Whirlpool

Has anyone bought contact lenses over the net?

I've found a few sites such as:
www.clearlycontacts.com.au
www.eyecontacts.com.au
www.opsmdirect.com.au

I am not sure if they are legit businesses because they claim up to 70% off.

So I was just wondering if people have had experiences in buying contact lenses online and if the service was legit.

looks pretty legit to me :D

but dont take my word for it.. Im the one that posted the thread "is this a scam" and almost fell for the scam i was asking about.. :)

I'm sure they are legit,particularly OPSM.Contact lenses are probably very cheap to manufacturer and most of the cost is added on by the retailer in store.After visiting www.clearlycontacts.com.au I am sure this is the case.I bought a new pair of lenses a couple of weeks ago and the same type online are almost half the price.Pity you didn't make this post then.I will definitely be buying my next set of lenses online.

Companies such as these can offer large discounts on lenses, mainly because they buy in large volumes, and can therefore negotiate a much better price than your average optician.

OPSM certainly is a legit company, in fact it is probably the largest optical chain in Australia.

Contact lenses are a highly regulated product, and therefore the supplier should be checking you are in possession of a current prescription, and any lens they sell will need to have all the necessary approvals from the TGA.

Even if you buy your lenses on-line, please remember to get your eyes checked on a regular basis, and follow all the directions and care regimes outlined by your eye doc.

maul writes...

Has anyone bought contact lenses over the net?

I've found a few sites such as:
www.clearlycontacts.com.au
www.eyecontacts.com.au
www.opsmdirect.com.au

Well i clearly don't "SEE" any problems buying from them. :P

Looks legit to me. Clearly Contacts looks damn good, the prices are up to half of what I've been paying at the optometrist's!

but dont you need to go get the size fitted and stuff?

The prescription gives all of that info, and legally, these companies cannot supply you lenses without a prescription. You may either need to fax them a copy, or give them the contact details of your optometrist, so they can confirm you do have a valid prescription.

The prescription will probably also give the brand of lenses the optom has prescribed (say Acuvue). What this means is you can only buy that brand.

If you want to change to another brand, then you need to go back to your eye doc and discuss this with him. He will probably need to trial the new brand on your eyes to ensure the fitting characteristics are the same.

Superpom writes...

legally, these companies cannot supply you lenses without a prescription. You may either need to fax them a copy, or give them the contact details of your optometrist, so they can confirm you do have a valid prescription.

Not according to www.clearlycontacts.com.au
To Purchase your lenses

i) After you find your lenses, enter in your prescription information using the drop down boxes provided. Then click "add to cart" at the bottom of the page.

ii) Enter your e-mail address, your province, and the type of shipping you would like. Then click on the "continue" button.

iii) Confirm your order. If it is correct, then enter your name, address and credit card information. Click on the "submit" button to receive your order confirmation number. This will let you know your order has been received and is on its way.
You do need a prescription to order the correct lenses and any optometrist should provide you with one but if you're silly enough to just order without a prescription to suit your vision there is nothing stopping you.I have kept the bottle that my lenses came in and could use those details and would receive the right lenses.

anyone tried these lol
www.clearlycontacts.com....8111944&CatID=12

Those are all legit companies. Optometrists don't make any money on exams, they make their money on CONTACTS and GLASSES. Secondly, a lot of those online companies ship from US where contacts(and pretty much everything) is cheaper.

I have personally ordered from www.contactsonline.com.au a couple of times in the past and they're been excellent. Cost about 60% less than what OPSM tried to charge for the same product.

They must check you have a current prescription otherwise they are contravening several laws.

If they were found not to be in compliance, the Therapeutic Goods Agency (TGA) will be on their case big time.

