Among the many kinds of contact lenses available today are: novelty, colored, crazy, Halloween, special effects, theatrical, costume, scary, glow in the dark, wild eyes, mirrored, black, white, and red. Be careful about buying cheap contact lenses, they may not be the quality you want; discounted quality contact lenses are the most desirable. The choice of which lens is right for you should be based only on an examination by your doctor or eyecare professional, not over the phone. Once you have the prescription in hand you can look for discounted lenses online.

Contact lens sales are solely regulated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and the FTC (Federal Trade Commission.) And all correcting contact lenses must have a valid prescription from an ophthalmologist or optometrist.

Extended wear contact lenses are used for overnight or continuous wear ranging anywhere from one to six nights or up to 30 days. There are differences in the water content and shape of the contact lens between different brands. There are also a few rigid gas-permeable lenses designed and approved for overnight wear.

Although easier to handle and less likely to tear, rigid gas-permeable lenses are not as comfortable in the beginning as soft contacts and it may take a few weeks to get used to wearing them compared to just a few days for soft contacts. There are two types of contact lenses - soft and rigid gas permeable. You can become adjusted to soft lenses within a few days, compared to several weeks for the rigid ones.

In some models, each lens corrects for near and distance vision and in others, one lens is for near vision, and the other is for distance vision. Rigid gas permeable lenses tend to be cheaper over the life of the lens since they last longer than soft lenses. Rigid gas permeable contact lenses are more durable, resistant to deposit buildup, and generally give clearer, crisper vision.

Rigid lenses don't absorb chemicals, unlike soft lenses which will soak up residue from your hands like soap and lotion. If you plan to wear lenses for more than 18 hours for the purpose of changing your eye color, then buy colored soft lenses.

You want to always buy from a reputable company; you can buy contact lenses without a prescription, but then the company is selling you a prescription device as if it were an over-the-counter device violating FTC regulations by selling you contact lenses without having your prescription. Ask about lens prices at your doctor's office when you have your eye examination, or during a follow-up visit after you get your prescription. Check out how long the online supplier has been in business before you buy from them.

Focus on value, not the price; most people looking for the best price are really looking for the best value. Get a feel for how the retailer handles customer service calls, in case you end up having a problem after your order arrives. There are many good discount contact lens retailers now on the Internet making their lenses available at a good discount for both prescription and non-prescription lenses.

Rebates sometimes are available from the seller, from the manufacturer, for first-time contact lens wearers and for individuals who buy lenses and get an eye exam - make sure to ask. Beware of any attempts to substitute a brand different from the one you want when buying contacts. You can buy discount contact lenses from an eye doctor, on the Internet, from an optical store or a warehouse club.

One sight-threatening concern is the infection Acanthamoeba keratitis, which is caused by improper car of the lens; this difficult-to-treat parasitic infection's symptoms are similar to those of corneal ulcers. Daily-wear lenses are removed daily for cleaning and are a safer choice, provided they aren't worn while you're sleeping. A basic rule: never swap your contact lenses with anyone else.

The risk of corneal ulcers for people who keep extended-wear lenses in overnight is 10 to 15 times greater than for those people who use daily-wear lenses only while they are awake. Heat disinfection is the only effective method against the microorganism Acanthamoeba keratitis, a common culprit for contact lens wearers, and it also kills organisms in and on the lens case. Under the binding down of a rigid contact lens during sleep, the flow of tears and oxygen to the cornea is reduced. The lack of oxygen leaves the eye vulnerable to infection.

If you are planning to buy discount contact lenses, you should buy the best quality you can get, even at a higher price; you don't want to skimp on quality when it comes to your eyes. Shopping for contacts online will save you a lot of money; contact lenses are deeply discounted. Laser or LASIK surgery and its risks can be frightening and too expensive for some people; contacts can provide a safer, more comfortable alternative.