Shopping Online for Contacts: Security and Privacy

The Fairness to Contact Lens Consumer Act, signed into law in 2004, empowered lens wearers with the right to obtain a copy of their contact lens prescription from their eye doctor. After years of anticipation, contact lens wearers were finally free to purchase their contact lens replacements wherever they felt was appropriate for them. Although mail order companies had sold contact lenses for years, online contact lens replacement providers were growing in popularity and using popular search engines to market their services to consumers.

Today, more and more consumers find that online shopping saves them money and is convenient, but how do you determine which sites are safe to deal with? Everyone is looking for great prices, but the overriding concern is to find vendors who have secure websites that protect your privacy.

How does one go about finding a secure shopping site? There are two indicators you can check to determine if a website is properly safeguarded. The first is by looking at the URL, or web page address, at the top of your web browser. As you may have noticed during your Internet surfing experience, most begin with “http”. However, a secure site will have an address that begins “https”. Be sure the latter prefix exists when you arrive at a web page on which you will be actually entering sensitive information. The added ‘s’ is a signal to users that information (e.g. names and passwords) will be encrypted as it is transmitted. The second check for a safe site is to search for the padlock icon, usually located at the bottom of the screen. If the padlock is closed, the site is secure. Make sure this icon is in the browser window and not in the web page area. A click (or double-click) on a legitimate padlock icon will display a website’s security information.

Reputable shopping sites also have privacy policies posted that can be easily found and understood. This is where you will learn if the contact lens vendor shares your information with affiliated companies or other third parties. If they do, there is an almost certain likelihood you will receive unsolicited e-mail (‘spam’)—unless the vendor expressly restricts these parties from marketing in this manner. Also look to see if the site belongs to a ‘seal of approval’ program administered by the Better Business Bureau or others whose job it is to set guidelines for privacy practices.

Keep in mind that policies can change, especially if the website happens to be sold to or purchased by other companies. Review the policies at websites you do business with at regular intervals so any sudden ‘switches’ will not surprise you. This will allow you to take timely action to stop your information from being misused.

Since there are never any guarantees, care and research is necessary in selecting a legitimate online contact lens seller. However, this should not deter you from taking advantage of the convenience offered by online shopping. Remember, a responsible shopper will always be in a better position to take advantage of new opportunities. Take the time to locate responsible vendors that will safeguard their customers’ security and privacy.

Summer Fun and Contact Lenses

The summer months are the most active for those who enjoy outdoor activities and are certainly the most comfortable. Dashing out the door without having to burden yourself with extra clothing after a long winter is a liberating feeling, especially for those who wear contact lenses instead of glasses.

Not only are contact lenses convenient, they are also more practical. How many times have eyeglasses gotten in the way of enjoying outdoor games and pastimes because of decreased peripheral vision and slipping frames? Contacts eliminate both of those problems. If you still wear specs and continue to struggle through warm weather activities, then it is time to seriously consider switching to contacts.

The selection of contact lenses has never been greater, due to ongoing improvements and innovations targeted to enhance comfort and convenience. Soft contacts (including silicone hydrogels) have come along to extend wear time and maximize moisture for healthy eyes. Multifocal and toric lenses are available for those with presbyopia and astigmatism, so all ages can enjoy the benefits these contacts give. Many of these offer UV blocking* as an added measure of protection against the sun.

With the introduction of daily disposables water sports have become less of a problem. Whether one is swimming in lake water, municipal pool, or a familiar private swimming pool, water splashed in the eyes while wearing contact lenses increases the chances of infection and other eye damage caused by microorganisms in the water. These incidences are minimized when the affected contacts are promptly removed and replaced with a fresh pair. Daily disposables also mean you no longer have to carry cleaning and solution kits to disinfect your lenses.

Today there are online retailers that make it very convenient to purchase contact lenses inexpensively and in a timely manner. Quick surfing of the Internet will give you a list of vendors who will meet your needs. All that is required is a valid prescription provided by your eye doctor. Purchasing lenses online cuts down on traveling to box store lens sellers and wasting valuable time that is better spent enjoying your summer.

