Save money on contacts with these advanced tactics. Contacts are incredibly expensive when you add up the cost of all of those boxes. Throw in some expensive and unnecessary eye doctor visits and this all becomes a drag on your wallet. Use these tactics to save money on contacts, with or without a prescription, and find out how to get a cheap vision exam if you need one.
Know Your Prescription
Obviously, you need your prescription to purchase contacts. Prescriptions are usually valid for a minimum of 1 year. Some states require prescriptions to be good for longer periods of time. Others leave the maximum time the prescription is valid open-ended. Check this list of contact prescription rules by state here. Eye doctors are required by law to provide you with a copy of your prescription without an additional fee. Make sure you receive a copy and keep it in a safe place.
Save Money On Brand Name Contacts
Online contact lens sites and big box retailers sometimes provide a better price than buying them from a vision clinic or optometrist. Don’t forget to check your health insurance! Some health insurance includes basic vision coverage or a percentage discount on glasses or contacts if you purchase at certain retailers.
Costco
This is the go-to for cheaper contacts. Costco does require a current contact lens prescription. Their stores keep some common brands and prescriptions in stock. Many lenses are not in stock and can take 3 weeks to arrive at the store. If you have insurance coverage, Costco accepts most insurance. Their website allows online ordering of contacts.
Check Costco prices here
Target
Some Target locations have vision services in store. The optical stores will price-match contacts (per a discussion at a local store last year). You can also purchase online (no price match). The store locations do not stock contacts. If you order in-store the contacts will be shipped to your house. Purchasing in-store provides some options like price matching, using an insurance discount, and sales that may not show up online. Target requires a current contact lens prescription.
Check Target prices here
Walmart
Walmart sells some contacts at their in-store vision centers. Contacts can also be purchased online through their website. Walmart accepts most vision insurance plans and requires a current prescription.
Check Walmart prices here
Buy Contacts From Canada
Canada has fairly lax rules on the purchase of contact lenses or glasses. In 2010 British Columbia made all vision products over the counter. You still need to know your prescription but they don’t require a current prescription from a doctor. This new rule was in response to complaints that doctors were preventing people from obtaining their prescriptions in order to force them to buy directly from the doctor.
Contacts Express Canada
Free shipping to US addresses on qualifying orders. This company also makes eyeglasses and sunglasses.
Receive $5 off if you sign up for their newsletter. Check their coupon and rebate page for significant savings.
Check Contacts Express prices here
Perfect Lens
Flat $9.50 shipping anywhere in the US. This company has some unusual offerings including brands not normally found in the US, daily disposable color contacts, etc. $10 off if you sign up for their newsletter, and prices slightly below some other stores.
Check Perfect Lens prices here
Get An Eye Exam Without Going To The Doctor
Some US online contact lens retailers offer “renewal” online eye exams. This allows you to take an eye test on a computer, have it reviewed by a doctor and receive your prescription without having to go to a local doctor. These online eye exams also cost significantly less.
Online eye exams do not include a glaucoma test or similar eye health tests. Glaucoma testing is only suggested every 5-10 years if you are under 40 without risk factors. This journal article dives into the overuse of glaucoma-related tests. This statement from the AOA outlines suggested intervals for comprehensive eye exams.
1-800-Contacts
You can renew a contact or glasses prescription that has expired through their online service. $40 for a contact lens exam, $60 for contacts and glasses. This service isn’t available in some states.
Find out more at 1-800-Contacts
Simple Contacts
A similar online prescription renewal to the 1-800-Contacts version. If your prescription is expired, their service can renew your prescription online. The renewal test is $20. This service isn’t available in some states.
Find out more at Simple Contacts
Generic Contacts
Store brand or generic contact brands may offer significant savings compared to typical brand name contacts. Some are available online direct from the company, others are offered by big box stores.
Hubble
In-house brand contacts at a significant discount over brand name lenses. Your first box is $1, subsequent boxes are $36 a month via their subscription service. This appears to apply to daily lenses only. Hubble has a search tool to find a local eye doctor that prescribes their contacts. Their contacts can also be purchased directly on their website.
Find out more at Hubble
Equate
Walmart carries its own store-branded contacts. Pricing for some may be slightly less than similar brand name contacts. Brand name contacts could be cheaper if you find the right sale, otherwise, these may be an option for a slightly lower price. Since these are purchased through Walmart’s optical department, you should be able to use applicable insurance to receive a further discount.
Find out more at Walmart Contacts
Daysoft
Daysoft is a direct from the manufacturer contact lens company. The owner invented the original daily disposable lenses for one of the big contact lens companies. A box of 32 dailies is only $7.99. Daysoft is UK based and does not require proof of prescription as long as you know your current prescription details.
Find out more at Daysoft
Kirkland
Costco offers a store-brand daily disposable contact lens. In typical Costco fashion, you have to buy a box of 180 lenses but the price is about 65 cents per lens. As with most US-based retailers, Costco requires a current contact lens prescription. The store’s vision counter also lets you use most vision plans on your purchase.
Find out more at Costco
Once you buy new contacts there are some steps you can take to make them last longer to make sure you get your money’s worth.