Debunking the Myths about buying contact lenses online

Buying contact lenses online is a heavily debated topic. Some people have suggested it's unsafe, but that just isn't true. So, the Vision Direct team decided it's about time we busted the myths about buying online.

Myth: Online retailers don't sell high quality lenses

Response: Reputable online retailers only sell contact lenses that you would find at the opticians. Our entire range is completely safe to use and comfortable to wear including: Acuvue, Focus Dailies, Proclear, Biofinity, SofLens and PureVision, all bought directly from Johnson & Johnson, Ciba Vision, CooperVision and Bausch & Lomb.

Myth: You can't buy lenses without sending in your prescription

Response: It's good idea to have your prescription to hand when buying contact lenses online. Despite this, if you can't find your prescription when you need it and know your prescription off by heart, you can still order. We give you the option to buy contact lenses without showing us your prescription so ordering is as quick and convenient as possible.

If you do want us to check your prescription, we're more than happy to. It might mean your order takes a little longer but then you can get the peace of mind you want. A copy of your contact lens prescription should be supplied by your optician at a contact lens fitting. If you don't have a copy, ask your optician for it, as it's your right to own one.

Whichever option you choose, you should get a new prescription at least every two years as your vision can change considerably in that time.

Myth: You shouldn't buy cheaper contact lenses online

Response: We usually recommend that you buy the contact lenses which have been prescribed to you by your optician. However, if you wear Specsavers easyvision or Boots own brand contact lenses, you won't find these online. What you will find is branded alternatives made by the same manufacturers but with different packaging.

Find your Boots or Specsavers easyvision contact lenses online with our comparison tables and you can use the exact same prescription as you normally do.

Modern contact lenses are designed to be compatible with most eyes, so if you're finding your current wearing pattern doesn't suit you, you can find a suitable equivalent online that's perfectly safe. If your eyes feel tired or dry towards the end of the day, then silicone hydrogel contact lenses could make a difference. These lenses are made from the latest technology and are designed for comfortable wear over a much longer period. For example, 1-Day AcuvueTrueye can be worn for 12-14 hours, whereas traditional soft lenses should only be worn for 8 hours or less.

We advise speaking to your optician first if you're considering changing lenses, just to be on the safe side.

Myth: Contact lenses bought online cause infections

Response: Buying contact lenses online is perfectly safe as reputable retailers do not stock any products that would harm your eyes. Eye infections and complications are more likely to be occur if you don't care for your lenses properly.

For example, people may think it's safe to store their lenses in water, but water contains harmful bacteria which can cause eye infections. It can also cause the lens to change shape, as water does not contain the correct chemicals to preserve it properly. This is why we recommend that you remove your lenses when going for a swim or having a shower.

Other bad habits that can lead to discomfort or infections include not using fresh solution to wash and store monthly lenses and wearing lenses for longer than the recommended time.

Myth: Buying your contact lenses online means you can avoid the hassle of going to your optician

Response: This is actually true for the most part. Ordering online means that you don't need to head down to the opticians every time you need to order, but you should still visit every now and again.

Regular eye tests and check-ups are vital, and we encourage you to consult an optician whenever you have a question about your contact lenses. It's recommended that everybody attends an eye test every two years, or more frequently if advised by their optician.

An eye test can detect more than just the level of visual correction needed for your contact lenses or glasses, opticians can diagnose a number of diseases, some of which do not display obvious symptoms. These include: glaucoma, high blood pressure (hypertension) and diabetes. And remember, there are many ways of getting a free eye test.