The TGA is not shy when it comes to shutting someone down: just look what happened to Pan Pharmaceuticals a couple of years back: every single product they made was withdrawn from sale

My girlfriend has purchased contact lenses from clearly contacts and because they shipped from the USA it took several weeks for them to arrive.
Last order she made was from www.webcontacts.com.au which was a lot faster because they are in Australia.
She has not had any problems ordering however the sites do require a copy of your contact lens prescription.

being whirlpool, i am surprised no 17yr old has made a pointless contribution to the thread and recommended to get lasik surgery instead.

ksystem writes...

dont you need to go get the size fitted and stuff?

Yes, absolutely. Fitting is a skilled profession. If the lenses don't fit right, then you needt to have them properly fitted.

On the subject of contact lenses. I use Aosept to clean my lenses and have noticed that a lot of Pharmacies are not stocking anymore. I can get bulk packs from my Opto but if there is an urgent need for the stuff...

Anyone else use Aosept and noticed the decline?

I will check these estores out and see if they sell it as well.

antonio123 writes...

being whirlpool, i am surprised no 17yr old has made a pointless contribution to the thread and recommended to get lasik surgery instead.

Fortunately, you've made up for that shortcoming with a pointless contribution of your own.

;) yes i know. Don't look now but who is dragging it on? hehe

May I add:

www.webcontacts.com.au

Thanks to this thread, i used opsmdirect and it worked a treat! Cheaper and free delivery.

smith

I just purchased some contact lenses for the first time through clearlycontract.com.au

I was interested in paying my account via the online website. However, while the site says that its secured, the 128-bit encryption is missing. They seem to be using e-pay. Any suggestions?

Hi people i have quite often used www.visiondirect.com
its the cheapest place to get them from, even if u include the shipping from the USA.

e.g from OPSM i would have to pay $49.00aus for a box of the ones i use

For the identical product from visiondirect including shipping(from USA) for 1 box the total was
$34.00aus. so that saved me $15.00 on 1 box. normally i buy 2-3 boxes at a time to make it even more worth it. Oh also they dont ask for any prescription, it claims on the website that they will process the order after they receive the prescription but that doesnt happen.

Delivery is also pretty quick.. normally about 5-8 days maximum.

I would definately recommend using these guys!

SmileyGuy writes...

They seem to be using e-pay. Any suggestions?

I think you can pay over the phone. I called up customer service to find out about my delivery. Think I'll be using fedex next time...

contacts. hmm. i wonder

I found the brand I wear listed on eyecontacts.

I currently pay $14 less per box from my optometrist.

I buy my contact lenses from www.eyesonline.com.au
I tried www.clearlycontacts.com.au once. Despite the au in the URL and the Australian flag on the site, they are an American operation shipping from America. The lenses took almost a month to arrive. I also did not appreciate how they advertise no postage but as soon as you order, they whack on a "handing fee" additional to the advertised price. eyesonline.com.au had helpful and efficient staff and my lenses arrived in 2 days by Express Post. The only internet company for buying contact lenses is www.eyesonline.com.au. They are Australian owned and their service is excellent.

I use Net Optical Australia www.netoptical.com.au. They are helpful and the lenses come quickly from Queensland. They are a bit cheaper than the others but are a bit harder to find in Google.

I have placed orders with Clearly Contacts twice. Both times, my Amex card was not only over-charged but in Canadian dollars, for some weird reason. The over-charging was subsequently rectified after I pointed out the mistake, but I wonder how many people using that service do not check their credit card statements. The mistake was not apparent in the confirmatory e-mails to me.

i've used www.optics-online.com.au for the last few years. always found them to be by far the cheapest (at least for acuvue). also good for frames/lenses (usually about 1/2 the price you'd pay at OPSM etc).

though www.eyesonline.com.au promise to price match, so will see what they can do.

Clearly Contacts
I was invoiced for $72.78 which i payed and they charged my credit card for $77.33

As from the Heroes thread...I want some white contact lenses....anyone know the best place to get some?

After finding this thread I bought some Ciba contacts from www.netoptical.com.au - very impressed with service. Ordered Sunday received today (Wed).

Saved myself $70 over my regular optometrist.

I'd go with eyecontacts.

