Contact Lenses to Order

Contact lens retailers carry lenses for different prescriptions, replacement schedules, and wearing routines. Your order should match the exact brand, design, and parameters listed on your current contact lens prescription.

• Daily Disposable Lenses
  These lenses are worn once and discarded at the end of the day. They're a convenient choice for occasional wearers, travelers, and anyone who prefers a fresh pair without cleaning or storage.
• Biweekly Contact Lenses
  Biweekly lenses are replaced every two weeks when worn according to the prescribed schedule. They must be removed, cleaned, disinfected, and stored after each day of use.
• Monthly Contact Lenses
  Monthly lenses are reusable for up to one month after opening. They may suit regular wearers who can follow a consistent cleaning and replacement routine.
• Toric Contact Lenses
  Toric lenses correct astigmatism and include additional prescription values such as cylinder and axis. Their unique design helps the lens stay properly positioned for stable vision.
• Multifocal Contact Lenses
  These lenses contain multiple focusing zones to help people with presbyopia see at near, intermediate, and far distances. The prescription may include an add power or a manufacturer-specific design option.
• Colored Contact Lenses
  Colored lenses enhance or change the appearance of the iris and may include vision correction or zero-power plano values. Both types require a valid prescription and proper fitting.
• Rigid Gas-permeable Lenses
  These firm, reusable lenses can provide sharp vision and may be prescribed for certain refractive errors or corneal shapes. Their care requirements and replacement timing differ from those of soft contacts.
• Specialty Contact Lenses
  Specialty options may include scleral, hybrid, colored, or custom-made lenses for more complex vision or eye conditions. Availability online is most likely limited, and these products require detailed fitting instructions from an eye care professional.

The brand on your contact lens prescription identifies a specific lens, not just a name. Each product has its own material, base curve, diameter, edge design, moisture technology, and oxygen performance. Two lenses can have the same power but still fit differently, move differently on the eye, or feel less comfortable.

Ordering the exact prescribed brand ensures the lenses match the fit your eye care professional already evaluated. A similar-looking or lower-priced substitute may not provide the same vision or wearing experience. Switch to another brand only after your eye care professional checks the new lens and updates your prescription

When ordering contact lenses, compare every field on the product page with your current prescription. Small errors can lead to the wrong lenses or delay prescription verification.

Brand and Product Name

Order the exact contact lens listed on your prescription. A different lens with the same power may use another material, shape, or design.

Right and Left Eye Values

Contact lens prescriptions list the right eye as OD and the left eye as OS. Check each side separately so you don't enter the values in the wrong fields.

Sphere Power

The sphere, sometimes labeled PWR or SPH, shows the amount of vision correction needed. Include the plus or minus sign exactly as written.

Base Curve

The base curve, or BC, relates to the shape of the lens. Match both your prescription and the available product option when placing your order

Diameter

The diameter, shown as DIA, measures the width of the contact lens. Don't assume that a slightly different diameter is interchangeable.

Cylinder and Axis

Toric lenses for astigmatism include CYL and AXIS values in addition to sphere power. Both must match the prescription for the lens to provide the intended correction.

Add Power

Multifocal and bifocal contact lenses may include an ADD value or a manufacturer-specific option such as low, medium, or high. Select the wording shown on your prescription.

Additional Design Details

Some lenses require information such as a dominant eye, near or distance designation, or a specific fitting code. Enter these details only as prescribed.

Prescription Expiration Date

Make sure the prescription is still valid before ordering. An expired prescription needs to be renewed through an eye exam.

Prescriber Information

Have your eye care professional's name and contact details ready if you aren't uploading a copy of the prescription. The retailer may need this information to complete verification.

When you order contact lenses online, the retailer needs to confirm that the lenses match a valid contact lens prescription. You upload a copy of the prescription during checkout or enter your eye care professional's contact information so the retailer can request the verification directly.

The retailer checks details such as the brand, product name, power, base curve, diameter, and any toric or multifocal values. Your prescription must be current and match the lenses in your order. If the information is incomplete, expired, or different from the selected product, the order may be placed on hold until the issue is resolved.

Entering every prescription field exactly as written can help prevent delays. Note your eye care professional's phone number and office details in case the retailer needs to contact them.

The right number of boxes depends on the lens replacement schedule, the quantity in each box, and whether both eyes use the same prescription.

Check how many lenses are in each box.

Box quantities vary by product. A box of daily lenses may contain 30 or 90 lenses, while reusable lenses may come in packs of three or six.

Choose how long you want the supply to last.

Decide whether you're ordering a one-month, three-month, six-month, or annual supply. Use the replacement schedule approved by your eye doctor to work out how many lenses you'll need for that period.

Account for both eyes.

One lens is needed for each eye every day. A 30-count box of daily contacts provides a 30-day supply for one eye, not both eyes.

Check whether your prescriptions match.

