Buying Contact Lenses

If you buy contact lenses, especially over the phone, by mail, or through the Internet, you have to know some important things to protect yourself and your money. Getting these products through the mail or from Internet shops are often convenient and practical, but as always; it’s a wise decision to proceed with caution when purchasing items through these methods. I have gathered some important hints and tips to guide you when making your next purchase.

When you buy contact lenses, first ask yourself if your contact lens prescription is current or updated. This is a must. Never buy or order contact lenses with an expired prescription. You must have had a check-up within the last 1 or 2 years; otherwise you might have problems with your eyesight that you’re not immediately aware of. In these cases, your vision may not be properly corrected by your contact lenses.

Ordering lenses without a current and valid prescription prevents serious complications to your eyesight. This also goes for the check-up. The fit of your contact lenses will be reevaluated, and any changes in the cornea from the contact lenses will be observed and taken care of if necessary. Infections will also be avoided through regular check-ups, as they allow your doctor to look for any irregularities that can cause severe loss of vision. Furthermore, contact lenses that haven’t been fitted properly by a doctor will not work well, or worse, might do more damage to your eyesight.

A valid prescription for contact lenses should include your name, the name of your doctor, and the brand and material of your contact lens. Other lens information such as power, diameter, and base curves should also be included. These are the minimum that should be in a prescription, but some detailed prescriptions also have directions for use, indications for daily or extended wear, the number of refills allowed, and an expiration date. These all depend on the local laws of the state you’re in, as state laws often define the requirements for a prescription.

Internet stores sometimes make inquiries and check the prescription with your doctor. If they receive a verbal okay, they have already complied with the Federal prescription device regulations. If the stores do not check, then they have not received a valid prescription for the contact lenses. A written prescription may also be required and presented; again, this is depending on the local state laws.

Now, purchasing contact lenses over the phone, by mail, or from the Internet does not necessarily mean you’re breaking the law. This means, however, that the store is selling you those contact lenses as if they were an OTC (over the counter) product. This will be in violation of FDA regulations. Some Internet companies allow customers to fill out important details in a form, like information about your prescription, your doctor’s name and contact number.

Choose a reliable and well-established store when buying contact lenses. Get the manufacturer’s written patient information for the lenses you buy, which is important for getting risk/benefit information and user instructions. Be wary of stores where they attempt to exchange a different brand from the one you are using right now. Different brands of contact lenses have different water content and shapes. When you get the lenses, check to see if the store gave you the exact brand, lens name, power, sphere, cylinder and axis (if any), diameter, base curve, and peripheral curve (if any). In cases where you received the incorrect lenses, contact your doctor immediately and get his approval first before using them.