We have put together a list of the most common questions received by our doctors and staff.
- What happened to 1-800 Contacts?
Walmart and 1-800 Contacts mutually decided to end our business relationship effective January 1, 2013. Our customers trust us to provide a broad assortment of products at everyday low prices, and we approach every business decision through this lens. Check out our transition FAQ section for more information. - Can I wear soft contact lenses if I have astigmatism?
Yes, you can wear a special type of soft contact lens called a toric lens which will correct your astigmatism. However, these lenses are typically more expensive and there are fewer types available than there are with regular (spherical) lenses. Some of the more popular disposable toric lenses include the Purevision Toric and the Proclear Toric. Several manufacturers including Ciba (Focus) and CooperVision (Preference) produce 1-3 month frequent replacement toric lenses. - Can I wear soft contact lenses if I need bifocals?
Yes, there are a number of contact lenses designed for people who need bifocal (multifocal) correction. Some of the more popular disposable toric lenses include the Purevision Multifocal and the Proclear Multifocal. - Is a contact lens prescription different than a glasses prescription?
Yes. When you order contact lenses, you must have a current contact lens prescription which specifies the power of the lenses, the size of the lens, the type and brand of lens. See also How to Read a Contact Lens Prescription. - If my 2 week disposable lenses are still comfortable and in good condition beyond 2 weeks, can I continue to wear the same pair?
In order to maintain optimal eye health and comfort, it is important to adhere to the wearing schedule prescribed by your doctor. The main advantage of wearing disposable lenses is that you are putting a fresh new pair of lenses in your eyes every 2 weeks. Also, the convenient cleaning regimen of a disposable lens is only adequate for a 2 week wearing schedule. - If I only wear my 2 week disposable contacts part time, do I still have to replace them every 2 weeks
No, the 2 weeks refers to the actual amount of wearing time so they can last longer than 2 weeks if you are not wearing them full time. - Your website lists my lens as 2 week disposable, but my doctor says I can wear them for 4 weeks. Which is correct?
The lens wearing schedules on our website are provided by contact lens manufacturers. However, doctors may decide on a different wearing schedule (shorter or longer) for an individual patient based on wearing habits, lifestyle, cleaning methods etc. You should always follow the wearing schedule prescribed by your doctor. - What's the difference between rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses and soft lenses?
RGPs are smaller and made out of a harder, less pliable material than soft lenses which makes them less comfortable initially. RGPs correct some astigmatism whereas soft spherical lenses do not. - Can I swim with my contact lenses in?
It is best if you don't because there are bacteria in the water that can adhere to your lenses and cause infections. If you do swim in your lenses, you should wear goggles over them and you should disinfect them immediately afterwards. - Why is it necessary for contact lens wearers to have regular eye exams even if their prescription hasn't changed?
Regular eye exams are important not only to check your prescription but also to evaluate the health of your eyes. This is especially important for contact lens wearers because the contacts could be causing damage to your eyes without necessarily causing any obvious symptoms. - I wear contact lenses and in order for me to read, I have to wear reading glasses over them. Are there any other alternatives whereby I don't have to wear glasses at all?
Yes, the most common option is called monovision where one eye is corrected for viewing distant objects and the other eye is corrected for reading and close work. Monovision is a good solution for some people, but not everybody can successfully adapt to the arrangement. Another alternative is bifocal contact lenses which are available in both rigid gas permeable or soft lens designs. - Do colored contact lenses work on dark eyes?
Yes, they are called opaque contacts as opposed to enhancer tints which work only on light colored eyes. Year-long (daily wear and extended wear) opaque contacts are available in many different colors and shades. There are also several disposable colored lenses for dark eyes including Freshlook Colors. - Do I still need a prescription if I just want contacts to change my eye color?
Yes, you still need to be fitted for the lenses even if you don't need vision correction. This is because contact lenses are medical devices and wearing them can affect the health of your eyes. - How does the Federal Law "Fairness To Contact Lens Consumers" Act affect me?
On February 4 th, 2004, a Federal Law called the "Fairness To Contact Lens Consumers" act went into effect. This law made it much easier for you to enjoy the savings and convenience of ordering on-line. Learn more about the Federal Law and how it affects contact lens wearers. - Where is your company headquartered?
Our contact lens distribution center is located in Columbus, Ohio. This location is ideal for rapid distribution throughout the country. - How good is your pricing?
We offer Every Day Low Prices on all of our contact lenses. You will find outstanding deals on contacts. - How can you offer such low prices on contact lenses?
We can offer low pricing because of our large purchasing power. We are able to negotiate the best possible pricing from contact lens manufacturers and distributors. We simply pass those savings along to our customers. - How can I be sure I receive email offers and updates from you?
