Firstly ordering online is a fantastic decision, you'll
be saving yourself bundles of cash compared to your local
optical store (around 70%). Apart from ordering well in
advance before you run out of your current supply you need a few
important items before you order online. Most of which you should
already have and they will be asked for during the ordering process.
Firstly you need a contact lens prescription, these are
different from an eye glasses prescription as your eyes are
specifically measured for a contact lens fitting. Your prescription can
be found on the box if you've ordered lenses before. Otherwise your eye
care professional will provide you with it in written
form. They are obliged to release it to you free of charge
(you would have to pay for the exam and fitting). Once you
have your prescription and you've chosen the online store to purchase
from you will be asked to input your prescription when
ordering. You can translate your prescription as follows:
- OS - Left eye
- OD - Right eye
- OU - Both eyes (When both eyes
have the same prescription)
- PWR - Power (-20.00 to +20.00)
- BC - Base curve (8.00 to 10.00)
- DIA - Diameter (13.00 to 15.00)
- BRAND - The brand and name
of contact lens
- COLOR - (Optional) Any tints,
enhancers or opaque contacts
- ADD - Additional correction for
bifocal lenses (+1.00 to +3.00)
- CYL - Cylinder correction for
astigmatic's (-0.75 to -10.00) (Toric lenses)
- AXIS - Axis correction for
astigmatic's (0 to 180) (Toric lenses)
Your prescription won't necessarily have all this information as some
of it only applies to people who have certain
sight difficulties (astigmatism) or those who require
a bifocal lens. Your prescription should clearly show this information
for you to simply copy it over when you order.
In addition to your prescription you need the name of
the prescribing doctor or clinic together with where they are
so they can be contacted to verify your prescription. A phone number
would be convenient for quicker shipping but not totally necessary.
Once your order is placed the online vendor will contact the eye care
facility for verification of your prescription. Your doctor or
clinic are legally obliged to do this free of charge within 8
hours of the request. If they fail to verify the prescription then it's
considered valid and your order will be processed and shipped.
Through the ordering process you'll be told if you're
lenses are in stock and how long they'll take to arrive and
which shipping option you've chosen. Check out our reviews for many
free shipping coupons to save money here. Your
order will be the exact same lenses you would have bought from
your local optical store but at a fraction of the price.
