How Many Contact Lenses Should I Buy?

When someone comes to my shop to buy contact lenses, there is always the discussion of how many contacts to buy.  More often than not, the buyer will say "I'll just take a box."   A few months later that same customer will come back, having torn or lost their last contact lens. Upon learning that their special order lenses will take a week or so to come in, they will be upset that they don't have anything and get upset that I don't have an "emergency pair" to give them.  To add to their dilemma, they failed to purchase a backup pair of glasses. This whole dilemma could have been avoided if they had simply taken our recommendation to purchase a years supply.  This is only one of many reasons to purchase in quantity.  Other reasons include:

• Lower Prices-  Most contact lens sellers have discounts or rebates available if your purchase a years supply at one time.  Typically brick and mortar sellers offer mail in rebates.  Online sellers often use instant discounts at the time that you checkout.  Click here for a comparision of discounts available at major online contact lens stores.
• Healthier Eyes- Studies have proven that patients who purchase lenses in quantity are more likely to change their lenses on schedule and less likely to "stretch" their wearing time beyond what the doctor recommends.  Changing lenses on schedule is important to the health of your eyes. 
• Convenience-Purchasing contact lenses in quantity reduces the number of times you need to visit your eye care provider to purchase new lenses as well as the aggravation of not having anything to wear while you are waiting for your new lenses to arrive.

How many boxes is a years supply?  It depends on the type of lens your doctor has prescribed.  If your doctor has prescribed a 2 week lens, a years supply will be 8 boxes.  2 week lenses include most Acuvue lenses and 02 Optix.  If you were prescribed a monthly lens, 4 boxes will last for a year.  Monthly lenses include Purevision, Air Optix, and Proclear.

Should I buy more than a years supply?  While most online sellers will allow you to purchase as many lenses as you want within your prescriptions expiration date, I would only recommend ordering a years supply.  As a licensed optician, I believe it is important to make yearly visits to your eye doctor.  A years supply of contact lenses purchased after your exam will get you through the year until your next vision exam.