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Wednesday, February 12th
In business since 1972, For Eyes has been offering contact lenses, glasses and sunglasses for longer than many of us have been alive. In 2015, the brand became part of the Grandvision EssilorLuxottica group, taking its products and services worldwide. For Eyes is one of several options on our list that has retail locations in addition to its online storefront, if that's something that might influence your decision.
No problems using the online store
This website is super-easy to shop for contacts. Right off the bat, you can click on the "use insurance” button if you'd like to apply your benefits. We saw all of the major insurers - like Humana, Aetna, and VSP - plus quite a few others that we weren't familiar with. Next, you can schedule an eye exam if you need one: For Eyes has over 110 in-person locations, so you have that added convenience if you decide to order contacts online but need a follow-up visit.
Filters take you right to your contacts
When you're ready to buy your lenses, you won't have to scroll endlessly to find what you need among For Eyes' selection of 20 brands and 80+ contact options. Instead, use the dropdowns to select the brand, lens type, replacement frequency, and/or price: the more you enter, the quicker you'll be taken to what you're shopping for.
You'll love the prices and free shipping
As we browsed the For Eyes site, we saw that all contacts were "up to 25% off” - but it was hard to tell if that was a limited-time offer or if it represented their everyday pricing compared with the industry-standard retail prices on contacts. Either way, though, that made this contact lens store one of the most affordable on our list when it came to our comparison lenses: the Acuvue Oasys 1-Day for Astigmatism. Although For Eyes didn't offer these contacts in a 90-pack like we found with some competitors, the price for a 30-day supply was about as low as it gets at $44.24. You also don't have to mess around with minimum order amounts to qualify for free shipping here, because you'll get it on each and every order.
Only 30 days for returns
But, those low prices aren't the only thing to consider, and as you might suspect, there are some reasons you might not want to buy your contact lenses from For Eyes. For one, you've only got 30 days to make a return here. If you stock up on contacts and your vision changes, you'll be stuck with boxes of the old prescription (so maybe just buy them a box at a time here, especially since the shipping is free). That's not quite as customer-forward as the contact lens stores on our list who give you six months or more to make an exchange for an updated prescription. And, it's indicative of the fact that this retailer is more focused on eyeglasses than on contacts: even when you read the low price guarantee and "free lifelong service” promise, they're all centered on glasses.
Reputation is unclear and not reassuring
We're also not so reassured when it comes to reputation. Most of what's out there - reviews on Trustpilot, Yelp, and so on - comes from customers who visited a For Eyes store, which doesn't tell us much about the online experience. Do contacts come on time? Are returns as free and easy as the site promises? It's hard to say. Plus, that brand shift when For Eyes became part of a larger corporation affected the company's listing with the Better Business Bureau - but whether you look at For Eyes' "F” or Grandvision's "Not Rated” scores, it's not great.
Try a small order first when buying contacts here
Best prices? Yes. Good selection? Yes. Awesome return policy? No. Focused on contact lens users? Not exactly. For Eyes had us excited when we saw the prices on our comparison lenses, but it was hard to maintain that enthusiasm when we saw the downsides. If you're going to buy your contacts here, we'd recommend starting with just one month's supply and see how it goes before making a commitment to buying a year's worth.
Buying contact lenses online offers several advantages that make it a convenient and cost-effective option for many people. You might feel pressured to buy them at the same time as your annual eye exam, but there's something your optometrist might not want you to know: you can probably buy the very same lenses online for up to 70% less than retail when shopping online.
Online retailers often provide a wider selection of contact lens brands, types, and prescription options compared to physical stores. This variety allows customers to find the lenses that best suit their specific needs, whether they require daily disposables, toric lenses for astigmatism, or multifocal options. Plus, you'll enjoy the convenience of doorstep delivery, all from the comfort of your home.
Purchasing contact lenses online can also save you both time and money. Online retailers frequently offer competitive pricing and discounts, making it possible to find lenses at lower prices than in brick-and-mortar stores. Additionally, online shopping eliminates the need for trips to physical stores, saving you time and reducing the hassle of scheduling appointments or waiting in long lines.
The convenience of online shopping also allows customers to reorder their contact lenses with ease. Many online retailers offer subscription services, ensuring that you will receive your lenses regularly without having to remember to reorder. This helps maintain good eye health by reducing the risk of running out of lenses or wearing them for too long.
Want to know which contact lenses are best? Online retailers often provide detailed product information and customer reviews, helping you make an informed decision about which contact lenses to choose. This information helps you find the best fit and comfort for their eyes, as well as to learn about the latest lens technologies and innovations.
Curious if contact lenses suit you? Perhaps your previous attempt several years ago wasn't a comfortable fit, but fear not. Technological advancements now allow many people who need vision correction to wear contacts comfortably, even after past setbacks. Soft lenses for astigmatism and presbyopia are even available, surpassing the days of rigid or gas permeable options for corrective measures.
You can easily discover the wide array of options you have online. Are multifocal contacts as a substitute for glasses? Absolutely. Daily lenses for single-use convenience? You bet. It might take some experimentation to find your ideal prescription and lens type, but the perks of contacts can far outweigh traditional eyeglasses. There's no getting caught in the rain and feeling like you need mini windshield wipers or going blind into the ocean because you left your prescription glasses up by your towel.
If you're considering buying your contact lenses online, you'll need to decide which contact lens store to use. There are a bunch of them out there, some with more name recognition than others. Here are a few criteria you can use to evaluate both the big-name retailers and the lesser-known ones:
For a comprehensive review of top-notch online contact lens retailers, check out our research here at Top Consumer Reviews. We're sure this evaluation will help you to get your contacts quickly and cost-effectively, ensuring crystal-clear and comfortable vision for the long haul!
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