Consult with your eye doctor who will assist you in choosing and fitting the appropriate contact lens for your needs. Nothing defines ‘carefree summer days’ more than the ability to leave your eyeglasses behind and enjoy the natural feel of wearing contacts during warm weather activities.


*Keep in mind that contact lenses that block UV radiation only protect the cornea—that part of the eye covered by the lenses. For full eye protection from UV rays, appropriate sunglasses that shield the entire eye area are needed.

‘Piggybacking’ and ‘Vaulting’ Contact Lenses for Keratoconus

The cornea of the eye is the ‘window’ that allows light to be reflected onto the retina to enable our sight. One of the irregularities that can afflict the cornea is the disease called keratoconus.

Keratoconus occurs most frequently during the teen years or early 20s. It causes the naturally rounded cornea to become more cone-shaped, resulting in nearsightedness, astigmatism, and light sensitivity. Changes in eyeglass prescriptions tend to be necessary upon each visit with the eye doctor and, for many years, patients were told they could not wear contact lenses. Fortunately, some excellent options have been developed and marketed. These options can provide keratoconus patients with a contact lens option in various lens materials and designs.

Initially, rigid gas permeable (RGP or GP) lenses were the only type of contact used because their firmness restored a symmetrical window, correcting the focus of light into the eye. However, there were cases where keratoconus made the eye so sensitive that GP lenses could not be worn due to pressure exerted on corneal tissue. A solution called ‘piggybacking’ was developed.

In ‘piggybacking’ eyes that cannot tolerate GP contact lenses are first fitted with a soft lens that is intended to act as a cushion. Then, a GP is fitted over the soft lens. This achieves both the comfort and correction needed to overcome the effects of keratoconus. The one concern with this method is the issue of oxygen permeability necessary to keep the eye healthy. Fortunately, the advance of hydrogel and silicone hydrogel lenses has greatly increased oxygen flow for their wearers; GPs have also improved in oxygen transmission by way of new materials development in that segment. Despite this advantage, ‘piggyback’ patients need to be monitored by their eye doctor to prevent any problems that might occur.

One other innovation is the hybrid lens, which combines features of GP and soft contacts. Unlike the ‘piggyback’ lens option where two different lenses are used, with the hybrid lens there exists a center portion, made of a non-pliable material, while the outer skirt is made of a soft hydrogel material. This type of contact lens performs a function in which the corrective window ‘vaults’ over the cornea, eliminating any uncomfortable pressure. This is closer to the fit wearers have come to expect from current lenses.

Being diagnosed with keratoconus is not an automatic sentence to eyeglasses. It may take some patience and close consultation and visits with your eye doctor, but the options available give lens users good opportunities to keep the freedom and comfort of contact lenses.

Water and Contact Lenses

Water is one of the most plentiful substances on Earth, and its relationship to man’s survival is vital. However, when it comes to contact lenses, water holds both risks and benefits depending on its source.

Water has always been thought of as a cleanser, and in most instances that is true, but not so in the case of contacts. Water should not be used to clean or store lenses because it contains bacteria and microorganisms that transfer first to the lenses and then to your eyes. The serious infections and eye damage that result can cause vision loss, and even blindness. It does not matter whether the water comes from a filtered tap or is bottled or distilled, those harmful organisms remain. Use nothing but approved contact solutions to clean and store your lenses.

If you are the type of person who enjoys water sports or leisure activities, care must be taken when wearing your contacts in lakes, pools, hot tubs, or the ocean. Water splashed in the eyes will leave your lenses vulnerable to the same type of pathogens found in tap water. It is recommended that you remove your contacts before going into the water, or protect them with swim goggles. If water does get in to your eyes while wearing your lenses, remove them immediately. Thoroughly rinse them in solution and store them overnight. Daily disposable lenses are very convenient in this regard as they can be removed and replaced with a fresh pair right away. This is handy in situations when you find yourself without contact solution, e.g. at a park, lake, or resort.

