Cheapest "method" to get prescription to buy contact lenses online?

Soldato
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Anyone able to tell me which opticians will do the cheapest (or cheaper) deal to get a contact lens prescription for online purchases please? Basically ther cheapest "consultation" etc. I have worn contacts before, but just need a valid prescription for online purchases.

Also, which online places would you recommend for purchasing them from.

Probably looking for daily disposables.
 
Go down to specsavers should be able to get yourself a free eye check. (haggle a bit, they gave me one :))

that or go to boots they used to do mine free (used to get prescription at boots then go to specsavers for glasses)
 
Sign up to Boots Health Club and you'll be entitled to a free eye test at Boots Opticians. Joining the Health Club is completely free and you get other perks like half price vitamins and regular money off coupons too

that was a quote btw
 
Sign up to Boots Health Club and you'll be entitled to a free eye test at Boots Opticians. Joining the Health Club is completely free and you get other perks like half price vitamins and regular money off coupons too

that was a quote btw

On their website it says "see welcome pack for details" So I'd guess there are some T&C hidden away, probably free when you purchase a pair of glasses. There's always a catch :p

Specsavers are the cheapest, and usually cheaper or very similar price compared to online for lenses.
 
Cheers guys. A normal eye test isnt enough though is it?

To get contacts they also do some other measurements....something like the "dish" of your eye is measured etc. so the contacts fit properly.
 
You need to try different base curves for different contact lenses. I know CIBA Vision Air Optix uses a higher base curve than Coopervision Frequency Xcel. Best is getting trials from the place you get the contact lense eye test from and then after a week or two deciding which is the best one and then ordering online.
 
The contact lenses script is a bit funny as there isn't a set legislation which says you can't have it, or you can. Opticians use best practise guidelines to cover their backs. Specsavers give the script, but they don't give the full version because they want you to buy lenses from them. Optical Express, Boots (which have now taken over D&A) and Vision Express will gladly fax patients’ scripts to each other but will not give them to the patient. Reason being is after few weeks of trying lenses you'd need to go in for a contact lenses after care to see if everything is okay or the prescription might be out of date. If the patient has the script, they are less likely to do this because they've probably purchased lenses online.
You can buy lenses online, but be careful. I've many cases where patients buy cheap lenses and then come running back when irritation occurs, or when they've scratched the surface of the cornea.
 
I've had my contacts prescription from Optical Express a few times, so it's definitely not true that they won't give it to the customer.

You will need a contact lens check, not just an eye check. The best way is probably going for a free trial and then asking for a copy of your prescription at the end of the trial period.
 
Asda Opticians if there is one near you will almost certainly be the cheapest, the eye test is free obv and the contact lens consultation is £15 then the appointments are free after that if you buy from asda online which is also very cheap for contacts themselves.
 
CYL is the correction for astigmatism. Did your optician mention whether you would need toric lenses?
If you get the lenses from daysoft, make sure you use the trial strip before opening the box. I've tried several different types of lens and solution with no problems, but the daysoft lenses were annoyingly floppy and stung like I'd just poured soap in my eyes.
 
Hi Vixen, no, no mention of ever needing toric lenses.

Also, if your glasses prescription said -2.5 for instance, would your lenses be the same?

Or is the magnification different as the lenses are right on your eyes or something??

Thanks for help. :)
 
Contacts aren't always the same as glasses. My contacts prescription is weaker than my glasses and my boyfriends is stronger, from the same optician.
I asked about torics because you have the CYL adjustment on your prescription, if it's too high then you need different lenses to correct the astigmatism. If you've never heard anything about it then you shouldn't have a problem.

If you only got a glasses prescription, I'd recommend going back for a contacts trial. Your eyes should be tested to make sure they're not too dry and the contacts will be comfortable. I'm not sure if it's the same in England, but a lot of opticians up here offer a months free trial (or a week for dailies).
 
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