What you need before you can buy contact lenses
You cannot walk into a store and buy contact lenses without a prescription from an eye doctor. That prescription is separate from your eyeglasses prescription — it includes measurements specific to your eye's shape and the lens material that works best for you. You will need an exam, and the doctor will write a prescription that includes your power, the base curve, the diameter, and the brand or material.
The prescription is yours to keep and use anywhere, even if you buy from a different retailer than where you got the exam. Some doctors include an expiration date on the prescription (usually one year), and you cannot order lenses after that date passes without a new exam. If your vision has not changed and your eyes are healthy, a new exam is often quick and costs less than a full vision workup.
You will also need to decide what type of lens works for your life: daily disposables (throw away each night), weekly or monthly lenses (require cleaning solution and a case), or specialty lenses for astigmatism, presbyopia, or other conditions. Each type has different costs and maintenance demands.
Key Takeaways
- You must have a current prescription from an eye doctor before ordering contact lenses, and that prescription is yours to use at any retailer.
- Your contact lens prescription is different from your glasses prescription and includes measurements for curve, diameter, and material specific to your eye.
- Daily disposable lenses cost more per lens but require no cleaning; monthly lenses cost less per lens but require daily care with solution and a case.
- Online retailers, big-box stores, and independent optometrists all sell the same brands, so price and shipping speed are the main differences.
- Improper cleaning or sleeping in lenses meant for daily wear can cause infection, so following the care routine for your lens type is not optional.
Getting an eye exam and prescription
Schedule an appointment with an optometrist or ophthalmologist. Optometrists perform routine exams and write prescriptions; ophthalmologists are medical doctors who can also treat eye disease. For a first contact lens exam, expect the appointment to take 45 minutes to an hour. The doctor will test your vision, measure your eye's curvature with a device called a keratometer, and may use a topographer to map the surface of your eye in detail.
During the exam, the doctor will fit you with trial lenses — actual contact lenses in the powers and materials they think will work — so you can see how they feel and perform. You will wear them for a few minutes to a few hours and report back on comfort, clarity, and any irritation. The doctor may adjust the prescription or try a different material based on your feedback. This fitting step is why you cannot straightforward order lenses online without seeing a doctor first.
Ask the doctor for a written copy of your prescription before you leave. Some offices mail it; others hand it to you on the spot. Verify that it includes the power (sphere), astigmatism correction if needed (cylinder and axis), the base curve, the diameter, and the brand or material the doctor recommends. If you plan to order online, confirm the retailer carries that exact brand and material.
Choosing between daily, weekly, and monthly lenses
Daily disposable lenses are worn once and thrown away. You open a fresh pair each morning, wear them all day, and discard them at night. No cleaning solution, no case, no buildup of deposits. The trade-off is cost: daily lenses run roughly $0.50 to $1.50 per lens, which adds up to $30 to $90 per month for a pair of eyes. They are ideal if you travel often, have sensitive eyes, or do not want to manage a cleaning routine.
Weekly and monthly lenses are reusable. You wear the same pair for seven or thirty days, then remove them, clean them with solution, and store them in a case overnight. Each morning you rinse them, insert them, and wear them again. A month's supply of monthly lenses costs $15 to $40 per box, but you must buy solution (roughly $5 to $10 per bottle, lasting two to four weeks) and replace your case every three months. The total monthly cost is usually $20 to $50, making them cheaper per day than daily lenses — but only if you follow the cleaning routine exactly.
Specialty lenses for astigmatism (toric lenses), presbyopia (multifocal lenses), or keratoconus cost more and have fewer brands available. Ask your doctor which type and material will work best for your condition, then check availability and price before committing to a brand.
Where to order and what to expect
You can order contact lenses from online retailers (Coastal, 1-800 Contacts, Clearly), big-box stores (Costco, Walmart, Target), or directly from your eye doctor's office. All of them must verify your prescription before shipping. When you place an order, you will enter your prescription details, and the retailer will contact your doctor's office to confirm it is valid and current. This verification takes one to three business days.
Prices vary by retailer and brand. A box of monthly lenses might cost $25 at one place and $35 at another, so shopping around saves money if you wear the same brand consistently. Online retailers often offer discounts for first-time orders or bulk purchases. Shipping is usually free on orders over a certain amount, or you can pay for expedited shipping if you need lenses quickly.
