupons, as they may not be legitimate and could put your personal information at risk. Stick to well-known and reputable retailers and coupon websites.
Use Price Comparison Website
Using price comparison websites can be a helpful tool for finding the best deal on contact lenses. These websites allow you to compare prices from multiple retailers in one place, making it easy to find the best price on the specific brand and type of contact lenses you need.
When using a price comparison website, it’s essential to make sure that the retailers listed on the website are reputable and have a good track record. Additionally, you should see the reviews of the retailers on the website so that you can see what other customers have experienced.
It’s also good to compare prices across multiple price comparison websites to ensure you get the best deal possible.
It’s also important to note that some price comparison websites may not list all retailers, so it’s a good idea to check the prices directly on the retailer’s website.
When using a price comparison website, you can filter your search by different criteria, such as brand, type, and price range, which can help you find the most suitable contact lenses.
Summary
It is generally not recommended to buy cheap contact lenses, as they may not be manufactured to the same standards of quality and safety as those from reputable manufacturers.
Additionally, they may not be properly sterile, which could lead to eye infections or other complications.
It is essential to consult with an eye doctor and use contact lenses from a reputable source to ensure proper fit, safety, and hygiene.
