Buyer’s Guide to Contact Lenses
Be a wise consumer if you buy contact lenses on the Internet, over the phone or by mail. Getting these products through the mail or from Internet shops are often convenient and practical, but as always; Internet, phone, or mail orders require consumers to exercise some caution. The following questions and answers should help you take simple precautions to make your Internet, phone or mail purchase safe and effective for you.
You should always have a updated, correct prescription when you order contact lenses. This is a must. Never order lenses with a prescription that has expired. You must have had a check-up within the last 1 or 2 years; otherwise you might have problems with your eyesight that you’re not immediately aware of. In these cases, your vision may not be properly corrected by your contact lenses.
Ordering lenses without a updated and legitimate prescription may cause serious complications to your eyesight. This also goes for the check-up. The fit of your contact lenses will be reevaluated, and any changes in the cornea from the contact lenses will be observed and taken care of if necessary. During regularly scheduled visits, your eye doctor looks for irregularities that, if left untreated, may lead to severe problems. Contact lenses that are not properly fitted by an eye doctor might not work well, or even worse, may harm your eyes.
The minimum elements of a legitimate prescription usually include your name and the doctor’s name along with the contact lens brand name and material. Lens measurements such as power, diameter and base curve are included. These are the minimum that should be in a prescription, but some detailed prescriptions also have directions for use, whether lenses are for daily or extended wear, the number of refills allowed, and an expiration date. This depends on the state where your doctor practices, as state laws often define the requirements for a prescription.
Internet stores sometimes make inquiries and check the prescription with your doctor. If they receive a verbal okay, they have already complied with the Federal prescription device regulations. If the company does not check, then they have not received a legitimate prescription for the contact lenses. Some state laws require that a written prescription be presented.
You won’t get into any legal trouble if you buy contact lenses by mail, phone, or through the Internet without a legitimate prescription. But the company is selling you a prescription device as if it were an over-the-counter device. This is a violation of the Federal prescription device regulation. Some Internet sites will allow you to fill out a chart with the ordering information about your contact lenses, your doctor’s name and contact number.
Order your contact lenses from a supplier you are familiar with and know is reliable. Get the manufacturer’s written patient information for the lenses you buy, which is important for getting risk/benefit information and user instructions. Beware of attempts to substitute a different brand than you presently have. Different brands of contact lenses have different water content and shapes. When you get the lenses, check to see if the store gave you the exact brand, lens name, power, sphere, cylinder and axis (if any), diameter, base curve, and peripheral curve (if any). If you think you have gotten an incorrect lens, contact your doctor immediately and get his approval first before using them.
Ray Hawkins is a researcher and writer working for http://www.fastcontactlens.com, which is a reliable source for high-quality and affordable contact lens. Visit us for all your contact lens needs.
- Ray Hawkins