Clearlycontacts were stuffed and charged me in US dollars. Bloody nightmare to get in contact with them and get refund.

Forget that stick with local eyecontacts very efficient and reliable.

I've bought some from discountcontactlenses.com before

Takes a few weeks to arrive but much cheaper.

I use www.netoptical.com.au and 2-3 days for delivery is about normal. I have once had my lenses in one day but on congratulating them, they said that it is not normally this fast and not to expect this normally! There was one time when the lenses were out of stock in Australia (apparently) and it took a week.

They let me know though.

I am very happy and will keep using them. My optometrist is a bit sad as he can't compete with the prices from www.netoptical.com.au (~40% less).

yes netoptical is fantastic, i was paying about $70-90 dollars from my optometrist till i started with them, im saving about 40 dollars.

Hi guys, this might be a little off topic, but which solution do you use? I use Bausch and Lomb ReNu but it seems that it's been partially discontinued now.

don't you need a script for buying contact lenses??

Debian writes...

Hi guys, this might be a little off topic, but which solution do you use? I use Bausch and Lomb ReNu but it seems that it's been partially discontinued now.

Only Renu with Moisturelock has been discontinued. The multipurpose solution is still on sale.

kyoshokev writes...

don't you need a script for buying contact lenses??

In Australia, definitely.

any sites that dont require a script?

i dont think my optomotrist that i have been seeing for 5 years would appreciate if i bought elsewhere.

That net optical site is great. I'll be getting my next pair from them I think.

kyoshokev writes...

any sites that dont require a script?

i dont think my optomotrist that i have been seeing for 5 years would appreciate if i bought elsewhere.

Maybe not but they are required to supply you with your script information if you ask for it.

I've been wearing contacts for many years and have tried most of the online sites.

The one I have been most pleased with is www.nogap.com.au

They have the best prices and after claiming my private health fund it did not cost me anything.

They also offer free delivery and have an option to flat pack it so it fits in your postbox.

.

pa1n writes...

So I was just wondering if people have had experiences in buying contact lenses online and if the service was legit.

I purchase contact lenses online for my Hubby from www.webcontacts.com.au

Once you get your prescription from an Optometrist, you can just send it through to them and they supply the contacts as they keep the prescription on file for you.

I have purchased from Clearly Contacts and all was fine. Delivery was quick and easy but they are an American company despite trying to pass themselves off as Australian. They don't have the same regs as the Australian companies

Another note for webcontacts.com.au who my family have used on occasion.

OPSM direct are run by OPSM and are reliable - however they are also one of the most expensive unless you order 12 months supply at a time.

You will need a valid prescription (e.g faxed) over. But there's nothing stopping you from getting a prescription from your optometrist. Then declining buying contacts at the store and simply making a copy of it to send to an online vendor.

Tanalasta writes...

OPSM direct are run by OPSM and are reliable - however they are also one of the most expensive unless you order 12 months supply at a time.

they also price match their online competitions - get a good price from a competitor then drop them an email - I did and they gladly matched the price I had

they will contact your optometrist on your behalf and get the script. just make sure it's current - most scripts only last for 12 months (which is OK, cause if you're wearing contacts you should be getting your eyes checked every 12 months anyway (and this is
covered by medicare)

BL

Just received an order of contacts at our door. Paying less than half the cost and have 15days to pay.

From Clearly Contacts.

Edit: Thanks greatly to the OP for bringing this to my attention.

Hi Whirlpoolers,

Has someone found the best price in Australia for SofLens (Bausch and Lomb) dailies (sometimes rebadged as "Activize")?

Best I've found so far is $33 for 30 lenses (www.budgeteyeweardirect.com.au).

Or from the USA $37.95 USD for 90, we aussies are a bit expensive aren't we?

I just got my latest lenses from www.netoptical.com.au and were pleased to see their prices have gone down a bit. I had my lenses 20 hours after ordering.

