In today's age of convenience, buying essential items like your contact lenses online is simple, easy and affordable. Unfortunately, there are many unauthorized websites selling contacts online that are expired or counterfeit. Our expert guide offers tips on how to buy contact lenses safely online and how to spot the shady online sellers.
Buying contact lenses online offers a wide range of benefits, from competitive prices to easy, at home delivery. Due to the convenience it is easy to forget that contact lenses are FDA regulated medical devices and do come with serious health risks if not prescribed and used properly.
Selecting a reliable online retailer is crucial to ensure the quality and authenticity of your contact lenses. While most online contact lens retailers are legit, sometimes it is difficult to spot unauthorized resellers.
How do you find an authorized contact lens website?
When buying contact lenses online, it's essential to verify the authenticity of the products you're purchasing. Ensure that the retailer only sells FDA-approved contact lenses and that the lenses are from reputable brands. To verify, check your contact lens manufacturers website. Many websites offer a list of their authorized retailers.
Contact lens manufacturers offer exclusive after-deliver savings rebates only to preferred authorized retailers. While these rebates are a great way to save money on your contact lens supply, one benefit is that they are only available in websites that provide certified contact lenses from the manufacturer.
Every now and then you will come across contact lenses online whose prices are too good to be true.
That’s because they are.
Many websites will offer expired contact lenses or worse yet, counterfeit contacts at extremely low prices. These contacts pose a serious risk to your eyes and vision and should be avoided.
Legitimate contact lens retailers are upfront about how much their contact lenses cost. Some websites will add hidden fees such as admin or handling fees that are found at checkout.
Again, be sure to be aware of websites offering contact lenses at prices that seem too good to be true.
Customer reviews and ratings can provide valuable insights into the quality and service offered by an online retailer. Take the time to read reviews from other customers to get a sense of their experiences with the website, including delivery times, customer service, and product quality.
The best place to read trusted, verified reviews is directly from the company’s Google business listing.
Once you find a trusted, authorized contact lens online retailer or e-commerce store it is time to place your order.
Before you start shopping for contact lenses online, it's essential to have a valid, non-expired prescription from an Optometrist. A valid prescription ensures that your eyes are healthy enough for the lenses you purchase and that the contacts optimally correct your vision accurately.
Contact lens prescriptions are brand specific so you must order the contacts that your prescription is written for.
Online contact lens eye exams telling you to renew your contact lens prescription online are not approved by most state Optometry boards. In fact, most places that offer online contact lens testing are doing so without the guidance and approval of a state-licensed Optometrists.
Online eye exams are unable to assess the health of the eye or the fit of the contacts putting you at serious risk for eye infections, corneal hypoxia and risk of blindness.
When placing your order, you should never have to enter your prescription details yourself. This is a tactic used to shift the liability off of the retailer.
Instead, only shop from authorized stores that allow you to upload a copy of your contact lens prescription or email them a copy of your prescription. This ensures that your prescription will be filled by licensed expert eye care professionals.
Consider the shipping and delivery options available, especially if you need your contact lenses by a specific date. Some retailers offer expedited shipping for an additional fee, while others provide free standard shipping as well as free in-store pickup.
Once you receive your contact lenses, keep a record of the purchase details, including the retailer's contact information and your prescription. This information will be handy for reordering or addressing any issues in the future.
Buying contact lenses online offers a wide range of benefits, from competitive prices, to easy at home delivery. Due to the convenience it is easy to forget that contact lenses are FDA regulated medical devices and do come with serious health risks if not prescribed and used properly.
Be sure to only buy contact lenses from legitimate, authorized contact lens retailers that offer certified contacts. Beware of websites selling expired or counterfeit contacts online. Always consult your Optometrist, know the brand and type of contacts you wear, and be diligent in verifying product authenticity. By doing so, you can enjoy the convenience of online shopping while safeguarding your eye health.
This article was written by a state-licensed optical professional. At The Optical. Co, we believe in filling the internet with news and information from trusted professional sources. If you agree with this mission, please consider sharing this article on any and all of your favorite social sites.
