Buying contacts online is brilliant, if you know how to make it past the “prescription verification” nonsense.
Note that prescription requirements exists not because the online sellers want it, but because brick and mortar ripoff retail optometry is desperately trying to hang on to their profit margins. It’s actually easy to buy contacts online with no prescription if you know how the silly system works.
Also note, you do want a proper contact lens fitting done at some point. Support whoever does so by paying them for it.
Here’s a few tips on beating the rigged lens subscription system (in the US):
Others to try (as of Feb 2024):
www.393lens.com
6-month supply: $47.45
Biofinity: $23.40
Biofinity Toric: $24.05
Shipping: 0.00 Prescription may be entered but there is no verification Returns limited to unopened boxes prices above based on exchange rate of one Hong Kong Dollar = $0.13.
www.lens.com
6-month supply: $53.70
Biofinity: $12.99
Biofinity Toric: $28.99
Shipping: $7.95
$38.92 processing fee added to 4 boxes of each lens
Prescription may be entered and then verified
4 boxes of each lens required for these prices (through rebate)
Returns limited to unopened boxes
www.visiondirect.co.uk 1
6-month supply: $66.17
Biofinity: $26.04 (3 lenses/box)
Biofinity Toric: $34.72 (3 lenses/box)
Shipping: 5.41 Prescription may be entered but is verified only in the UK Returns limited to unopened boxes prices above based on exchange rate of one pound = $1.08582
www.EZcontacts.com 1
6-month supply: $75.90
Biofinity: $29.95
Biofinity Toric: $45.18
Shipping: $0.00
Prescription may be entered and is not verified
Returns of unopened vials NOT accepted (contrary to what I reported previously)
www.LensDirect.com 2
6-month supply: $82.66
Biofinity: $37.48
Biofinity Toric: $45.18
Shipping: $0.00
Prescription may be entered and then verified
Returns of unopened vials accepted
Referral program: $10/referral, $10 for person referred
www.1800contacts.com 1 (see more expensive option below)
6-month supply: $85.48
Biofinity: $34.24
Biofinity Toric: $51.24
Shipping: $0.00
2 boxes of each lens required (to get rebate through agent)
Prescription may be entered and then verified
It appears that no verification is done
Returns of unopened vials accepted
www.VisionDirect.com
6-month supply: $89.98
Biofinity: $34.99
Biofinity Toric: $54.99
Shipping: $0.00
Prescription may be entered and then verified
Biofinity: $34.99
Biofinity Toric: $49.99
Shipping: $6.95
Prescription may be entered and then verified
Return policy unknown
www.SimpleContacts.com 2 (see more expensive option below)
6-month supply: $93.98
Biofinity: $31.99
Biofinity Toric: $51.99
Shipping: $0.00
Fee of $10.00 for test
4 boxes of each lens required to get rebate
Prescription is entered and verified with self-test
50% credit for opened boxes, even with one lens!
www.contactsdirect.com
6-month supply: $94.98
Biofinity: $37.49
Biofinity Toric: $57.49
Shipping: $0.00
4 boxes of each lens required for these prices (though rebate)
Prescription may be entered and then verified
Returns limited to unopened boxes
www.SaveOnLens.com 1
6-month supply: $95.94
Biofinity: $36.95
Biofinity Toric: $58.99
Shipping: $0.00 ($99 or more)
Prescription is entered but NOT verified
Returns limited to unopened boxes
www.coastal.com
6-month supply: $98.00
Biofinity: $35.00
Biofinity Toric: $63.00
Shipping: $0.00
Prescription may be entered and then verified
Returns limited to unopened boxes
www.walmart.com
6-month supply: $100.00
Biofinity: $45.00
Biofinity Toric: $55.00
Shipping: $0.00
Prescription may be entered and then verified
Returns limited to unopened boxes
www.1800contacts.com 1 (see less expensive option above)
6-month supply: $112.98
Biofinity: $47.99
Biofinity Toric: $64.99
Shipping: $0.00
Prescription may be entered and then verified
It appears that no verification is done
Returns of unopened vials accepted
www.SimpleContacts.com 2 (see less expensive option above)
6-month supply: $113.98
Biofinity: $46.99
Biofinity Toric: $56.99
Fee of $10.00 for test
Prescription is entered and verified with self-test
50% credit for opened boxes, even with one lens!
www.walgreens.com
6-month supply: $117.98
Biofinity: $48.99
Biofinity Toric: $68.99
Shipping: $0.00
Prescription may be entered and then verified
Returns limited to unopened boxes
Depending where you are in the world, you might be able to just buy contact lenses at 7-11 and other convenience stores, no prescription required. Just depends on how much the lens industry spent on lobbying for maximum inconvenience for you, and profit margins for them, wherever you live.
Original post from our Le Meow forum (requires login to view): https://community.endmyopia.org/t/contacts-and-new-lower-diopter/20989/4
Enjoy the hacking of the sheeple system.
Cheers,
-Jake