I checked out Clearly Contacts after seeing this forum and their prices looked cheaper at first. My lenses on Eyes On Line are $84 each box for 2 boxes and shipping is free. Sounds good until they quoted $181+ for the lenses. The thing that you might not notice is that they charge a $13+ handling fee - and don't tell you about it until you have bought your lenses.

From www.netoptical.com.au they were cheaper which is good, but mainly they are good as they didn't try to sneak any extra charges in like Clearly Contacts.

Hi,

i found a site where you can compare contact lenses prices here:

www.cl66.org/contact_lenses_prices

kyoshokev writes...

any sites that dont require a script?

i've ordered from www.optics-online.com.au before without a script

i dont think my optomotrist that i have been seeing for 5 years would appreciate if i bought elsewhere.

who cares?

I ordered from www.aclens.com. It took a while to get here (28 days), but I chose the cheap shipping method and it was over xmas/new year. Half price of Aussie shops, highly recommended :)

P.S Type "WINTER" in the comments section and you get $10 off.

i've never had contacts before and am looking to change to them.

how much are you guys usually spending for a year's worth of contacts?
what about for coloured contacts? how much more expensive are they?

Clearly Contacts
I was invoiced for $72.78 which i payed and they charged my credit card for $77.33

i havent been using contacts long, got them last year around november and still havent perfected the art of quickly putting contacts in your eye. Now nearing february ill be continuing my studies and would like the convenience of not putting in contacts each morning and cleaning them then storing them away at night.

I'm currently using those proclear allday contacts that last a month each. Does anyone reckon i could start using those ones where u sleep with them on?
Do i need to ask my optometrist and why?

And can anyone suggest a pair of contacts they use; that you can sleep with, for at least 2 weeks or a month.

CIU writes...

I'm currently using those proclear allday contacts that last a month each. Does anyone reckon i could start using those ones where u sleep with them on?
Do i need to ask my optometrist and why?

Definitely ask your optometrist. They will do an examination to check the blood vessels in your eyes aren't expanding (can't remember the technical terms). Mine were and I was urged to change from yearlys (clean every night) to disposable dailies.

My eyes are much healthier now. Plus I couldn't go back to having to clean them every night...10 years of that....what a pain.

The only downside is the added expense for dailies. Convenience & eye health win out for me though.

jas0nt writes...

how much are you guys usually spending for a year's worth of contacts?
what about for coloured contacts? how much more expensive are they?

Depends what sort you use. My disposable dailies cost me about $600 year.

Tinted ones cost extra - I tried the daily tints but they felt much thicker & hurt my eyes.

You're looking at about $2 per day for dailies. Weekly/monthly might be a little less but then you have to buy all those cleaning and saline solutions.

I'm paying about AU $1.10 per day for dailies (ordered from US). Less than a coffee or can of Coke, doesn't seem so bad.
Coloured? No idea. Just try one of the web sites people listed, prices are there.

I've used www.eyecontacts.com.au for about a year and half - they have been very good to me and have always delivered on time (you can request express postage for about $10)
I have looked into US sites, but the wait for lenses is an issue for me, inevitably I only realise that I am running out a few days before I actually need them!
Using Night & Day 30 day lenses btw.

when you guys say "prescription", aren't they just the data that has already written on the box of your current contact lens? for example, the prescription, the size, the curve shape etc? what else do you need that you need to get it from your Optometrist?

Hi oakton,

I can only speak for the website that I use, but that is all you need to order - the data on the side of the contact lense box. From memory, when signing up on the website, I was asked to provide my optometrist's name and details (I am not sure whether they verified my details with him or not)

A prescription is what your optometrist writes for you, much the same as your doctor will write you a prescription for medication.

A contact lens prescription will contain information listing the make of the lens and key lens parameters (lens power and basecurve). Toric lenses will also have additional parameters listed (cyl power and axis).

Most people will refer these lens parameters as being their prescription.

Guys,

Do you have private health insurance as well? Or I guess what I'm saying is - have you been able to claim a rebate from your private health insurance (i'm with medibank private but will soon go solo as i'm still leeching from my parents fund/name). Does it apply to both the Aussie and U.S based sites?

