Many people are finding that stores supplying contact lenses online offer a quick and easy way to buy contacts, whilst also making considerable savings.

While there are many benefits to be realized from the wearing of contact lenses, it is important to remember that wearing contact lens is not something to be taken lightly and it is important to have a regular eye examination undertaken by an eye doctor at least once a year and to consult your eye doctor if you have any problems.

Online stores sell replacement contact lenses online. Before you purchase from them you need to have a valid prescription (prescriptions are usually valid for 12 months) and you should already have worn the lenses for a while without any problems. This applies even if the lenses are just worn for cosmetic purposes.

You should have been given a copy of your prescription, even if you did not ask for it (but it will be on the box of your existing lenses anyway) so ordering contact lenses online is easy. You simply select your lens, the quantity you wish to order and enter the prescription for each eye. You then go to the checkout procedure to complete the purchase.  The best savings will be made by buying larger quantities, particularly with disposable lenses.

U.S. regulations on the sale of contact lenses online require that the seller verifies the prescription with the prescriber before supplying the lenses. As a result you will have to supply the information needed to do this during the checkout process. Usually this will mean registering with the seller so the information is saved for future use. This verification process will delay the order by one business day. You might be able to avoid this by faxing the original prescription or scanning and emailing it.

After this you can just wait for the lenses to arrive. They will be no different to those you could have bought locally but will be considerably cheaper.

So, if you have decided you want to buy contact lenses online you need to decide which of the many sites you will buy from.

We have been looking at the prices charged by reputable sites for contact lenses online and would recommend Lens.com, although we have to say that did feel that their website was not as attractive as those of their competitors. They say:

“On average our customers tell us that our prices are 15% less than any other reputable online vendors. We have also found that our prices are at least 50% less than visiting your local optician or eye care professional’s office”

Even though they charge a 6.5% handling fee and shipping (although if your order is large enough you can use a coupon code to get free shipping) they were still cheaper that their competitors in our survey and they offer a satisfaction guarantee.

Lens.com: Get $25 off on all orders of $249 or more with code FIRST-12HO. Offer expires 05/31/12