Are you new to wearing contacts? Or are you a seasoned, frequent contact lens wearer? Either way, you must know what to look for before purchasing your new lenses. These five things will help ensure that you get the best product and value for your money.

  1. Make sure the lenses and box match up
    More than one-way companies can scam customers by selling “knock-off” contact lenses that don’t meet FDA standards and safety guidelines. This may be done by selling expired or counterfeit products; selling different products in the same box (i.e., both color tinted and clear lenses); selling lenses on TV or internet sight unseen; not disclosing that different colorations make a difference in vision (i.e., color violet or purple will not allow for colors to be noticed, while brown will allow the wearer to see colors); and/or selling products without proper instruction. If you are ordering online, always check product standards before making your purchase. This information should be clearly stated, indicating what the contacts can correct, how they change the appearance of eyes, etc.
  2. Make sure the size of contact fits
    Many companies believe that bigger is better for sales, but this isn’t true when talking about wearing contact lenses. Sizing has changed over the years, with most manufacturers moving away from rounder lens designs in favor of more oval shapes. This means that your lenses should more closely fit the shape of your eye, or you run the risk of poor vision and even abrasion during blink periods.
  3. Get contacts that suit your prescription
    Contacts are generally ordered based on the sphere (SPH), cylinder (CYL), and axis (AXIS). If you have astigmatism, it is recommended to look for contact lenses with at least 90% of astigmatism included in one lens. This will make wearing contacts much easier because astigmatism-corrected contacts are extremely difficult to find due to the scarcity of corrective power options available. Additionally, ask about adding prism correction. Prisms can be used for nearsightedness, farsightedness, and/or astigmatism.
  4. Consider your lifestyle
    Do you wear Contact Lenses Colors every day? On occasion? Do you swim or participate in other activities where contact lenses could become damaged or lost? If you don’t usually wear contacts, it may be more advantageous to purchase daily disposable contacts instead of a 2-week or monthly supply. Similarly, if you are an active individual, you’ll want to consider purchasing a more rugged lens type that is less likely to be damaged during sports or outdoor activities.
  5. Compare prices and features
    Just as with anything else in life, not all Contact Lenses Colors are created equal. Some offer more features than others, like UV protection, tinted coloration, etc. In addition, some companies offer a wider selection of performance lenses, while others specialize in cosmetic Lenses Colors only. Be educated about which features you want and need before making a purchase.