I am about to start wearing contact lenses once in a while and was curious if anyone buys them online?  I expect it's possible to get them cheaper than my optician, but I am wondering how much cheaper they really are and if it's worth any hassle involved?

i dont wear them, but i wouldnt want to risk buying something so important online. eyes are delicate things and cant be replaced

You need to have a current prescription and you can expect your online supplier to contact your optician for confirmation of the facts - some opticians will charge a fee for this nowadays.  Generally contact lens checks must be done every 12 months.  The online supplier is only allowed to supply lenses for the duration of that prescription ie you cannot buy 6 months of lenses when your prescription expires in 3.

I used to buy them online from Tesco and it was exactly the same lenses as those supplied by my own optician (Focus Dailies All Day Comfort)  However I recently changed my optician to Specsavers and when I explained the price difference they offered to match Tesco price.  In fact they came out a bit cheaper.  I buy mine in bulk though rather than a monthy d/d so they are perhaps more willing to be flexible as there are no admin costs for them.

Do the usual checks to ensure you are using a reputable, legitimate supplier if you are using an unknown company.  Incidentally, when I did a price check Tesco was consistently the cheapest online supplier, plus I like the fact that I feel I know Tesco!  However, do see if your own opticians will price match first.

If you've never worn them before then I really don't think you should start without a proper consultation. There are so many different types.......and many different eye conditions. I've just changed to Specsavers after 14 years with Boots because it was just easier (SS post everything to you but with Boots you still have to collect the cleaning solution as they only send the lenses). It's very easy - Specsavers, free contact lense consultation and a few weeks with trial lenses after which they'll look at your eyes to make sure the lenses are suitable and not causing damage.
They might prove to be a few pounds dearer I don't know - but the peace of mind knowing that I can walk into any Specsavers and have them check any worry I might have is worth it.

I nearly changed to spec savers after 20 plus years with an independant because of the apparent price difference. When I fully did the research the difference was negligable because I get cover for all checkups any problems and sight test all inclusive for 35.00 pa and I can order as and when I want. With spec savers to get the best deal I needed a monthly direct debit and £20.00 each time I needed a check up. So look at the small print carefully

Thanks for the information.  I think what I will do is print out some prices for my lenses and see how close my optician (with Vision Express) is to the cheapest online price.   If there is a significant difference I'll give him the opportunity to match or get closer to the price.  

... I'm off to check Tesco now! 

I use postoptics!  www.postoptics.co.uk have done for around 10 years

Hi Furriefriends, im with specsavers and pay just £13 a month and that includes all checks including sight tests.  It also includes monthly lenses and enough solution for me and my other half with loads left over !!  You also get discounts off glasses and free replacement lenses if you lose one.

Thats interesting mine work out
at £32.00 pm they are daily disposables that i can wear up to 16 hours a day plus £20.00 each time if I need anything done as long as I have them on monthly dd.. My independant optician is the same price but I can order as I need them and as I am not wearing them everyday thats cheaper and then £35.pa for check up sight tests etc.,
Wish I could get them for £13.00 and they are only off the shelf prescription.

Mine are £13 a month as well - inclusive of check ups etc. Lenses and solutions are sent by post to me.
Daily lenses are dearer but I'm not sure they are worth £32 a month !. Mine are monthly lenses and can be worn all day - even if I nod off (which I sometimes do !). Takes no more than a minute to clean them.

yes I have the extra oxygenated ones (I think thats what they are called !!) so I can nod off in them .... if only I got the chance !!!  Do you find you get loads of solution left over ? both me and my OH use my soloution from specsavers and we still have about 6 bottles unopened under the sink, with another three arrived today !!

I know what you mean but for some obscure reason lenses that have to be cleaned mist up on me  after an hour or 2 and after trying different alternatives this was the only way round it. Thats after30 years of wearing hard lenses. i must admit I didn't realise the difference in price was so much though. I guess I am really not a good one to answer this thread my eyes have become a real pain. I am about to give up and settle for thinking that i am old and wear glasses grrr !

I always use an independant optician that I know goes on course after course to keep up to date.
I pay £23/ month for 24/7 contacts. All checks are free, I even get the solution free with my contacts!!!!!
I also have astigmatism as well.
I scratched my eye badley that ended up with me in hospital having it sorted, I was sent home, no more checks at hospital, but my optician saw me once a week for about a month and then kept me on 3 monthly checks for the next 18 months. I am back on the 6 monthly checks. for £23 a month I cannot fault them at all :) :)
Lea :) :)

I always buy my contacts (daily disposables) online, have done for years now. I get my eyes checked and tested yearly by an independent optician and then buy online, exactly the same lenses as sold by the optician but cheaper and if I order before lunchtime they arrive the next day. The websites check your prescription details with your optician when you order.

My contacts are expensive because they are one-day disposable and also toric for astigmatism. 

In any event .. I printed out the price from 3 different web site and Vision Express matched it for me.  £25 cheaper than if I had just accepted the regular price.   I bought a 3 month supply because I only intend to wear them once or twice a week, so that should do me for a year.   Vision Express also had an offer where you pay by direct debit, it's cheaper per lense and you get a free annual exam. It would involve more lenses than I need, so I was not interest.  

now thats interesting cairn mania may have look at vision express that would work out cheaper and mine arn't toric so £25 if thats for a month is very good.

I buy my lenses online, as does my husband.  I go to the opticians for regular contact lens tests & sight tests though, to check the health of my eyes etc.  Last time I went, I explained to the optician (part of a large chain) that I buy my online, as it's not their business as such she suggested that I bought all my solutions online as well!

She checked the type of lenses I currently had were suitable & these were available online.  I have had no problems in the two years I have been doing it.  The lenses are a branded type & the optician has confirmed that they are what they say they are.

The company I use is getlenses

HTH

ETA - I've just noticed that you're new to contact lenses, it may be worth you getting settled for a year or so before buying online, so that you have the back up.  If they're only for occasional use, don't get caught up in the opticians monthly payment schemes it won't be economical for you.  I've been wearing CL's for over 20 years.

I wear monthly lenses, as in wear them nonstop for a month, night and day. Remove them, I give my eyes a day's rest at this point, put in another pair and you are good for another month.
I used to wear the daily ones but I am not a morning person and cannot find my eyes first thing, let along poke my finger in them ! so it used to get later and later when I put my lenses in until some days it just wasn't worth bothering.
I love the monthly ones. I often forget I am using any :)

Me too sassinak.  Where do you get yours?  Mine are Boots' own but having seen some prices online I think tis time for a switch!  I'm paying £17 a month at the moment and it's just not sustainable.

Mine are £15 a month by dd from specsavers. They are send out every 3 months

Mine are the 24/7 monthly ones as well. I have found now that I am happier taking them out most nights and just leaving them in occasionally.
I started doing this when it was time to require reading glasses too.
I can read with out the lenses in but not when I am wearing them...................old age setting in!!

Karen 

I was having that problem but the optician has solved it for me.
My dominant right eye has a lens for driving, watching tv etc and my left eye has one for reading. It is surprisingly easy to get used to :)