You should add [emailprotected] to your whitelist or "friends" to make sure our emails are correctly received. If you change your email address, please take a moment to log-in to your account, and update to the new address. - How long does it take for my lenses to arrive?
98% of all US orders arrive within the 7-10 day delivery time stated on our website. However, the vast majority of orders that are shipped from stock will arrive significantly sooner. - Can I get my associate discount online when I buy contact lenses?
Yes, associates are eligible to receive the associate discount when ordering online. Associates must enter through WalmartOne.com to be eligible for the associate discount. Each time you place an order, log on to WalmartOne.com, select "Pay and Financial Benefits", select "Associate Discounts" then select WalmartContacts.com. Your associate discount will be shown when you checkout.
FAQs
What is the new contact lens rule? ›
The Contact Lens Rule requires prescribers to give patients a copy of their contact lens prescriptions at the end of a contact lens fitting, even if the patient doesn't ask for it. If you are willing to sell lenses to the patient, the fitting is complete and you must provide them with the prescription.
Does Walmart verify contact prescriptions? ›All you need is a prescription. If you don't upload one or fax one when you order your contacts, WalmartContacts.com will call your eye doctor and verify your prescription for you. My eye insurance will cover my exam and one pair of glasses or up to a certain amount in contacts.
How do I read my Walmart contact prescription? ›- Eye - Which eyes the prescription line item is for. ...
- SPH - Sphere (this can also be referred to as Power or PWR)
- BC - Base Curve (usually a number between 8 and 10)
- DIA - Diameter (usually a number between 13 and 15)
- Brand - The brand/type of contact lens that your doctor has fitted you for.
How long does it take for my lenses to arrive? 98% of all US orders arrive within the 7-10 day delivery time stated on our website. However, the vast majority of orders that are shipped from stock will arrive significantly sooner. My prescription doesn't have an expiration date.
At what age should you stop wearing contact lenses? ›“There's no age limit: You can wear contact lenses as long as they're working for you.” While that's surely good news for both long-time and would-be lens wearers, there are a few other myths we'd like to dispel.
Do your eyes have to adjust to new contacts? ›While contact lenses can be an attractive alternative to wearing glasses because they don't change your appearance, contacts do also require a bit of an adjustment period. Most professionals will tell you that you can expect it to take as long as two weeks to get adjusted to your new lenses.
Can you order contacts without doctor's approval? ›Anyone selling you contact lenses must get your prescription and verify it with your doctor. They should request not only the prescription, but the name of your doctor and their phone number. If they don't ask for this information they are breaking federal law and could be selling you illegal contact lenses.
Can I order contact lenses with an expired prescription? ›Don't try to buy contact lenses online with an expired prescription, it's illegal to sell anyone contact lenses without a valid prescription. So, check your contact lens prescription right now. If they're close to or past the expiration date, contact your eye doctor and schedule an eye exam.
Can I order contacts without a verified prescription? ›You cannot order contacts without a prescription, at least in the United States. You will need to have a prescription written by a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist to buy contact lenses.
How do I know if my contact prescription is correct? ›- Discomfort: Burning, stinginging or itching eyes may mean you have a contact lens prescription that is off. ...
- Impaired Vision: Reduced sharpness or blurriness can be signs that you need a new prescription.
What does 0.50 eye power mean? ›
The next number in the sample prescription is -0.50. This is the "cylinder" measurement. On your prescription, "cylinder" might be abbreviated as "CYL." The cylinder measures the degree of astigmatism in your eye. The number shows how much lens power will be needed to correct astigmatism.
What do the numbers mean on the side of a contact box? ›One number that remains the same will be the sphere power (like a spherical lens). The second number is the amount of astigmatism, sometimes listed as cylinder or CYL. The third number is meridian or where the astigmatism lies.
Do you get contacts the same day as your eye exam? ›Most trials are handed out the same day as your exam, but some specialty lenses (toric, bifocal, colored, etc.) will have to be ordered. Wearing these lenses for a short period of time will help the doctor determine if those particular lenses are right for you.
Is it possible to get contacts same day? ›In most cases same day contact lenses are available.
Do you usually get contacts same day? ›Most contact lenses are shipped the following day. Uncommon prescriptions, lenses that correct for astigmatism or Rigid Gas Permeable lenses will take longer to process.
Is 70 too old for contact lenses? ›Contact lenses are one of many options for correcting vision, but are they a good solution for older adults? They can be. With guidance from an eye doctor, many adults over 60 successfully wear contacts. They're a convenient way to correct your vision.
Why do I see better with glasses than contacts? ›When you wear contact lenses there is no minimizing or maximizing the images you see. When you wear glasses, image size is being introduced into the equation. Think about it like using a magnifying glass.
Who Cannot wear contact lenses? ›If you have severe eye allergies, it might be difficult for you to wear contact lenses. Eye allergies can be seasonal or perennial, and are often identified by symptoms such as itchiness, redness, tearing, swelling, or burning.
