Jump to topic
I’ve had astigmatism and myopia since I was 4. (I had big round frames with thick lenses before Harry Potter made them cool).
My prescription used to change constantly. This meant multiple exams every year. I spent countless hours of my childhood in my local optometrist’s chair.
Luckily, around age 24, my vision started “settling.” Now, at age 31, my prescription has remained stable.
I still get an annual eye exam to check my overall eye health and make sure my prescription is up to date. But now I order all my prescription eyewear online.
Consumers can now enjoy the convenience and reduced prices of online shopping for their vision correction needs.
1-800 Contacts has been an industry leader in online contact sales since 1995. Here I’ll share my personal experience with ordering from them, as well as any information you need to place an order.
Jump to topic
1-800 Contacts is the oldest direct-to-consumer prescription eyewear mail service still in business. Back in the day, you could call them (guess what their phone number was) and place an order to be shipped to your house.
Now their sales take place online. They have an excellent selection, great customer service, and fast shipping times. These are the top categories I consider when shopping for contacts online. (But I’ll cover all possible considerations in this review).
Vision Center Recommends 1800Contacts for all your contact needs. They provide the same contacts as your doctor, free shipping & returns, and 24/7 customer support. It's simple to order online. Find Your Contacts Today
Here’s what you need to place an order with 1-800 Contacts:
*IMPORTANT: To order lenses from 1-800 Contacts or any other online retailer, you need to have a professional contact lens fitting and exam from an eye doctor. They will provide you with a prescription, along with a brand recommendation.
However, you don’t need to buy your contacts or glasses from the eye doctor. You can take the prescription with you and order online.
You will upload this prescription at the time of purchase. 1-800 Contacts will then verify its authenticity.
Unfortunately, online retailers cannot provide you with a new prescription or contact lens fitting. That still needs to take place in person. However, once you have your prescription, you can save time and money by ordering your lenses online. 1-800 Contacts also provides an online vision exam option to renew your contact lens prescription.
Overall, 1-800 Contacts provides a great service. If you are an experienced contact lens wearer looking for convenience or better prices, look no further.
If it's your first time getting contacts, we recommend going to your eye doctor to learn how to care for your contacts. Once you feel comfortable on your own, then you can start ordering online.
The ordering process at 1-800 Contacts is straightforward. All you need is your current contact lens prescription and a credit card.
Here’s what the process looks like:
Shortly after you place your order, 1-800 Contacts will send you an email confirming your order. They will then verify your contact prescription is accurate and up to date.
1-800 Contacts processing and shipping time is faster than most other online retailers.
Once your prescription is confirmed, they will process and ship your order. Shipping options are:
I placed my order on Thursday with standard shipping, and my contacts arrived Sunday. (With a free contact case included).
1-800 Contacts has one of the best selections of contact lenses on the internet. They carry all major brands, including:
1-800 Contacts list prices can be higher than the competition. However, as a part of their “Gajillion Percent Promise,” they have a price match guarantee.
You can take advantage of their price match guarantee by contacting their live customer support via online chat (on their website), email, or phone call.
All you have to do is tell them where you found a better price. They will then confirm the competitor pricing and reduce your cost to $1 less than the competition.
Another great feature of 1-800 Contacts is that there are no hidden fees. The price listed on their website (or a competitor's website) is the exact price you will pay. You will only pay an additional fee if you choose to expedite your shipping.
1-800 Contacts has a very generous return policy:
To start the return process, contact 1-800 Contacts via chat, email, or phone. Their live customer support will be happy to help you through the process.
1-800 Contacts’ main selling point is their Gajillion Percent Promise. There are six main components of this promise:
1-800 Contacts offers a subscription service for added convenience. You can set the delivery schedule, and they will deliver your lenses on schedule with free shipping every time.
You'll save 5% on your lenses, and you can delay, skip, or cancel your subscription at any time.
1-800 Contacts takes all types of vision insurance. They are considered in-network for:
You can use their benefit finder to check your vision insurance options.1-800 Contacts helps you save money even if they are considered out-of-network. They claim customers save an average of $105 with out-of-network benefits. They will provide a claims form for reimbursement after checkout.
1-800 Contacts online vision exam service allows you to renew your current contact lens prescription. This is a convenient service in case your subscription expires.
This does not replace a comprehensive eye exam. It does not check for general or eye health issues. You should still schedule an annual eye exam with your eye doctor.
The process to renew your subscription is very easy. All you need is a computer or cell phone and 10 feet of space.
1800Contacts has a huge selection of contact lenses and award-winning 24/7 customer service.
“Comprehensive Eye Exams.” AOA.org, www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/caring-for-your-eyes/eye-exams?sso=y.
“Gajillion Percent Promise,” www.1800contacts.com/mt/gajillion-percent-promise.
“Online Eye Exam at 1-800 Contacts: Prescription Renewal.” www.1800contacts.com/exam.
“Vision Insurance Benefits Checker.” www.1800contacts.com/vision-insurance.
This site complies with the
HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.