If both eyes use identical prescription values, you may be able to use lenses from the same boxes. Different powers or parameters require separate boxes for the right and left eyes.

Factor in the replacement schedule.

Daily disposables require a new pair each day. Biweekly and monthly lenses use fewer lenses over the same period, provided they're cleaned, stored, and replaced as directed.

Consider how frequently you wear contacts.

Someone who wears lenses only a few days a week may need fewer boxes than one who wears contacts every day. Estimate your actual wearing days rather than assuming daily use.

Look at rebates and quantity requirements.

Some discounts require a six-month or annual supply. Check how many boxes are needed to qualify, and compare the final cost before increasing your order.

Avoid stocking up with an expiring prescription.

Make sure your prescription will remain valid long enough to complete the purchase and deplete your stock. Your eye care professional may also change your lens or prescription at your next exam.

If your left and right eyes have different prescription values, you'll usually need separate boxes for each eye. Enter the OD values for the right eye and the OS values for the left eye exactly as they appear on your prescription. Check the power, base curve, diameter, and any cylinder, axis, or add values before completing the order.

Different prescriptions also determine how many boxes you need. A six-count box may provide a six-month supply for one eye when using monthly lenses, while daily disposables require enough lenses for every wearing day. Label the boxes by eye when they arrive so you don't accidentally switch them during use.

Compare the full supply, box quantity, replacement schedule, and checkout total before deciding which option gives you better value.

• Check how many lenses are in each box. Contact lens boxes can contain different quantities, even when the prices look similar. A larger box may cost more upfront but provide a longer supply.
• Calculate the price per lens. Divide the box price by the number of lenses included. This makes it easier to compare products with different pack sizes.
• Compare the same supply period. Work out the cost for three months, six months, or one year. Comparing one box of daily lenses with one box of monthly lenses won't give you an accurate picture.
• Include both eyes in the total. Separate boxes may be required when your right and left eyes have different prescriptions. Make sure the final estimate covers the full supply for both eyes.
• Factor in the replacement schedule. Daily lenses require a fresh pair for every wearing day. Biweekly and monthly lenses use fewer lenses, but you would need cleaning solutions and a storage case.
• Check for rebates and box requirements. Some savings apply only when you purchase a specific number of boxes. Check the terms and calculate the price after the rebate rather than assuming the full discount applies.
• Add shipping and handling fees. A lower product price may become more expensive after delivery charges are included. Compare the final checkout total whenever possible.
• Consider how often you wear contacts. Daily disposables are practical for occasional use, while reusable lenses may cost less for frequent wear. Base the estimate on your actual routine.
• Avoid switching products based on price alone. A cheaper lens isn't automatically interchangeable with the one on your prescription. Order the exact prescribed product unless your eye care professional approves a change.

The delivery of your contact lens order may be delayed when the prescription is expired, incomplete, or doesn't match the product selected at checkout. Common issues include entering the wrong power, mixing up the right and left eye values, or choosing a different brand from the one written on the prescription. Missing eye care professional details can also slow down verification.

Availability can also cause delays. Certain powers, toric parameters, multifocal designs, and specialty lenses may be backordered or require additional processing. Payment problems, an incorrect shipping address, or missing order information can create further delays.

Before submitting the order, check every prescription field and make sure your contact information is accurate. Uploading a clear copy of the prescription and ordering before your current supply runs out can help prevent unnecessary interruptions.

Ordering contacts online is straightforward when every detail matches your prescription. Take note of these mistakes so you can avoid them.

• Using a glasses prescription
  Eyeglass and contact lens prescriptions aren't interchangeable. Contact lens prescriptions include product-specific details such as the brand, base curve, and diameter.
• Ordering a different brand without approval
  Two lenses with the same power may still differ in material, shape, and fit. Choose the exact product listed on your prescription unless your eye care professional approves a change.
• Mixing up the right and left eyes
  OD refers to the right eye, while OS refers to the left. Compare each value carefully, especially when the two eyes have different prescriptions.
• Leaving out the plus or minus sign
  Entering +2.00 instead of -2.00 changes the prescription completely. Copy the sphere power exactly as written.
• Skipping toric or multifocal details
  Astigmatism lenses require cylinder and axis values, while multifocal contacts include an add power or design option. Missing fields can lead to the wrong lenses or delay verification.
• Choosing the wrong box quantity
  Check how many lenses come in each box and how long the supply will last. Remember that separate prescriptions usually require boxes for each eye.
• Ordering with an expired prescription
  Retailers can't complete an order without a valid prescription. Check the expiration date before you run low on lenses.
• Entering outdated prescriber information
  Incorrect clinic details can slow down prescription verification. Use the current phone number and address for your eye care professional.
• Waiting until your last pair is in use
  Verification, backorders, and shipping can take time. Reorder early enough to avoid running out.
• Choosing price over prescription accuracy
  A cheaper lens isn't automatically a suitable substitute. Compare costs only among products your eye care professional has prescribed or approved.

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