I've been wearing contacts for over ten years and for the last six I've been using the CibaVision Night and Day. Each time I get another 12 months supply I search all the on line suppliers and compare prices. There are more eStores than ever and prices vary greatly. I bought my last lot from nogap as they were the cheapest by as much as $200! I paid $348 - my optometrist wanted nearly double that. I don't know why people are still buying from stores in the US given the number in Australia now.

Just on these type of lenses, for anyone who is sick of cleaning and inserting/removing lenses every day these are awesome. I do a lot of spearfishing and camping so it's great being able to put some lenses in and forget about them for 30 days. At the end of the month you just take them out and chuck them in the bin. No solutions, no cleaning.

It's very important you talk to your optometrist first, and religously stick to the check up schedule as you have to get your eyes checked quite a few times in the first 6 months. If you don't you could end up in a world of hurt if your eyes react badly to them. You could even damage your eyes to such an extent that you'll never be able to wear any type of contacts again.

I've read quite a few opinions on contact lenses and i keep coming upon the notion that "disposable dailies" are not a good option for every day use. I was thinking of using them for every day at uni.

can anyone advise me on this? besides the cost, which i dont think is that bad.

I have used these people for many years:
www.eyecontact.styleplaza.co.nz
However, you'll see that they are no longer competitive. I shopped around and found eyecontacts.com.au (or perhaps it was a different one?) that appeared to supply from the same shop, but with much lower rates.

I don't know why so many of these online suppliers are in QLD.

I've never had any problems - always fast and accurate. Last purchase was for two years supply (to use up optical allowance on a health fund)

CIU writes...

I've read quite a few opinions on contact lenses and i keep coming upon the notion that "disposable dailies" are not a good option for every day use. I was thinking of using them for every day at uni.

can anyone advise me on this? besides the cost, which i dont think is that bad.

If you don't mind the cost then dailies are good. A new pair everyday. I'm not sure on any other disadvantages.

sh0rty writes...

Do you have private health insurance as well?

I'm another very happy www.netoptical.com.au user. Been using them for some time now, however I previously ordered from the USA.

Reason I changed is because you can claim your Medibank or other private health insurance provider with Net Optical. You can even do it online on the Medibank website, and they send you a check in the mail.

So not only do I save about 40% on buying my contacts from NetOptical, I also claim back most of the costs from Medibank! If you choose the right brand, wearing contacts can be less than fifty bucks a year.

Terranen Dinoniel writes...

If you choose the right brand

If you choose the right optometrist. None of the ones I've been to have ever let me choose a particular brand, they always just prescribe one. And whaddya know, it's always the one with the biggest price tag. But I'm sure that's just a coincidence, nothing to worry about.

Wow, contacts in for 30 days. Doesn't it get terribly irritating around day 28, 29? Don't you accidently rub your eyes at night and cause some redness?

CIU, dailies for use everyday sounds fine to me, if you don't mind the cost, why not? There's always the much reduced risk of infection with dailies. When you make an appointment, you'll get a few free lenses to try, so you'll see if they work for you.
My optometrist suggested going with weeklies/monthlies if you want to wear contacts more than two times per week, but just to reduce the cost. There didn't seem to be any medical/optical reason.

Thanks Terranen Dinoniel for the response.... yeah they seem pretty cheap over the net .... one last question - with the website you mentioned, I'm with medibank private as well ... can you claim back the entire amount to your limit? or do they only pay up to a percentage of the amount purchased?

Think it depends on what Medibank plan you're on. I'm personally able to claim $50 for each 3 month supply of contact lenses I purchase.

I hate looking through those Medibank 'information brochures' because I find them extremely confusing. Your best bet for finding out is just to make the claim and see how much they end up giving you.

Terranen Dinoniel writes...

If you choose the right brand, wearing contacts can be less than fifty bucks a year.

just out of interest what brand do you use? also, how much more expensive are coloured contacts compared to clear ones?

