Causes of Cataracts

There are real financial considerations for people who wear contact lenses.   There are the contacts themselves, plus the additional costs of eye-care products, eye-drops, solution, eye decongestants, ocular lubricants etc – so it’s hardly surprising that many people are turning to the internet as a cheaper source of buying lenses and related items.

Going online to buy contacts can work out far cheaper than buying from the optometrist of from ‘bricks-and-mortar’ retailers.  An online business usually operates on far lower overheads that mainstream businesses and can pass on the volume discounts to the consumer – meaning products are cheaper over the internet.

But it’s not always plain sailing when it comes to buying lenses online, so follow these simple guidelines to make sure it’s a hassle-free process.

Establish the site’s trustworthiness.  The website that you purchase your lens from must be an authorised re-seller of your brand of contacts, and you must be able to established the site’s authenticity.  Getting  word-of-mouth recommendation from a friend or colleague is often the best referral.

Check the site’s security.  Always check the site’s security settings before handing over any personal data.

Returns and refunds.  Not all online businesses have comprehensive returns and refunds policies, so make sure you’re happy with the sale conditions before making a commitment. 

Local suppliers are often good.  Using a local contacts supplier will reduce delivery costs as well as time.   For example, if you were looking for contacts or sunglasses in Perth or Sydney, you should rather use an Australian supplier not a foreign one .  Also, it’s far easier to sort out any problems if the supplier speaks your language and is in the same time zone – not thousands of miles away!.

Only buy your prescribed brand.  If you don’t stick to your prescribed brand, you may experience eye irritation and other problems.  In many countries eg Australia, there are laws to prevent online suppliers from selling people contact lenses and glasses without seeing the prescription.  Even coloured contact lenses which don’t do any visual correction, require a prescription in many countries.

Shop around.  If you shop around, you may find online suppliers offering special deals, especially if you’re buying in bulk.  If you’re only buying a small quantity, always check whether the lenses supplier will deliver a single box (most like a minimum of three months) and beware of unwittingly committing to a standing re-order..

Tracking your contacts.  It’s often a good idea to purchase contacts from a supplier which has an online tracking system whereby you can see the progress of your order is.

Rebates from private medical insurer or government health departments.  Always check eligibility with your health fund before purchasing any contact lenses online. 

Buy contact lenses online and save time, money and hassle – but remember to keep these simple points in mind to ensure that you always see the light – and don’t see red!.

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