Buying contact lenses online
Discussion
My optician will not post me anymore contact lenses because my check up is overdue. I’m currently abroad and will not be able to get back to the UK for several months so have decided to buy online in the meantime. Trouble is I’m trying to buy some here: www.contactlenses.co.uk/ but as part of the online buying process they are asking me for my optician’s contact details. So I assume they’re going to contact my optician before shipping the lenses to see if it’s OK to send them. At which point I also assume my optician will tell them not to send the lenses because my check up is overdue. Catch 22. 
Does anyone know if they actually check every order with the optician? If so how can I get my hands on some lenses?
The irony is my optician says they won’t send me anymore lenses until I’ve had my check up for health and safety reasons. However, if they don’t send me anymore lenses and I can’t source any elsewhere I’ll just carry on wearing my current pair (the only pair I have left now). They’re monthly disposables and I’ve already been wearing them 2 months. Surely this is more risky than just sending me a couple of extra pairs to be going on with until I can get back to the UK for a check up
?
Does anyone know if they actually check every order with the optician? If so how can I get my hands on some lenses?
The irony is my optician says they won’t send me anymore lenses until I’ve had my check up for health and safety reasons. However, if they don’t send me anymore lenses and I can’t source any elsewhere I’ll just carry on wearing my current pair (the only pair I have left now). They’re monthly disposables and I’ve already been wearing them 2 months. Surely this is more risky than just sending me a couple of extra pairs to be going on with until I can get back to the UK for a check up
? www.visiondirect.co.uk
I have used them in the past and they have been very good. As long as you know your prescription it shouldn't be a problem.
I have used them in the past and they have been very good. As long as you know your prescription it shouldn't be a problem.
Mrs Fish said:
www.visiondirect.co.uk
I have used them in the past and they have been very good. As long as you know your prescription it shouldn't be a problem.
Thanks! I'll give them a try. Did they ask for your opticians details too?
There is no irony, they CANNOT supply without doing a check up, deep doodoo if you subsequently found out to have a problem, that the check up would have missed.
Onus is on you to get the check up for your own eyecare /screening benefit, plus just wear your glasses until you get the new pairs. Contact lense are purely vanity (unless doing sports)
(that is speaking as someone who gets free lenses, but can't be arsed to wear them and wears glasses instead.
B
Onus is on you to get the check up for your own eyecare /screening benefit, plus just wear your glasses until you get the new pairs. Contact lense are purely vanity (unless doing sports)
(that is speaking as someone who gets free lenses, but can't be arsed to wear them and wears glasses instead.
B
I've used both the above suppliers and I don't think either of them actually checked with my opticians before sending me my order. I think they require to have them on file by law so you can't sue them if you have a problem.
I'm going for a check up tomorrow so I'll ask him then if he was contacted (sorry, bad pun
)
I'm going for a check up tomorrow so I'll ask him then if he was contacted (sorry, bad pun
)
bjwoods said:
Contact lense are purely vanity (unless doing sports)
and again! I wear contacts because they allow me to see like every normal 20:20 visoned person. Glasses annoy the hell out of me as they steam up, don't give you peripheral vision, can't wear them swimming, can't wear normal sunglasses etc etc.t1grm said:
<a href="http://www.visiondirect.co.uk">www.visiondirect.co.uk</a>
I have used them in the past and they have been very good. As long as you know your prescription it shouldn't be a problem.
Thanks! I'll give them a try. Did they ask for your opticians details too?
I don't recall ever telling them who my optician was, but I am going back several years now, as I use Contact lenses by post with D&A.
I keep thinking about trying contacts - what's generally thought to be the healthiest option? daily disposables?
I did attempt to try some about 10 years ago, but couldn't get used to putting them in
I also got put off by these reports of bacteria living on the lens and damaging the eye 
Is this only a problem with monthly lenses?
I did attempt to try some about 10 years ago, but couldn't get used to putting them in
I also got put off by these reports of bacteria living on the lens and damaging the eye Is this only a problem with monthly lenses?AJLintern said:I've been using monthly disposables for 10 years now and have never had a problem -touches wood-. I think as long as you're careful and stick to a routine you should be ok.
I keep thinking about trying contacts - what's generally thought to be the healthiest option? daily disposables?
