Contact lens sales are regulated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and the FTC (Federal Trade Commission.) You'll want to take simple precautions to make any discount lens purchase safe and effective. Among the many kinds of discount contact lenses you can buy are: novelty, colored, crazy, Halloween, special effects, theatrical, costume, scary, glow in the dark, wild eyes, mirrored, black, white, and red.

Always buy from a reputable company; you can buy discount contact lenses without a prescription, but the company is selling you a prescription device as if it were an over-the-counter device, in violation of FTC regulations - selling you lenses without having a prescription from you. The choice of which lens is right for you should be based only on an examination by your doctor or eye care professional, not over the phone.

Rigid lenses don't absorb chemicals, unlike soft lenses which will soak up residue from your hands like soap or lotion. You can mark rigid lenses to show which lens is for which eye; they don't rip or tear, so they're easy to handle. Bifocal correction is possible with both soft and rigid lenses.

While the ability to hold water increases the oxygen permeability of soft lenses, it increases their fragility quotient as well. Rigid lenses generally give you more clear vision. There are also a few rigid gas permeable lenses that are designed and approved for overnight wear.

Soft lenses are easier to adjust and are much more comfortable than rigid lenses, because they conform to the eye and absorb and hold water. There are several types of lenses including: soft contact lenses, rigid gas permeable lenses, extended wear lenses and disposables. You can become adjusted to soft lenses within just a few days, compared to several weeks for 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. It's important for your eyes to have a rest, without lenses, for at least one night following each scheduled removal.

Before you buy online, check to see if there are any testimonials at the online supplier's website. Focus on value, not just the price; most people looking for the best price are really looking for the best value. Buy your contact lenses from a supplier you're familiar with and know is reliable or who has name familiarity

Always buy from a reputable company; you can buy contact lenses without a prescription, but 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. Check out how long the online supplier has been in business before you buy. When you receive your order, if you think you've received an incorrect contact lens, check with your doctor or eye care professional right away; don't accept any substitution unless your eye care professional approves it.

Rebates may be available from the seller, from the manufacturer, for first-time contact lens wearers and for individuals who buy lenses and get an eye exam. You can buy contact lenses from an eye doctor, on the Internet, from an optical store or a warehouse club. Compare prices - get quotes from two or three online and offline suppliers.

Heat disinfections is the only method effective against the microorganism Acanthamoeba keratitis, a common culprit for contact lens wearers, and it also kills organisms in and on the lens case. Always throw away disposable lenses after the recommended wearing period. Be aware that extended-wear (overnight) contact lenses - rigid or soft - increase the risk of corneal ulcers, which are infection-caused eruptions on the cornea that can lead to blindness; symptoms include vision changes, eye redness, eye discomfort or pain, and excessive tearing.

Under the binding down of a rigid contact lens during sleep, the flow of tears and oxygen to the cornea is reduced; lack of oxygen leaves the eye vulnerable to infection. One sight-threatening concern is the infection Acanthamoeba keratitis, which is caused by improper lens care; this difficult-to-treat parasitic infection's symptoms are similar to those of corneal ulcers. To be sure your eyes remain healthy you shouldn't order lenses with a prescription that's expired or stock up on lenses right before the prescription is about to expire; it's much safer to be re-checked by your eye doctor.

Laser surgery and its risks can be frightening and too expensive for some people; contacts can provide a safe, comfortable and time-tested alternative. If you're planning to buy contact lenses at a discount, 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. If you prefer the way you look without glasses or find glasses to be cumbersome and awkward, contacts can provide the ease, convenience and comfort you need.