On the other hand, the water that forms our tears is essential for comfortable contact lens wear. Not only do tears keep the eye healthy by flushing out dust and debris, they also minimize the growth of naturally occurring microorganisms that can appear on the eye’s surface. Tears are also important in keeping the cornea supplied with oxygen while contacts are in place, and blinking allows the tears to be continually replenished.

In addition, a recent innovation in contact lens manufacture has allowed water to become a component in silicone hydrogels, a soft lens that can deliver more oxygen to the cornea because of the water content in the plastic that makes up the lens. As a result, these contacts have become some of the most popular types on the market.

So, water has a two-fold relationship with contact lenses—one harmful, the other beneficial. Being mindful of the differences will keep your experience with lens wear a pleasant, comfortable, and healthy one.

Coming to Terms with Contact Lenses’ Prescriptions and Their Expiration

Despite all the information available about contact lenses, there is still one area where misconceptions crop up concerning the nature of contacts and their use: prescriptions and their expirations.

Eye doctors and contact lens sellers remain surprised that a good number of people continue to ask why they need a prescription to wear contact lenses. In cases like these, the prevailing notion seems to be that contacts are somehow just a fashion accessory and not the controlled medical devices that they are. It is true that patients have been given greater freedom to shop around for their lenses since the federal government required that contact wearers have a copy of their prescription. However, this freedom may have fostered assumptions that contacts have become less controlled. No one would think of taking a medication to treat a serious illness without benefit of a doctor’s prescription because that medication must be monitored so it will do no harm. The same holds true for contacts. A lens that fits poorly, is not perfectly matched to your vision power, or is made from material not best suited for your eyes will cause problems. Not only is discomfort a most likely result, but inflammation, infection, and permanent damage to eye tissue are also risks.

Once you have the proper prescription it is important to remember that it is subject to expiration, in most cases after one year. Your eyes may continue to feel good and lens wear remains comfortable, but there could be microscopic changes in your eye health that are not noticeable. An annual exam with your eye doctor assures that any potential problems with your eyes are caught and corrected before they become serious. These regular exams also keep up with how your lenses are performing and allows for any required updates in regards to power, size, material, or design.

In addition to prescription expiration, soft contact lenses themselves have a time limit placed on them. Despite the airtight packaging used on most brands of soft contacts, the passage of time may weaken or compromise the seal. This leads to contamination of the sterile saline solution and the lens inside. Expiration dates can be found on the box and on the lens’ foil wrapper. Dates are printed in a year-month format, meaning the contacts within can be used until the last day of the month in the calendar year indicated (e.g. 2014/12 means you can use the lenses until December 31, 2014). Once an expiration date has been reached, discard the lenses immediately and obtain fresh ones.

Contact lenses provide great convenience and comfort regarding vision correction, but it is important to remember that they also impact a most sensitive part of our bodies, the eyes. Regular and timely visits with your eye doctor are necessary to maintain eye health and to make sure they are enhanced--not harmed--by the contacts we choose.

Ending Discomfort Associated with Contact Lenses

The ongoing advance of contact lens technology in recent years has made the wearing and enjoyment of contacts more widespread. Nevertheless, there may be instances where discomfort may occur in some people’s use of lenses. In most situations where this is an issue, there are relatively simple solutions.

Eyes that burn when contacts are inserted are many times due to substances that get on the lenses through handling. Skin lotions, cosmetics, food oils, and soaps with additives (e.g. moisturizers and perfumes) can easily find their way onto your contact lenses. Search out ‘basic’ or ‘all natural’ soaps for use and make sure your hands are thoroughly dried with a lint-free towel before handling your contacts. Daily disposable lenses go a long way to cut down on contamination because you use them once and then throw them away.

Foreign body sensation (the feeling that something is in the eye) when wearing contacts could be a sign that your lens fit may not be just right. This cause may be as simple as inverted lenses, a nick at the edge of the lens, a torn lens or an incorrect base curve or diameter. Lipids and natural deposits left on lenses due to tear production is another factor, and can be removed with the proper cleaning solution. Your eye doctor can help you with the correct fitting and care regimen necessary.

