Should You Buy Glasses and Contacts Online?
Last updated May 2024
For eyeglasses and contacts, we usually found the least expensive sellers online. But for contacts, you can’t count on low prices from all internet sellers: Some offered higher prices than many brick-and-mortars.
We shopped prices at a sampling of online retailers using the same list of eyeglasses (including lenses for a simple prescription) we used to compare prices among local stores. For eyeglasses, prices at almost all of the online retailers we shopped were substantially lower than surveyed local stores—several online stores offered prices that were less than half of those offered by local outlets. Some online sellers not only offered very low prices, but also carried a much wider selection of frames than any local businesses.
We also compared prices for contact lenses from online retailers with those at local stores. (For this comparison, we compared stores’ prices just for orders of lenses, not including exam and fitting fees.) We found that several online contact lens sellers offered prices that were at least 25 percent lower than the average prices at local stores, but, as you can see on the table below, some well-known online sellers—including 1800Contacts.com—offered prices that were higher than the average prices offered by the lowest-priced local outlets. For the brands we shopped, the lowest prices were offered by Lens.com (which also does business as ContactsAmerica.com) and ContactLensKing.com.
There are some disadvantages to shopping for contacts and eyeglasses online. It’s possible that the prescription may be incorrectly filled or that the seller may send the wrong contact lenses. But these problems could also occur with a local seller.
If you are new to wearing contacts, or trying out a new type of lens, at first buy a minimum number of lenses from a local outlet; then, if they work out, buy online after that. Even better, ask your doctor for a sample pair of lenses before you have your prescription filled. That will help you identify any problems right away, before you’ve paid for a year’s supply of lenses.
An obvious disadvantage of buying eyeglasses online is that, unless you’re replacing frames you like with an identical model, you can’t try on various frames to see how they’ll look on your face. We find in general that, in person, frames can be bigger, less flattering, or just uglier than they look on the internet.
One strategy is to visit local stores, try on frames to find ones you like, and then buy online. Also, many sites let you upload a picture of yourself or use your computer or phone camera to try on frames virtually. Others send out sample frames for free, letting you try them on at home for a week before ordering your own. Fortunately, liberal return policies are the norm among online sellers, so you can return glasses easily if you’re not satisfied.
Another problem with ordering frames online is that you’ll have to find a local solution for obtaining any adjustments. Fortunately, most optical shops make small adjustments for free, even for consumers who bought elsewhere.