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Friday, November 29th
2024 Contact Lens Store Reviews
Contact Lens King
- Carries most of today's popular contact lens brands from 6 manufacturers (including Bausch & Lomb, Johnson & Johnson, Alcon, and CooperVision)
- Exceptionally low prices
- 30-day returns
- "A+” rated and accredited by the BBB
- Nearly 20,000 five-star reviews
Contact Lens King, a veteran in the contact lens industry since 2004, proudly offers a staggering selection of over 5 million contact lenses. They claim to slash prices by up to 70% compared to local retailers and boast speedy shipping, usually within one business day after verifying your prescription.
Website is easy to shop
Navigating this contact lens store is a breeze, thanks to the user-friendly design. When you hover over the brand links on the left side of the page, specific options pop out, making it a piece of cake to find the contact lenses you need. But don't worry, if you prefer comparing products by image, a simple click will take you to the results.
Best prices for contacts
Now, let's talk dollars and cents. For our comparison item, the Acuvue Oasys 1-Day for Astigmatism, Contact Lens King's pricing is exceptionally affordable, coming in at $45.95 per box in the 30-pack and $107.95 for the 90-pack. And, when we got to the checkout, we were offered a 15% discount if we set up our purchase as an auto-refill; subsequent deliveries would be at the regular retail price.
Costs go up with shipping fees
However, shipping fees raise an eyebrow, starting at $9.95 for USPS First Class and $16.95 for USPS Priority Mail: unlike some competitors, there's no free shipping on larger orders (over $99) here. On the bright side, Contact Lens King doesn't sneak in any processing/handling or insurance fees, so no surprises there. Just be aware that there have been processing fees here off and on over the past few years, and we saw some recent customer reviews mentioning it - but we weren't charged any on our latest order.
Limited return window
Another area where Contact Lens King doesn't keep up with our favorite retailers in the industry? Returns and exchanges. You only have 30 days here to request a refund; if you order an annual supply and your prescription changes five months in, you're stuck with boxes and boxes of contacts you can't wear. Since there's no cost advantage to stocking up, then, we'd recommend that you take advantage of the lower-than-average prices on the lenses for maybe a 1- or 2-month supply at a time (but, of course, then you've got the shipping fees on each order too...)
Almost 20K five-star reviews from happy customers
But here's the silver lining, besides the cost savings: Contact Lens King shines in the reputation department. With an "A+" rating and BBB accreditation, they've nailed the customer service game. Complaints are few, and they've handled them gracefully. Beyond the BBB, we found over 19,000 five-star reviews for Contact Lens King, with an average rating of 4.38 out of 5 stars. Impressive, right?
Worth a look on price alone
At the end of the day, if your bottom line is budget-related, Contact Lens King deserves a nod. The selection of contacts is extensive and the prices are some of the lowest we've seen anywhere. If you think your prescription may change a bit over the next year, you might want to avoid stocking up on your current lenses because of the 30-day limit on returns, but with nearly 20K five-star reviews from very happy customers, Contact Lens King is worth a look.
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Where's the Best Place to Buy Contact Lenses?
Buying contact lenses online offers several advantages that make it a convenient and cost-effective option for many people. You might feel pressured to buy them at the same time as your annual eye exam, but there's something your optometrist might not want you to know: you can probably buy the very same lenses online for up to 70% less than retail when shopping online.
Online retailers often provide a wider selection of contact lens brands, types, and prescription options compared to physical stores. This variety allows customers to find the lenses that best suit their specific needs, whether they require daily disposables, toric lenses for astigmatism, or multifocal options. Plus, you'll enjoy the convenience of doorstep delivery, all from the comfort of your home.
Continue reading below
Contact Lens Store FAQ
With nearly 45 million people in the US alone who wear contacts, the reasons are just as numerous! Some prefer the way they look, while others find them more comfortable for their everyday activities, especially spending time outdoors or exercising. Also, a small percentage of the population struggle to achieve 20/20 vision with glasses but find that contact lenses make it possible.
There are three basic types of lenses: hard, gas permeable, and soft. In the past, more rigid contacts were needed to correct astigmatism, but with advances in technology most users can get the vision correction they need with a more comfortable soft lens. Some contacts are single-use (meaning that you throw them away after you've used them for a day), while others are worn for longer periods and need to be kept in a disinfecting solution overnight. There are even fashion contact lenses to change the look of your eye color or as part of a Halloween costume!
