How to order your contact lenses online

Before you start shopping, you’ll need one important item: A valid, unexpired contact lens prescription given to you by your eye doctor. Even if you had a contact lens prescription at some point in the past, a prescription typically expires after one year, so you’ll need to schedule an annual eye exam if your prescription is expired.

Remember: Contact lens prescriptions are different from eyeglass prescriptions, with specific measurements that ensure the lenses fit your eyes correctly.

1. Have your prescription ready

Make sure you have a copy of your prescription handy, whether it’s a digital copy or a hard copy. You will need to enter several specific numbers during the checkout process.

2. Select your lenses

Navigate to the product page of the website you’re purchasing your lenses from and look for your specific brand of lenses. Make sure to select the exact product name, as many brands have variations that can be similar and easy to confuse.

3. Fill in your prescription

Enter the numbers from your prescription carefully. Double-check that you have not swapped the right and left eye measurements, as they are often different. Select the quantity of boxes you wish to purchase. Buying a six-month or annual supply often gives you better pricing and fewer shipping fees.

Understand contact lens prescriptions

4. Verify your prescription

Legally, online retailers in the United States must verify your prescription. You will typically be asked to either upload a photo of your written prescription and/or provide your eye doctor’s name and phone number. Avoid sites that do not ask for verification. Buying from a site that ignores verification laws intended to protect you calls into question what other safety measures may be skipped or ignored, or if they may be willing to fill the order with a substitute or counterfeit product that could potentially increase the risk of eye infections and corneal damage.

5. Review and check out

Before finalizing the purchase, review your cart one last time. Confirm the brand, powers, and quantities. Check the estimated shipping time to ensure you won’t run out of lenses before your new supply arrives.

Check for verification compliance

A trustworthy retailer will always ask for your prescription information. If a site claims you can order "without a prescription" or "no verification needed," avoid it. This is a red flag that they are not following federal regulations designed to protect your eye health.

Look for secure payment options

Ensure the website uses secure encryption for payment processing. Look for the padlock icon in the browser's address bar or a URL starting with "https."

Read return and exchange policies

Sometimes errors happen, or a box arrives damaged. A good retailer will have a clear, consumer-friendly return policy. They should offer replacements for damaged goods and allow returns for unopened, unexpired boxes if your prescription changes.

Consider shipping speed and cost

If you are down to your last pair of lenses, shipping speed matters. Compare shipping costs and delivery estimates. Some retailers offer free shipping on orders over a certain dollar amount or offer subscription services that automate delivery so you never run out.

Use vision insurance

Many online retailers accept vision insurance or Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) funds. Check if the retailer is an in-network provider or if they provide an itemized receipt you can submit for reimbursement.