Dry eyes while using contact lenses can possibly be solved by having your current lens fitting reevaluated by your eye doctor. A switch to contacts better suited for dry eye symptoms (silicone hydrogels are one type) may be recommended. Certain eye drops used for dryness in conjunction with lenses are available. High intakes of caffeine and alcohol contribute to the problem, so a moderation in their consumption may help.

Silicone hydrogels have also come to the rescue of those who find they cannot wear their lenses as long as they would like each day. These soft lenses have increased wear time due to their high rate of oxygen flow to the cornea, which also promotes good eye health in addition to comfort.

Other factors that affect contact lens comfort are the presence of allergies, medical problems, and the use of some prescription medications. Smoking raises a whole host of health complications associated with vision.

The most important thing to remember is that discomfort in most cases does not mean having to give up your contact lenses. Meetings with your eye doctor will very likely result in greater satisfaction and enhanced visual freedom.

Answering Some Common Questions About Contacts

As long as contact lenses have been a common and widely available means of vision correction, there also have been some basic questions that people ask—especially if they do not wear them and/or are contemplating a switch from eyeglasses.

For the ‘sophisticated’ contact wearer, the following questions may seem silly or unnecessary, but they are of great concern to those who are thinking of purchasing lenses or those who are new wearers. In this regard, they should not be dismissed, as any exchange of information that is useful to someone is certainly not a waste of time.

Are contacts bad for your eyes? Do they make your eyes worse? The success rate among contact lenses over their decades of use is indisputable. However, ‘bad’ depends on how conscientious users are in following the wear and care regimen that is vital to eye health. Since contacts are placed directly on the eye, the natural oxygen flow to the eye is immediately reduced by a factor related to the lens material itself. Industry developments over the past 5-7 years have greatly improved oxygen transmission through the lens material. Nevertheless, careless habits employed by the wearer will increase the potential for infections and other problems. The best defense is to heed all of your eye doctor’s instructions on lenses’ wear time and cleaning. As far as making eyes worse, this is a misconception borne out of contact use among children who often experience a progression of myopia (nearsightedness) during their growing years. Studies* have shown that children who wear eyeglasses under the same circumstances have a nearly identical rate of progression. It is simply that myopic changes are greatest during childhood.

Are contact lenses difficult to insert? After your eye doctor has assisted you in achieving a good fit with the right type of contact, they will also demonstrate the proper way to insert and remove the lenses. There may be those who struggle at first with insertion, but patience and practice leads to success rather quickly. It has been proven that children as young as eight are able to successfully handle contact lenses; if they can do it so can you!

Can contacts get lost in your eyes? They certainly cannot find their way to the back of the eyeball, as some fear, due to the nature of the membrane of the inner eyelid (conjuctiva). This membrane continues up the inside lid to become the covering of your eye’s outer white surface; nothing can get behind the eye. However, lenses can move into the upper eyelid, usually due to rubbing or sudden jostle. When this happens, use re-wetting drops in your eye and gently massage the lid with your eye closed to move the lens to a position where it can be removed. Another method is to carefully turn up your eyelid so that it is inside out (employ a cotton swab on the outside of the lid to fold onto), tilt your head back, and use the inverted eyelid to move the contact onto the eye’s surface so it can be removed. If the above methods prove unsuccessful, ask someone for assistance or immediately see your eye doctor.

Where can contacts be bought without a prescription? Contact lenses are classified as medical devices by the FDA and cannot be purchased without a valid prescription from an eye doctor. However, since you have a legal right to obtain your prescription from your eye doctor, you have the freedom to shop and select the seller who best fills your needs.

These are only some of the questions asked about contact lenses. Your eye doctor is the best source for answers when it comes to the wearing and care of lenses. They are willing partners and the dialogue between you can only improve your satisfaction with contacts.


*The Adolescent and Child Health Initiative to Encourage Vision Empowerment (ACHIEVE) is an example.