Should contacts be blurry at first? ›Blurred Vision
Some blurriness is common for new contact lens wearers. The distortion usually results from dryness. To counteract the moisture loss, talk to your eye care practitioner about medicated eye drops or pick up over-the-counter drops from your favourite drugstore.
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Symptoms of contact lens–related infections include:
- blurry vision.
- unusual redness of the eye.
- pain in the eye.
- tearing or discharge from the eye.
- being extra sensitive to light.
- feeling like there is something in your eye.
Can I put eye drops in while wearing contacts? ›
Eye drops can be used to treat allergies, dry eyes, and can even be prescribed for conditions such as glaucoma. If you wear contacts you may be wondering if you can use eye drops. The answer: you can.
What brand of lenses does Walmart use? ›Eyeglass Lens Replacement Walmart | We use Essilor prescription lenses, the best brand for the sharpest vision.
What contacts are considered medically necessary? ›Examples of diagnoses that may qualify for medically necessary contact lenses are keratoconus, aphakia, post-corneal transplant, corneal dystrophies, ametropia, and anisometropia. Most contact lenses worn by individuals are classified as an elective vision correction option by insurance companies.
Why can't I buy contacts without a current prescription? ›They are medical devices regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Places that advertise them as cosmetics or sell them over-the-counter, without a prescription, are breaking the law.
How much is contact lens fitting at Walmart? ›A comprehensive eye health and vision exam is $80. A contact lens exam is $115. If you need bifocal correction or want to wear contact lenses for the first time, the exam cost $145.
How many boxes of contacts do I need for a year? ›Keep in mind that while the per-box cost for yearly contact lenses might be higher than that of other types, you only need one box to lasts an entire year. That being said, it's a good idea to opt for a box with a spare pair, just in case.
What's better daily or monthly contacts? ›Monthly lenses are more cost-effective than dailies if you wear contacts every day. It's also ideal for people who switch between glasses and contacts multiple times a day. You can clean and place them back again when needed, unlike with disposable lenses that must be discarded after use.
Can I order more than a year supply of contacts? ›Even if a prescriber's state law does not set an expiration date of more than the one-year minimum required by the Rule, prescribers are free to set a date of more than one year if they feel it is appropriate.
Can wearing the wrong prescription contacts damage your eyes? ›Myth 4: Wearing the wrong prescription can damage your eyes. "Who hasn't tried on someone else's glasses and felt dizzy and disoriented? The wrong prescription may feel weird and it can even give you a headache if you wear them very long, but it won't damage your eyes.
What happens if you wear the wrong eye contact prescription? ›Wearing the Wrong Prescription Long-Term
Wearing a prescription that is too weak or too strong can cause: Blurry vision. Eyestrain. Fatigue.
What happens if your contact prescription is wrong? ›
One of the most common effects of wearing the wrong contact lens prescription is blurry vision. Since contacts are meant to improve vision, the wrong prescription will typically cause impairment in a person's vision, says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Is +0.50 a strong eye prescription? ›If your number is between +0.25 and +2.00, you have mild farsightedness. If your number is between +2.25 and +5.00, you have moderate farsightedness. If your number is greater than +5.00, you have high farsightedness.
What does astigmatism 50 mean? ›In this example, the spherical component of the right lens (OD) is -.50, meaning the patient is slightly myopic. The cylinder correction indicated on the prescription is -1.00, indicating that the patient has astigmatism in the right eye.
What is the best eyesight to have? ›What is “Perfect” Vision? While 20/20 vision is considered to be perfect, it's not actually what we think of as perfect. Many people, mostly children, have better than 20/20 vision. Healthy eyes can easily go down to the 20/15 level with some accuracy.
What does the D stand for on my contact box? ›Diameter: This stands for Diameter and is the length of the contact lens from one edge of the lens to the other. This is effectively the size of the contact lens and is used to make sure the contact lens covers the correct parts of your eye. E.g. DIA 13.8.
What does the D and N mean on contact lenses? ›The “D” lens goes on the Dominant eye and the “N” lens goes on the Non-Dominant eye.
What does 123 mean on contact lenses? ›If the "123" appears normally, the lens is correctly oriented and ready to be placed on your eye. If the "123" is backward, the contact is inside out.
How long does a contact lens exam take? ›When combined with your exam, it will add about 10 minutes, but may be longer for first time wearers or those being fit in multifocal contacts. A comprehensive eye exam takes 45 minutes to one hour.
How often do you need to get a contact lens exam? ›If you wear contacts, you need to see your eye doctor annually for an exam. Since contact lenses cover a portion of the eye they reduce the amount of oxygen getting to the cornea. Over time, this can impact the health of the eye and cause damage.