I did attempt to try some about 10 years ago, but couldn't get used to putting them in
I always buy a new bottle of solution each month which comes with a new lens case. I take my lenses out early evening to give my eyes a rest and always wash my hands before handling the lenses too.
Daily disposals for sure...
I used to have the monthly lenses, have to clean them everynight, which only takes a minute, but it's still a chore ...
Dailies are great, keep them in until going to bed, pop them out just before going to sleep, new ones the next day. Fair bit more expensive though; I was paying £10 p/m for monthly lenses through Specsavers, dailies are £32.50 for 30 pairs. I only wear mine at weekends though so it works out roughly the same.
It took me about a week to get used to putting them in. Sometimes it would take half an hour and very red eyes. No problems now though. I *much* prefer wearing them, but cannot wear them sat at a computer all day.
I used to have the monthly lenses, have to clean them everynight, which only takes a minute, but it's still a chore ...
Dailies are great, keep them in until going to bed, pop them out just before going to sleep, new ones the next day. Fair bit more expensive though; I was paying £10 p/m for monthly lenses through Specsavers, dailies are £32.50 for 30 pairs. I only wear mine at weekends though so it works out roughly the same.
It took me about a week to get used to putting them in. Sometimes it would take half an hour
and very red eyes. No problems now though. I *much* prefer wearing them, but cannot wear them sat at a computer all day.
I pay $38 for a 90 day supply of soflens through these guys.
www.coastalcontacts.com
With the Ex rate the way it is - you're looking at 20 quid for a 3 month supply.
www.coastalcontacts.com
With the Ex rate the way it is - you're looking at 20 quid for a 3 month supply.
Check out places on the Chanmnel Islands - they don't ask for any paperwork.
Bonus thought: I had a feeling my lenses (prescribed by local myopic village optician) were too strong. By buying them online, I've gradually reduced my prescription by about 30% - and can still shoot a fly's eyebrows at 40 yards. They're more comfortable too.
Bonus thought: I had a feeling my lenses (prescribed by local myopic village optician) were too strong. By buying them online, I've gradually reduced my prescription by about 30% - and can still shoot a fly's eyebrows at 40 yards. They're more comfortable too.
juice said:
I pay $38 for a 90 day supply of soflens through these guys.
<a href="http://www.coastalcontacts.com">www.coastalcontacts.com</a>
With the Ex rate the way it is - you're looking at 20 quid for a 3 month supply.
Per eye
, so $80 or £43 ... still very cheap. My 1 day Acuvue would be $128 or £69 plus delivery ... However, if you go on their UK site, a 30 day supply becomes £30.50 plus £4.99 delivery, so dearer than Lensway.
Do you get them delivered to the UK from the US? If so, what's their delivery charge?
>> Edited by .Flyer on Friday 8th April 12:46
I use www.getlenses.com/index.jsp for my daily disposables. Filled in the details (Boots opticians) with an address for them and my details (copied what was on the side of the box I got from the opticians last time). I don't beleive they contacted the optomitrist (spelling?) at all. Cost me £59 for 90 pairs.
I used to wear contacts, monthlies, and miss them. what I don't miss:-
1. That split second feeling when you know realise you forgot to wash your hand (nicotine really stings!)
2. As above but when you realise you forgot to empty stage 1 and use stage 2 (
feck, feck, feckfeckfeckfeckfeck....)
3. conjunctivitis. I was fine for a few years but then started to get it all the time and had to stop wearing them. By that time my glasses were 2 prescriptions old and so i had to buy some new ones £200 was too much to throw away and so out went the lenses.
4. £25 per month on potions and lenses
1. That split second feeling when you know realise you forgot to wash your hand (nicotine really stings!)
2. As above but when you realise you forgot to empty stage 1 and use stage 2 (
feck, feck, feckfeckfeckfeckfeck....) 3. conjunctivitis. I was fine for a few years but then started to get it all the time and had to stop wearing them. By that time my glasses were 2 prescriptions old and so i had to buy some new ones £200 was too much to throw away and so out went the lenses.
4. £25 per month on potions and lenses
I use either
www.lensway.com/uk/
or
www.contactlenses.co.uk/
both good and loads cheaper than the shops
Cheers
Michael
www.lensway.com/uk/
or
www.contactlenses.co.uk/
both good and loads cheaper than the shops
Cheers
Michael
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