Yeah they look very legit. As long as you already know your lense size. Then it should be fine. And OPSM is an actual proper company so you shouldn't worry too much

OPSM direct seems to be extremely cheap. i can get a year's worth of Acuvues for $12 after my NIB health fund rebates me $200. tell me this is correct and i'm not dreaming...?

Be careful if ordering from clearlycontacts.com.au (USA based).

The first time i ordered from them a couple of years ago everything was sweet but they seem to have gone downhill since.

The second time i ordered from them i got multiple phonecalls/emails from the USA demanding payment for lenses that i hadn't yet received. Eventually the lenses showed up and i payed. They were not at all friendly or apologetic for their stuffup.

Also be careful when clicking on emails from them asking if you want to reorder. I clicked on a link in an old email and their website appeared with an invoice for $10 more (per box of lenses) and a handling charge of $10 that wasn't mentioned in the email. There was no 'confirm order' process. One click in an email on a link that said 'reorder here' and they immediately processed an order and invoiced me (and in my case for an amount way different to that in the email). I'll wait to see if they respond to my email to cancel that.

I've also been stung by them with the credit card bill being more than the invoice amount (around $5) probably due to them working in $US even though their .au website is in $AUD and the order is in $AUD.

looks like OPSM direct is the way to go.

jas0nt writes...

looks like OPSM direct is the way to go.

Only if you order at least a year's supply. Otherwise their RRP prices are extremely expensive.

The thing with contact lenses over spectacles is that they're premade and standardised (individualised lenses an exception) but the vast majority use disposables. Which means it doesn't matter where you get them provided the expiry date is reasonable and that you can simply choose the 'cheapest' place. That said, I can't speak that highly of OPSM Perth having just paid $700 for a pair of glasses there as I've paid half in Hong Kong for obviously superior lenses workmanship.

My advice with contact lenses is to shop around. Myer Optical Superstore have reasonable prices and when I used to go there regularly, prices were negotiable. A lot of smaller boutiques will also move on price.

My recommendations - having talked to optometrist friends and also trialled pretty much every toric disposable on the market - in no particular order:
1. Soflens66 for the budget conscious. They're dirt cheap and comfortable. Old and dry out easily being the disadvantage.
2. Purevision Torics are considered one of the best on the market but expensive. You can sleep in them for 30 days but most people take them daily. They breathe better than the older material contact lenses and are well made.
3. Proclear are extremely comfortable and recommended for those with dry eyes.

I'm currently using Purevisions. With CibaVision Focus Toric Dailies for the beach.

If you're with Medibank Private MyOptions Plus (the package recommended for young adults) - your flexibonus allows you to claim contacts in addition to the 'cap' of $200. Which means if you've been with Medibank Private >5 years and don't use your bonus for other things like dental/physio etc... you can claim $400 on a single annual purchase of contacts.

Or $50 (cap for 3 months) - although some optometrists may 'blur' this for you as they can put it through as a 6 or 12 month purchase + $200 flexibonus. Most won't.

My brother uses www.coastalcontacts.com whereas I prefer the brick&mortar store.

what's your opinion on Johnson and Johnson's Acuvues?

jas0nt writes...

Johnson and Johnson's Acuvues

The non-toric lenses have always been quite popular.

However, their first attempt with astigmatic toric lenses were a disaster for poor balancing design. Toric lenses are weighted or ballasted to sit in a correct alignment to correct for astigmatism.

I haven't tried the newer generation of J&J lenses. However, by reputation - I believe the non-toric acuvue lenses are quite good :)

If you don't have astigmatism then you'll find it much easier to try contact lenses. Cheap too! A good optometrist should be willing to order several brands of 'trial lenses' for you so that you can trial what works best for you. Of course, sometimes it comes down to personal preference rather than having the latest technology... and cost :P Most should have Acuvue samples 'on hand' and if they didn't should have them within a week or two of requesting them in your prescription. Of course, this requires you having a good relationship with your optometrist and a valid prescription.

jas0nt writes...

looks like OPSM direct is the way to go.

