Be a wise consumer if you buy contact lenses on the Internet, over the phone or by mail. Getting these products through the mail or from Internet shops are often convenient and practical, but as always; it's a wise decision to proceed with caution when purchasing items through these methods. I have gathered some important hints and tips to guide you when making your next purchase.

You should always have a up-to-date, correct prescription when you order contact lenses. This is a must. Never buy or order contact lenses with an expired prescription. You must have had a check-up within the last 1 or 2 years; or else you may have problems with your eyes that you are not aware of. In these cases, your contact lenses may not correct your vision well.

Ordering lenses without a up-to-date and legitimate prescription may cause serious complications to your eyesight. This also goes for the check-up. The fit of your contact lenses will be reevaluated, and any changes in the cornea from the contact lenses will be observed and taken care of if necessary. During regularly scheduled visits, your eye doctor looks for irregularities that, if left untreated, may lead to severe problems. Contact lenses that are not properly fitted by an eye doctor might not work well, or even worse, may harm your eyes.

The minimum elements of a legitimate prescription usually include your name and the doctor's name along with the contact lens brand name and material. Other lens information such as power, diameter, and base curves should also be included. These are the minimum that should be in a prescription, but some detailed prescriptions also have directions for use, indications for daily or extended wear, the number of refills allowed, and an expiration date. These all depend on the local laws of the state you're in, as state laws often define the requirements for a prescription.

Some Internet sites ask for information about your doctor so that they may check the prescription with your doctor. If they do check with your doctor and receive a verbal okay, they have already complied with the Federal prescription device regulations. If the company does not check, then they have not obtained a legitimate prescription. A written prescription may also be required and presented; again, this is depending on the local state laws.

You won't get into any legal trouble if you buy contact lenses by mail, phone, or through the Internet without a legitimate prescription. This means, however, that the store is selling you those contact lenses as if they were an OTC (over the counter) product. This is a violation of the Federal prescription device regulation. Some Internet companies allow customers to fill out important details in a form, like information about your prescription, your doctor's name and contact number.

Choose a reliable and well-established store when buying contact lenses. Get the manufacturer's written patient information for the lenses you buy, which will give you important risk/benefit information, as well as instructions for use. Beware of attempts to substitute a different brand than you presently have. Different brands of contact lenses have different water content and shapes. Carefully check to make sure the company gives you the exact brand, lens name, power, sphere, cylinder and axis (if any), diameter, base curve, and peripheral curve (if any). If you think you have gotten an incorrect lens, check with your eye doctor.