Children can use contact lenses as early as age 8, but many doctors don't recommend them for patients younger than 12 - largely due to concerns about hygiene and injuries when putting them in and removing them. On the other end of the age spectrum, there's no such thing as "too old” for contacts, but you may find yourself needing a more specialized lens that can accommodate presbyopia (not being able to see things up close) or dry eyes
That's an easy one: to save money! Why spend more when you can get the exact same lenses for less? You'll often see new customer discounts of up to 30% off retail prices. And, your optometrist may not be fully stocked on the lenses you need, leaving you waiting for them to be delivered either way.
Most contact lens stores have a satisfaction guarantee that protects you if you somehow receive lenses that are different from your prescription. It's a good idea to check the contacts you get against the prescription you submitted: a simple mistake like changing a plus to a minus or a 3 to an 8 can easily leave you with drastically blurry vision!
In most places, it's required by law to have a prescription to dispense contact lenses. Prescriptions are typically valid for a year, so you may want to keep an eye on the calendar and reorder your new contacts right before yours expires. Some retailers have an online tool that will check your vision, send your results to an optometrist, and update your prescription - often at no charge! If you don't have a complicated prescription and don't think your vision has changed much since your last in-person exam, this could be a convenient option.
Sometimes. Not every online retailer of contacts will accept vision insurance. If you have a plan with VSP, Cigna, MetLife or another provider, you may want to choose a contact lens store that will apply your benefits to your purchase.
Absolutely. Many of them have been in business for decades. If you want extra reassurance that the retailer you're considering is a good option, be sure to look at their rating from the Better Business Bureau along with reviews from previous customers.
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Purchasing contact lenses online can also save you both time and money. Online retailers frequently offer competitive pricing and discounts, making it possible to find lenses at lower prices than in brick-and-mortar stores. Additionally, online shopping eliminates the need for trips to physical stores, saving you time and reducing the hassle of scheduling appointments or waiting in long lines.
The convenience of online shopping also allows customers to reorder their contact lenses with ease. Many online retailers offer subscription services, ensuring that you will receive your lenses regularly without having to remember to reorder. This helps maintain good eye health by reducing the risk of running out of lenses or wearing them for too long.
Want to know which contact lenses are best? Online retailers often provide detailed product information and customer reviews, helping you make an informed decision about which contact lenses to choose. This information helps you find the best fit and comfort for their eyes, as well as to learn about the latest lens technologies and innovations.
Curious if contact lenses suit you? Perhaps your previous attempt several years ago wasn't a comfortable fit, but fear not. Technological advancements now allow many people who need vision correction to wear contacts comfortably, even after past setbacks. Soft lenses for astigmatism and presbyopia are even available, surpassing the days of rigid or gas permeable options for corrective measures.
You can easily discover the wide array of options you have online. Are multifocal contacts as a substitute for glasses? Absolutely. Daily lenses for single-use convenience? You bet. It might take some experimentation to find your ideal prescription and lens type, but the perks of contacts can far outweigh traditional eyeglasses. There's no getting caught in the rain and feeling like you need mini windshield wipers or going blind into the ocean because you left your prescription glasses up by your towel.
If you're considering buying your contact lenses online, you'll need to decide which contact lens store to use. There are a bunch of them out there, some with more name recognition than others. Here are a few criteria you can use to evaluate both the big-name retailers and the lesser-known ones:
- Selection. Opt for stores with an extensive range of brands and lens types, especially if your prescription is complicated.
- Ease of use. Can you quickly locate your specific contacts (by brand or by style)? The best contact lens stores make it easy to verify if your selection matches your prescription.
- Price. Calculate the cost per box and look for discounts when ordering multiple boxes at once. Beware of sneaky "processing/handling" fees during checkout.
- Benefits. Some retailers go above and beyond to enhance your buying experience. Explore options like online prescription verification exams or automatic refill schedules for discounts, so you never run out of lenses.
- Returns and refunds. What if you order a year's supply of contacts and your prescription changes? The best contact lens retailers give you an ample window to return unopened boxes for an exchange or refund.
- Reputation. Check customer reviews and ratings from the Better Business Bureau and elsewhere to gauge the retailer's track record for customer service, on-time delivery, in-stock inventory, and so on.
For a comprehensive review of top-notch online contact lens retailers, check out our research here at Top Consumer Reviews. We're sure this evaluation will help you to get your contacts quickly and cost-effectively, ensuring crystal-clear and comfortable vision for the long haul!
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