If you want Australian, www.budgeteyeweardirect.com.au is a little cheaper and owned by the same company.

thanks mate!

JRB writes...

WebContacts - Online, On Cost, On Demand

Do you work for WebContacts? ;) They are quite expensive for my type (B&L one day).

JRB writes...

WebContacts - Online, On Cost, On Demand

First poster, stealth marketing methinks!

╠Teddles╣ writes...

First poster, stealth marketing methinks!

Ditto.. Anyone interested in ordering from WebContacts.. PM me first.

They may be an Australian front, but everything happens in the States. They NEVER answer the phone, they NEVER answer email queries. Took me ages to get my lenses, and I'm still ( 7+ months later ) waiting for a receipt to claim it from my health fund. Run away is my advice !

** corrected spelling

Hi Terranen,

Did you mean Medibank private??

Just have a Q, if i purchased some contact lens from USA website will i sill be able to claim refund from medibank private? Or do i have to purchase within Aus?

Cheers

Tanalasta writes...

A good optometrist should be willing to order several brands of 'trial lenses' for you so that you can trial what works best for you.

That's true, but it's important to know that there may be a fee for the optometrist's services as Medicare doesn't cover contact lens related consultations, unless you have quite a high prescription.

For ordinary eye examinations the majority of optometrists bulk-bill, but that's generally not possible with contacts.

altenza writes...

Just have a Q, if i purchased some contact lens from USA website will i sill be able to claim refund from medibank private? Or do i have to purchase within Aus?

Don't think you can claim ones bought from the USA. Medibank requires you to put in a 'provider number' where you can only put in businesses that have been registered with Medibank.

I have been buying mine from Singapore without any problem. Prices are comparable to the US websites and postage is dirt cheap ($1.50 per box).
www.aalens.com

scubadude writes...

Ditto.. Anyone interested in ordering from WebContacts.. PM me first.

They may be an Australian front, but everything happens in the States. They NEVER answer the phone, they NEVER answer email queries. Took me ages to get my lenses, and I'm still ( 7+ months later ) waiting for a receipt to claim it from my health fund. Run away is my advice !

An error on my part has recently been brought to my attention, and I hereby gladly offer a correction.

The company I dealt with was in fact ClearlyContacts - who are based in Canada. The rest of the statement above still stands, referring to ClearlyContacts.

The one time I have dealt with WebContacts, their service has been professional, courteous, quick and efficient. I will happily deal with them again in future.

WebContacts, please accept my unreserved apology for this.

I'm not sure where you guys are buying your Contact lenses from, but my Optometrist charges me $75 for my Focus Monthly visitints (1 box, 6 lenses). That's exactly the same price (give or take 50c) as Clearlycontacts, and there's no waiting at all (They usually have my prescription in stock).
So if anyone's on the North Shore of Sydney, Optics Hornsby seem to be exactly the same price as these guys, and their service is absolutely awesome.

LG

thanks for the info guys
my 'night and day' montlhy lenses are $150/box rrp, my optometrist charges me $130
i can get them online for about $85....

That day of the year ... gotta buy contacts (within a month)
Thinking of getting a private extras cover .. to reimbruse at least half my cost ...

Had a look around ... all seem to have a 6 month waiting period for optical
is there any that doesn't ??? OR myabe a 2 month waiting period would do ...

Also anyone here that uses O2 Optix brand ? Any recommendations
I did get a free trial one from my optometrist ... felt alright to me

Cheers

When I last when to OPSM they told me O2 got recalled O.o I thought they were alright but aparently not. Maybe check with your optomistrist to see if they are ok now.

Anyway the new brand they gave me feels even better, shame I can't remember it right now...

Verdana writes...

When I last when to OPSM they told me O2 got recalled O

Yeah I read about that recall . But I tried them and they seemed better than my current Cooper Vision Soft Lens which seem to dry too fast.

