Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - Illegal to buy contacts online??? So says an optometrist

Knut · 12-23-2008, 11:21 AM

Once again I will weigh in as an Optometrist.

It is NOT illegal to buy contacts online... however, there are aspects about it which make it unsafe. For one, you can often keep on buying the contacts even without an up to date prescription. An Up to Date prescription is a way to ensure that you have had a full eye health check every 2 years. Personally, i do not care where you get your contacts/glasses as long as you get your eyes checked every 2 years (I cannot speak for others however). Secondly, ensuring a proper fit for the CL, and that there are no health concerns related to the lenses is important.

It is ILLEGAL for the website to dispense you the contacts without an up to date prescription. If they are doing this for you, it is sketchy and you should get them somewhere else.

Contacts ARE cheaper online for many brands. This is because they have the capability of buying in bulk. A place like 1800 contacts or Costco will be able to get a box of lenses from the manufacturer at half the price we as an independant optometrist can. However, these big box stores and online places will push certain brands, and often those brands may not be the best for you. You should get a good fitting done at an Optometrists office, where all brands are readily available. Personally, i will charge a 25 dollar refit fee if you want a new brand, and put that towards the purchase of contacts if you buy them through me. This is a way to offset the cost you being in my chair receiving my expertise on contact lenses, even if you take your prescription out of office.

Psycnet - There is a conflict of interest in our profession, but so is there in most other medical professions (eg. Dentistry). There are penalties from our self-regulating organization (Alberta college of optometry)if we do not put the patients health over and above financial issues. Admittedly though, there are some that do not follow this and it is tough to regulate.

I do not understand the Stigma with Optometry.... people will assume I am here to sell you products and nothing but. I am here to look after your eye health and also provide a service for optical correction. It amazes me that someone will complaint about paying 100 bucks every two years for an eye exam when your eye health is as stake.

12-23-2008, 11:21 AM	#13
Knut Join Date: Oct 2002 Exp:	Once again I will weigh in as an Optometrist. It is NOT illegal to buy contacts online... however, there are aspects about it which make it unsafe. For one, you can often keep on buying the contacts even without an up to date prescription. An Up to Date prescription is a way to ensure that you have had a full eye health check every 2 years. Personally, i do not care where you get your contacts/glasses as long as you get your eyes checked every 2 years (I cannot speak for others however). Secondly, ensuring a proper fit for the CL, and that there are no health concerns related to the lenses is important. It is ILLEGAL for the website to dispense you the contacts without an up to date prescription. If they are doing this for you, it is sketchy and you should get them somewhere else. Contacts ARE cheaper online for many brands. This is because they have the capability of buying in bulk. A place like 1800 contacts or Costco will be able to get a box of lenses from the manufacturer at half the price we as an independant optometrist can. However, these big box stores and online places will push certain brands, and often those brands may not be the best for you. You should get a good fitting done at an Optometrists office, where all brands are readily available. Personally, i will charge a 25 dollar refit fee if you want a new brand, and put that towards the purchase of contacts if you buy them through me. This is a way to offset the cost you being in my chair receiving my expertise on contact lenses, even if you take your prescription out of office. Psycnet - There is a conflict of interest in our profession, but so is there in most other medical professions (eg. Dentistry). There are penalties from our self-regulating organization (Alberta college of optometry)if we do not put the patients health over and above financial issues. Admittedly though, there are some that do not follow this and it is tough to regulate. I do not understand the Stigma with Optometry.... people will assume I am here to sell you products and nothing but. I am here to look after your eye health and also provide a service for optical correction. It amazes me that someone will complaint about paying 100 bucks every two years for an eye exam when your eye health is as stake.