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Be a wise consumer if you buy contact lenses on the Internet, over the phone or by mail. While such purchases are often a convenient and economical way to get lenses, it's a wise decision to proceed with caution when purchasing items through these methods. The following questions and answers should help you take simple precautions to make your Internet, phone or mail purchase safe and effective for you.

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

Ordering lenses without a current and official 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.

The minimum elements of a official prescription usually include your name and the doctor's name along with the contact lens brand name and material. Lens measurements such as power, diameter and base curve are 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 the requirements for a prescription.

Internet stores sometimes make inquiries and check the prescription with your doctor. If they do check with your doctor and receive a verbal okay, they comply with the Federal prescription device regulation. If the stores do not check, then they have not obtained a official 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. But the company is selling you a prescription device as if it were an over-the-counter device. This is a violation of the Federal prescription device regulation. Some Internet sites will allow you to fill out a chart with the ordering information about your contact lenses, and ask you to fill in your doctor's name and phone number.

Order your contact lenses from a supplier you are familiar with and know is reliable. Request the manufacturer's written patient information for your contact lenses, which is important for getting risk/benefit information and user instructions. Be wary of stores where they attempt to exchange a different brand from the one you are using right now. 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). In cases where you received the incorrect lenses, contact your doctor immediately and get his approval first before using them.

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.