Just wanted to know if anybody uses O2 Optix regularly and their feedback ?

What other Oxygenated (is that a word?) Lenses are more popular ?? The Optometrist just wants to sell me the expensive ones ..

I have found these guys really good. stores.colourcontactlens...t/StoreFront.bok

they sent them over night for me.. and have a lot of colours and rave lenses.

Another experience ordering from the US:
This time I ordered from discountcontactlenses.com and they arrived after 9 days. Cost me AU 52c per lens for dailies (inc postage/exchange rate), best deal I've gotten yet!

i just ordered from net optical
so it will be interesting to see what their service is like

their prices are certainly better than my optometrist

www.netoptical.com.au

pa1n writes...

Has anyone bought contact lenses over the net?

I would never do that, I've heard, read and seen too many stories about people buying contacts online from dodgy brothers and getting serious eye problems, one girl I read about even went blind.

hi hello kitty

well i am getting my contacts for $85 from a legitimate, registered business, netoptical, that has been around for over 5 years, vs paying $130 from my local optometrist....

i agree, i wouldn't buy from some dodgy place that is overseas
but saving nearly $45/box is a good saving in my books !!!

so let me get this straight.......

you stick you flapping finger onto your EYE?? crazy bastards

Admittedly I only have one functioning eye, and would never put anythig near it....glasses for me if needed.

I could never do it.

our contact lenses arrived from netoptical
exactly as paid for and packed very nicely

thumbs up on the good service !

Great reading. Very interesting.
I am thinking of getting rid of my glasses, my main glasses are multifocal but I still enjoy different single vision glasses when looking at tricky work close by, different monitors or other situations.
A German friend got multifocal contact lenses a couple of weeks ago and is over the moon with the fact "no more glasses needed"
I went to my optomotrist and was told that "Monovision" is the way to go and "there is no such thing as multifocal in contacts. He was very unhelpful. He emphasized on a special appointment I'd have to have which would be $100 where I would get advise and free lenses to try. After that any other appointment to make necessary changes would trigger another $65.
Now I don't mind paying for the initial consultation or follow ups but him insisting on Monovision being the ultimate and only solution for contacts did put me off. I want to be able to switch between glasses and contacts as my friend is able to (she wears both without problems) and I don't have any eye problems whatsoever.
Training each eye to a different task doesn't appeal to me at all.

Main question for me now is were to find a reasonable optomotrist who is up to date with today's technology. I am living in the southern suburbs of Perth.
Anyone ???

I've been using O2 lenses for the past year and a half and find them to be very good. Prior to O2 I used Cooper Vision lenses but they were uncomfortable to wear so I only wore them a few days a week.

I've also been a Netoptical customer for more than a year - so far their service has been excellent!!

I use and recommend www.aalens.com/home.asp

They are from Singapore and I have been ordering my contact lens from them for a while now. I use Focus Night and Day and it used to cost me over $100 a box at the Optical Superstore but I now pay about $44 US a box from AA, it works out at about $50ish AUD depending on the current exchange rate. Delivery is $1 USD and it takes about 4 - 7 working days to get my lens from them.

I live in Adelaide so if you live in the Eastern states, it'll probably take a couple of days less. They have a very small range but if they carry what you use then you should try them.

Edit: fixed link, seems html is not working?

hi

i buy from clearly contacts all the time , have been buying them for over 2years now
with no problems , and they much cheaper

highly recommend

Anyone tried www.conceptlens.com.au ???

:) Purevision are at a great price... and delivery offer also.

coolio writes...

Anyone tried www.conceptlens.com.au ???

I might if the site worked

brought some coloured ones of ebay.....loved em didnt have a problem got 2 pairs for $35

UltimateWarrior writes...

brought some coloured ones of ebay.....loved em didnt have a problem got 2 pairs for $35

Can you please link me to the seller :)

UltimateWarrior writes...

brought some coloured ones of ebay.....loved em didnt have a problem got 2 pairs for $35

Don't EVER do this,