Getting to a store is often inconvenient, but ordering contact lenses online can be done whenever it suits you. You not only save time in ordering your contacts, but in how long it takes to get them. Large online sellers, like 1-800 Contacts, will usually have your prescription in stock, so the lenses can be delivered immediately. And by ordering contact lenses online, you benefit from the cheaper prices and wider selection available.

Ordering contact lenses online, like ordering from a local store, requires that you have a recent prescription. State law requirements vary on how recent it needs to be, but it's best if your prescription is no more than two years old. And even if the contacts are a non-corrective type, you still need a prescription to ensure a proper fit and your compatibility for a specific lens.

Besides the convenience, ordering contact lenses online can also save you money. Online stores have lower expenses than a local retail outlet. They don't require a fancy store or need to locate in a high-rent area. And since they can handle more volume than a local store or chain, they get lower prices from the lens makers. So online stores can pass on their savings to you with lower prices.

If this is your first time for ordering contact lenses online, you may wonder if you get the same types of lenses as you would through a local supplier. They are the exact same brand and quality lenses. In fact, when the American Optimetric Association tried to get the sale of disposable contacts restricted to only eyecare professionals, it was sued by the attorneys general in 32 states to keep that from happening.