Once your order ships, expect delivery in three to seven business days for standard shipping. Keep track of when your current lenses run out so you reorder before you run dry. Many retailers let you set up automatic refills on a schedule, which arrives before you need it.
Daily care and storage for reusable lenses
If you wear weekly or monthly lenses, you must clean and store them correctly every single day. Remove the lens, place it in the palm of your hand, and rinse it with fresh solution (never water or saliva). Rub the lens gently with your finger for a few seconds to remove buildup, then place it in a clean case filled with fresh solution. Do not top off old solution in the case — empty it, rinse the case, and fill it with new solution each night.
Replace your lens case every three months, even if it looks fine. Cases harbor bacteria and fungi that can cause serious infections. If you travel or forget your case, buy a new one at a pharmacy or drugstore rather than improvising with a cup or container.
Use only the solution your doctor or eye care professional recommends. Different solutions have different ingredients, and switching brands or using an old solution can cause irritation or infection. If your eyes feel uncomfortable, remove the lenses when ready, clean them thoroughly, and see your doctor before wearing them again.
Warning signs that something is wrong
Stop wearing your lenses and contact your eye doctor right away if you experience redness, pain, blurred vision, discharge, or a feeling that something is stuck in your eye. These can be signs of infection, a scratched cornea, or a lens that has torn or moved out of position. Do not wait for the symptoms to go away on their own — eye infections can cause permanent damage if left untreated.
Never sleep in lenses designed for daily wear, even for a nap. Lenses reduce oxygen flow to your cornea, and sleeping in them overnight increases the risk of infection dramatically. If you occasionally fall asleep with your lenses in, remove them as soon as you wake up, clean them thoroughly, and give your eyes a break for a few hours before putting in a fresh pair.
If you develop an infection or your eyes become irritated, switch back to glasses while you recover. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotic or antifungal drops, and you should not resume wearing lenses until the infection clears and your doctor says it is safe.
Cost breakdown and what affects the price
The total cost of wearing contact lenses depends on the type, brand, and how often you replace them. Daily disposables run $30 to $90 per month. Monthly lenses cost $20 to $50 per month when you include solution and case replacement. Specialty lenses (toric, multifocal) cost 20 to 50 percent more than standard lenses.
Your eye exam costs $100 to $200, depending on whether it is a routine checkup or a full workup with additional testing. Some vision insurance plans cover part of the exam and a yearly allowance toward lenses (often $100 to $200 per year). Check your plan to see what it covers before you schedule an appointment.
If you wear lenses part-time — for sports, work, or social events — you might save money by wearing glasses most of the time and buying a smaller supply of lenses. A single box of monthly lenses lasts three months if you wear them only a few days per week, cutting your annual lens cost significantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wear contact lenses if I have astigmatism?
Yes. Toric lenses are designed specifically for astigmatism and correct both the sphere and cylinder components of your prescription. They cost more than standard lenses and have fewer brands available, but they work well for most people with astigmatism. Your eye doctor will fit you with trial toric lenses during your exam to make sure they stay in place and provide clear vision.
What happens if I order lenses without a valid prescription?
The retailer will not ship them. All contact lens sellers are required by law to verify your prescription with your doctor's office before processing the order. If your prescription has expired or the doctor's office cannot confirm it, the order will be cancelled and you will be notified.
Can I switch between glasses and contact lenses?
Yes, and many people do. Your prescriptions are different, so you need both a glasses prescription and a contact lens prescription. You can wear glasses one day and lenses the next without any problem. Some people wear lenses during the week and glasses on weekends to give their eyes a break.
How do I know if a contact lens has torn?
A torn lens will feel uncomfortable, cause blurred or distorted vision, or feel like something is scratching your eye. Remove the lens when ready and inspect it under good light. If you see a tear or hole, throw it away and insert a fresh lens. Never try to wear a torn lens, as it can scratch your cornea.
What should I do if a contact lens gets stuck in my eye?
Stay calm. The lens cannot go behind your eye. Wash your hands, look in a mirror, and gently pull down your lower eyelid to locate the lens. Use rewetting drops to lubricate your eye, then try to slide the lens toward the white of your eye with your finger. If you cannot remove it after a few minutes, see your eye doctor. Do not rub your eye hard or poke at it.