FAQ about ordering contacts online

1. Online contact lens vendors are offering cheap or even free online exams to renew your prescription. Can these be trusted?

As of right now, these online exams are legal in only some states in the USA. They are performing 2 simple tests of your vision, and not a full eye exam you would normally get with your local eye doctor. The online exam, using your smartphone, may miss critical eye conditions or even potentially blinding eye diseases.

2. What happens if my eyes bother me after buying my contacts?

Medical issues are not always easy to treat, and may be costly in terms of medical visits and eye drops. There is increased resistance to antibiotics, making it harder to treat eye-related infections. The importance of an annual eye evaluation for contact wearers is to prove that you are okay to wear contacts again.

3. Why does my eye doctor charge for eye exam every year, even if my prescription hasn’t changed? 

You are paying for a professionally licensed doctor to check your prescription and to verify your eyes are healthy enough to keep wearing contacts. The doctor invested his own time and money to medical instruments and medical knowledge to better serve the patient.

4. When I see my eye doctor for an annual eye exam, what are they checking? 

Your eye doctor may perform keratometry and corneal topography. They also check the eyelid and tear film and ocular surface for any abnormalities. Furthermore, your eye doctor will check your eyes for diseases like glaucoma and cataracts. They will evaluate your retina and can even discover things like tumors and retinal detachments.

5. What if I don’t have time to see my eye doctor?

Let your eye doctor know you want to be reminded for your next appointment. Many offices can send out reminders by text or email way before your exam is due.

6. I just want to order my contacts somewhere else, can I do that?

Yes, you can leave with a contact prescription when your exam is finalized. Sometimes the contact exam takes multiple visits because the doctor will give you diagnostic lenses to try at home first. The eye doctor wants to confirm everything is correct before giving you your prescription. 

7. Are contacts always cheaper online? 

Not necessarily. For example, our office has contact packages with exam and also rebates. When you do the math, it may come out cheaper than what you get online!

Also, beware some websites will show a low price on contacts, only to add extra fees when you checkout.

8. I feel fine in my contacts, but I wonder if there’s something better for me?

Glad you asked. The doctor may know about new contact lens technology. Like getting a new smartphone, your eyes may need an upgrade as well. This is to make sure you’re always feeling fabulous in your contacts throughout the day.