Be a wise consumer if you buy contact lenses on the Internet, over the phone or by mail. Getting these products through the mail or from Internet shops are often convenient and practical, but as always; it's a wise decision to proceed with caution when purchasing items through these methods. I have gathered some important hints and tips to guide you when making your next purchase.

You should always have a current, correct prescription when you order contact lenses. This is a must. Never order lenses with a prescription that has expired. If you have not had a check-up in the last one to two years, you might have problems with your eyesight that you're not immediately aware of. In these cases, your contact lenses may not correct your vision well.

Ordering lenses without a current and legit prescription may cause serious complications to your eyesight. This also goes for the check-up. At your check-up, your eye doctor will re-evaluate the fit of your contact lenses and observe any changes in your cornea caused by your lenses. During regularly scheduled visits, your eye doctor looks for irregularities that, if left untreated, may lead to severe problems. Contact lenses that are not properly fitted by an eye doctor might not work well, or even worse, may harm your eyes.

A legit prescription for contact lenses should include your name, the name of your doctor, and the brand and material of your contact lens. Other lens information such as power, diameter, and base curves should also be included. These are the minimum that should be in a prescription, but more detailed prescriptions will include directions for safe use, indications for daily or extended wear, the number of refills , and an expiration date. This depends on the state where your doctor practices, as state laws often define a prescription's requirements.

Some Internet sites ask for information about your doctor so that they may check the prescription with your doctor. If they do check with your doctor and receive a verbal okay, they have already complied with the Federal prescription device regulations. If the company does not check, then they have not obtained a legit prescription. A written prescription may also be required and presented; again, this is depending on the local state laws.

Now, purchasing contact lenses over the phone, by mail, or from the Internet does not necessarily mean you're breaking the law. This means, however, that the store is selling you those contact lenses as if they were an OTC (over the counter) product. This is a violation of the Federal prescription device regulation. Some Internet companies allow customers to fill out important details in a form, like information about your prescription, and ask you to fill in your doctor's name and phone number.

Choose a reliable and well-established store when buying contact lenses. Get the manufacturer's written patient information for the lenses you buy, which is important for getting risk/benefit information and user instructions. Beware of attempts to substitute a different brand than you presently have. Different brands of contact lenses have different water content and shapes. Carefully check to make sure the company gives you the exact brand, lens name, power, sphere, cylinder and axis (if any), diameter, base curve, and peripheral curve (if any). If you think you have gotten an incorrect lens, check with your eye doctor.

Ray Hawkins is a researcher and writer working for http://www.fastcontactlens.com, which is a reliable source for high-quality and affordable contact lens. Visit us for all your contact lens needs.