Getting your prescription so you can buy contact lenses online.*

*Please see the Important Update below regarding the new contact lens prescription law... The Original Article, prior to January 2004 (below), has been retained.

When you buy contact lenses online you can save quite a bit of money, but by law (in the US), you need a prescription to get them. Most, but not all, states have laws that require your eye care professional to give you your prescription (after your fitting) if you request it. If you would like to buy contact lenses online, you should check the applicable state laws or better yet ask your eye care professional if he/she will release the prescription to you, on request, after prescription and fitting, so you are free to buy contacts online (or anywhere else for that matter).

There are many things to consider when choosing your eye care professionals (optometrist, opthalmologist, optician, etc.). If you intend to save money and buy contact lenses online one of the considerations should be whether your eye care professional is willing to release your prescription to you after your fitting. If you live in one of the states where this is required by law, then they must comply, but some will still be less willing to release your prescriptions than others, so it is really best to look into this when you choose you eye care professional for your contact lens prescription.

Most of the states that require your prescription to be released, per your request, do not require the release until the end of the "fitting period". There are good reasons for this and it may be in your best interest (you may not have a choice) to get your initial prescription from your selected eye care professional. After the exam, fitting period and any necessary follow-ups though, you should have the option to get your prescriptions refilled wherever you choose and wherever you find the best prices and service.

Select a cooperative eye care professional to buy contact lenses online.

If you get your prescription in one of the states that do not require the prescription release, per your request, and you have not verified that your eye care professional is willing to release your prescription, then you will need to buy contacts from him or her.

Even if you get your prescription in one of the states that requires the prescription release, per your request, it is best to find an eye care professional that is willing and cooperative regarding the prescription release. If your eye doctor has an interest in refilling your prescription, for the additional contact sales rather than for any medical or physical reasons, they may be uncooperative and it could still be difficult to get your prescription.

Additional Site References and Recommended Suppliers:

Discount Contact Lenses : Acuvue Contacts

Buying Contact Lenses Online... Getting your prescription so you can buy contact lenses online. [Additional Contact Lens Articles...]

*Important Update*

On December 6th 2003, President Bush signed into law an act that gives the 36 million Americans who wear contact lenses the right to a copy of their contact lens prescriptions. This new contact lens presctiption law becomes effective on February 4th, 2004.

See the following article for more infpormation: Contact Lens Prescription Law - The Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act