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Saturday, August 31st
2024 Contact Lens Store Reviews
Discount Contacts
- Over two dozen brands of contacts
- Exchanges allowed on unopened boxes within 365 days
- Free shipping on orders over $99
- Insurance accepted as out-of-network for most major carriers
- "A+" rated and accredited by the BBB
- In business for nearly 30 years
Discount Contacts is a reputable and trustworthy contact lens retailer with nearly 30 years of experience. They offer competitive pricing, a wide range of brands, and exceptional customer service. Their standout features include a 365-day exchange policy, out-of-network acceptance of most vision insurance plans, and an innovative Online Vision Test. With an "A+" rating from the BBB and numerous positive customer reviews from repeat customers, Discount Contacts is our first-place pick for your contact lens needs.
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1-800 Contacts
- 4 manufacturers and 11 brands of contacts
- Works as an in-network provider with some vision insurance
- Accepts HSA/FSA
- $20 ExpressExam to renew prescription from home in 10 minutes
- Unlimited timeframe for returns on unopened boxes of contacts
- Free shipping and returns
- 24/7 customer support
- "A+" rated and accredited by the BBB
- In business since 1995
1-800 Contacts, established in 1995 as the industry's first online contact lens store, remains a pioneer in the field. Their customer-first approach is evident through advocacy efforts for telehealth laws and consumer-friendly support around the clock. The site features a wide range of contacts, accepts insurance, offers a $20 virtual ExpressExam for prescription renewal, and boasts an unlimited return policy for unopened boxes. Though Trustpilot reviews reveal some concerns, millions of satisfied customers and positive feedback across other platforms confirm 1-800 Contacts' status as an excellent choice for your next contact lens order.
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Where's the Best Place to Buy Contact Lenses?
Buying contact lenses online offers several advantages that make it a convenient and cost-effective option for many people. You might feel pressured to buy them at the same time as your annual eye exam, but there's something your optometrist might not want you to know: you can probably buy the very same lenses online for up to 70% less than retail when shopping online.
Online retailers often provide a wider selection of contact lens brands, types, and prescription options compared to physical stores. This variety allows customers to find the lenses that best suit their specific needs, whether they require daily disposables, toric lenses for astigmatism, or multifocal options. Plus, you'll enjoy the convenience of doorstep delivery, all from the comfort of your home.
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Contact Lens Store FAQ
With nearly 45 million people in the US alone who wear contacts, the reasons are just as numerous! Some prefer the way they look, while others find them more comfortable for their everyday activities, especially spending time outdoors or exercising. Also, a small percentage of the population struggle to achieve 20/20 vision with glasses but find that contact lenses make it possible.
There are three basic types of lenses: hard, gas permeable, and soft. In the past, more rigid contacts were needed to correct astigmatism, but with advances in technology most users can get the vision correction they need with a more comfortable soft lens. Some contacts are single-use (meaning that you throw them away after you've used them for a day), while others are worn for longer periods and need to be kept in a disinfecting solution overnight. There are even fashion contact lenses to change the look of your eye color or as part of a Halloween costume!
Children can use contact lenses as early as age 8, but many doctors don't recommend them for patients younger than 12 - largely due to concerns about hygiene and injuries when putting them in and removing them. On the other end of the age spectrum, there's no such thing as "too old" for contacts, but you may find yourself needing a more specialized lens that can accommodate presbyopia (not being able to see things up close) or dry eyes
That's an easy one: to save money! Why spend more when you can get the exact same lenses for less? You'll often see new customer discounts of up to 30% off retail prices. And, your optometrist may not be fully stocked on the lenses you need, leaving you waiting for them to be delivered either way.
Most contact lens stores have a satisfaction guarantee that protects you if you somehow receive lenses that are different from your prescription. It's a good idea to check the contacts you get against the prescription you submitted: a simple mistake like changing a plus to a minus or a 3 to an 8 can easily leave you with drastically blurry vision!
In most places, it's required by law to have a prescription to dispense contact lenses. Prescriptions are typically valid for a year, so you may want to keep an eye on the calendar and reorder your new contacts right before yours expires. Some retailers have an online tool that will check your vision, send your results to an optometrist, and update your prescription - often at no charge! If you don't have a complicated prescription and don't think your vision has changed much since your last in-person exam, this could be a convenient option.
Sometimes. Not every online retailer of contacts will accept vision insurance. If you have a plan with VSP, Cigna, MetLife or another provider, you may want to choose a contact lens store that will apply your benefits to your purchase.
Absolutely. Many of them have been in business for decades. If you want extra reassurance that the retailer you're considering is a good option, be sure to look at their rating from the Better Business Bureau along with reviews from previous customers.
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Purchasing contact lenses online can also save you both time and money. Online retailers frequently offer competitive pricing and discounts, making it possible to find lenses at lower prices than in brick-and-mortar stores. Additionally, online shopping eliminates the need for trips to physical stores, saving you time and reducing the hassle of scheduling appointments or waiting in long lines.
The convenience of online shopping also allows customers to reorder their contact lenses with ease. Many online retailers offer subscription services, ensuring that you will receive your lenses regularly without having to remember to reorder. This helps maintain good eye health by reducing the risk of running out of lenses or wearing them for too long.
Want to know which contact lenses are best? Online retailers often provide detailed product information and customer reviews, helping you make an informed decision about which contact lenses to choose. This information helps you find the best fit and comfort for their eyes, as well as to learn about the latest lens technologies and innovations.
Curious if contact lenses suit you? Perhaps your previous attempt several years ago wasn't a comfortable fit, but fear not. Technological advancements now allow many people who need vision correction to wear contacts comfortably, even after past setbacks. Soft lenses for astigmatism and presbyopia are even available, surpassing the days of rigid or gas permeable options for corrective measures.
You can easily discover the wide array of options you have online. Are multifocal contacts as a substitute for glasses? Absolutely. Daily lenses for single-use convenience? You bet. It might take some experimentation to find your ideal prescription and lens type, but the perks of contacts can far outweigh traditional eyeglasses. There's no getting caught in the rain and feeling like you need mini windshield wipers or going blind into the ocean because you left your prescription glasses up by your towel.
If you're considering buying your contact lenses online, you'll need to decide which contact lens store to use. There are a bunch of them out there, some with more name recognition than others. Here are a few criteria you can use to evaluate both the big-name retailers and the lesser-known ones:
- Selection. Opt for stores with an extensive range of brands and lens types, especially if your prescription is complicated.
- Ease of use. Can you quickly locate your specific contacts (by brand or by style)? The best contact lens stores make it easy to verify if your selection matches your prescription.
- Price. Calculate the cost per box and look for discounts when ordering multiple boxes at once. Beware of sneaky "processing/handling" fees during checkout.
- Benefits. Some retailers go above and beyond to enhance your buying experience. Explore options like online prescription verification exams or automatic refill schedules for discounts, so you never run out of lenses.
- Returns and refunds. What if you order a year's supply of contacts and your prescription changes? The best contact lens retailers give you an ample window to return unopened boxes for an exchange or refund.
- Reputation. Check customer reviews and ratings from the Better Business Bureau and elsewhere to gauge the retailer's track record for customer service, on-time delivery, in-stock inventory, and so on.
For a comprehensive review of top-notch online contact lens retailers, check out our research here at Top Consumer Reviews. We're sure this evaluation will help you to get your contacts quickly and cost-effectively, ensuring crystal-clear and comfortable vision for the long haul!
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