What happens if you wear contacts two days in a row? ›What happens if you reuse your daily contacts? Wearing daily disposable contact lenses more than once puts you at risk for discomfort, dryness and serious eye infections. One study found contamination on the lenses of 95 percent of users who stored daily disposable lenses in saline overnight.
How many hours can you wear contacts first time? ›
On your first day of contact lens use, try to wear them for about eight hours or as much as recommended by your doctor to give your eyes a chance to adapt. Use this time to make sure that your eyes are adjusting nicely to the contact lenses, and that no discomfort or irritation has occurred.
Can I wear contacts two days in a row? ›The short answer is no. You shouldn't wear daily disposable contacts more than once. However, you can safely re-wear daily extended-use lenses for up to a month (or however long your optometrist recommends).
Can I get a trial pair of contacts from Walmart? ›You will receive a free pair of trial lenses with your eye exam after we confirm that your eyes are healthy. Have a valid prescription? The Walmart Vision Center carries many brands in stock.
Are daily contacts better than 2 week contacts? ›There is less risk of contamination if you wear fresh contacts every day. It means that the more you replace your contacts, the better for your eye health and comfort.
Do contacts last 30 days or 30 wears? ›The maximum time that any lens has been approved to wear continuously is 30 days. You should never wear a lens longer than that. If you must sleep in your lenses, most eye doctors will encourage you to take them out as often as possible, or at least once per week.
What are the rules of contact lenses? ›- Never sleep in your contacts. ...
- Don't swim or shower in your lenses. ...
- Don't clean your contacts with saline. ...
- Replace your contact lens case regularly. ...
- Don't recycle your contact lens solution. ...
- Remove your lenses when they bother you. ...
- Don't lick your lenses. ...
- Discard dailies after a day.
That first number represents diopters, which is the unit used to measure the correction of the lens that your eyes require. If you see that number as -2.5 or below, you, in all likelihood, are legally blind.
Can I get contacts online with an expired prescription? ›Don't try to buy contact lenses online with an expired prescription, it's illegal to sell anyone contact lenses without a valid prescription. So, check your contact lens prescription right now. If they're close to or past the expiration date, contact your eye doctor and schedule an eye exam.
What not to do while wearing contact lenses? ›- Don't Touch Contacts with Dirty Hands. ...
- Don't Expose Your Contacts to Water. ...
- Don't Reuse Your Contacts. ...
- Don't Insert a Dropped Contact In Your Eye. ...
- Don't Ever Put Contacts In Your Mouth. ...
- Don't Overwear Your Daily Lenses. ...
- Don't Sleep With Your Lenses.
Always wash and rinse your hands thoroughly before handling your lenses or touching your eye. Use a mild non-cosmetic (oil and fragrance free) soap, and dry your hands with a lint-free cloth or tissues. Clean your lenses after removal as indicated by your eyecare practitioner. Use only the recommended solutions.
What is the highest eye prescription? ›
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Your glasses prescription is fairly simple and consists of three parts:
- Sphere: Nearsightedness/farsightedness.
- Cylinder: Astigmatism.
- Axis: Direction of the astigmatism between 1° and 180°
"Partially sighted": the person has visual acuity between 20/70 and 20/200 with conventional prescription lenses. "Legally blind": the person has visual acuity no better than 20/200 with conventional correction and/or a restricted field of vision less than 20 degrees wide.
What is the highest eyesight number? ›20/10 vision is thought to be the maximum visual acuity of human eyes without binoculars or other magnifying devices.
Can wearing old contact prescription damage eyes? ›Wearing the Wrong Prescription Long-Term
There isn't a risk of long-term eye damage in most adults with stabilized vision. But, you can still experience symptoms affecting vision and comfort. Wearing a prescription that is too weak or too strong can cause: Blurry vision.
Wearing contact lenses that have expired - or for longer than the prescribed amount of time - can be dangerous for your eyes and vision. Not following the instructions of your eye doctor and lens manufacturer raises the risk of everything from eye irritation to infections and corneal abrasions.
Can you wear unopened expired contacts? ›Beyond the expiration date posted on the contact lens packaging, manufacturers cannot guarantee that the lenses are safe to wear. Therefore, expired lenses should not be worn.
How much should a years supply of contacts cost? ›How Much Do Contact Lenses Cost? What You Can Expect to Pay. Disposable contact lenses cost approximately $200 to $1,000 per year or $15 to $85 per month for regular wearers, if you're buying for both eyes.
Can I order more contacts without an eye exam? ›You cannot order contacts without a prescription, at least in the United States. You will need to have a prescription written by a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist to buy contact lenses.
How many boxes of contacts do I need for a year for daily contacts? ›If you replace your contacts approximately every two weeks, this means you need about five boxes (30 lenses) per eye, or a total of 10 boxes per year.