Online shopping has exploded in popularity over the past few years, becoming a popular way to purchase all kinds of products from the comfort of one’s own home. E-commerce platforms like Amazon and Alibaba have become retail giants by expanding the reach of businesses of all sizes, regardless of a customer’s location. Contact lenses aren’t exempt from the e-commerce wave, with retailers emerging online to offer easy access to high-quality contacts.

However, online shopping can be notoriously tricky since consumers can’t see or test the products for themselves. If you’re planning to buy contacts online, here are some tips to ensure you get top-notch contact lenses that suit your eyes and vision needs:

Get a contact lens prescription and fitting

Before you order contact lenses online, you should have a contact lens prescription. It should be recent and valid for the best results, as it ensures your contact lenses are safe and effective and correct your vision properly. Using your glasses prescription won’t work, either, as the contact lenses sit directly on the eye and require different measurements. To get a new or updated prescription, you should have an eye test and contact lens test and fitting. It might be time to get your eyes checked as well since 40% of Brits are due for an eye test. During the exam, your doctor will check your vision, your eye functions and measurements, and fit you for the right contact lenses. You’ll get a clearer picture of your eye health and vision and have the right prescription for clear and comfortable contact lenses.

Search for reputable retailers

Purchasing contact lenses should be a careful process, as they can affect your eye health if they’re low-quality products or come from dodgy sources. Shopping for them online can be even more precarious as you can’t see the products until they arrive. As such, prioritise finding reputable retailers that offer excellent contact lenses and top-notch service. You can start your search online by searching for “contact lenses UK”, which will show you local sites for easy access to products. You can browse the product selection, customer reviews, delivery services, discounts, and more to see which suits your preferences. UK-based Lenstore showcases the qualities of a reputable shop. It has been selling contact lenses online since 2008 and offers high-quality products, such as the Acuvue Oasys 1-Day and Biofinity contacts. It also boasts next-day delivery as standard, with 94.4% of orders shipped on the same day. Aside from products and shopping perks, you should also ensure the retailer requires a prescription before purchase to get the right fit and prescription for your eyes.

Browse through contact lens types

There are various types of contact lenses across multiple brands that can suit different vision needs and preferences, and online shopping can make it easier to browse them to help you find the right option for you. You can explore daily contact lenses designed to be worn for a day or reusable ones that can be replaced weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. There are toric lenses like the Dailies Total1 for Astigmatism that are designed for people with astigmatism, as the shape of the lens adjusts to the unique curvature of the eyes. Multifocal contact lenses can benefit those with presbyopia who need multiple prescriptions to see at various distances. On the product pages, you can also take a closer look at the ingredients, materials, and technologies the lenses offer to understand their comfort level and hygiene requirements better. Customer ratings and reviews also allow you to make more informed decisions before you head to check out.

Will BHS be able to hang on to capricious online customers?

Check the details before checking out

Once you know your contact lens prescription, retailer, and preferred contact lens type and brand, you start placing your order. Before you hit the buy button, ensure all your details are filled out correctly to avoid any mishaps in delivery. Choose the number of lenses you want to buy and input the right prescription for each eye. You can also look for delivery and shipping options that can help get your order to you faster. It’s also worth looking for discount opportunities to lower the cost. Some retailers may have student or key worker discounts or offer vouchers and deals that can shave a lot off your final price.

For more on e-commerce, business, and tech, check out our posts on Minutehack.