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. Contact lens wearers are usually surprised and happy with the level of comfort that lenses provide. If you've always wanted to change your eye color, color contact lenses can provide baby blues, gorgeous greens, heavenly hazels -- even various patterns and designs.

Among the many kinds of 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. Before you buy contact lenses from anyone other than your eye care professional, it pays to be a wise consumer.

Rigid gas permeable lenses tend to be less expensive over the life of the lens since they last longer than soft lenses. There are differences in the water content and shape of the lens between different brands. People who have good distance vision but need help for reading can get a monovision reading lens for one eye.

The length of continuous lens wear depends on the lens type and your doctor's evaluation of your tolerance for overnight wear. Keep in mind contact lenses are often more complex than it appears. The expiration date for your prescription is currently set by your state requiring a one-year or two-year renewal; if your state hasn't set a minimum expiration date, government regulation sets a one-year date unless your eye doctor determines there's a medical reason for less than one year.

With planned-replacement lenses, the doctor works out a replacement schedule tailored to the needs of each patient. There are also a few rigid gas permeable lenses that are designed and approved for overnight wear. Soft lenses also come as disposable products, that is, used once and discarded, or as planned-replacement lenses.

You can become adjusted to soft lenses within just a few days, compared to several weeks for rigid ones. Extra-thin soft lenses are on the market for very sensitive people.

When you place your contact lens order, request the manufacturer's written patient information for your contact lenses; it'll give you important risk and benefit information as well as instructions for use. Ask about 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.

Before you buy online, check to see if there are any testimonials at the online supplier's website. Get a feel for how the retailer handles customer service calls; in case you have a problem after your order arrives. Beware of attempts to substitute a brand different from the one you want when buying contacts.

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. Wherever you buy, shop for quality and value and don't forget you want to do what's best for your eye health. There are many good contact lens retailers now on the Internet making their lenses available at a good discount for prescription and non-prescription lenses.

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. Heat disinfection 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. Daily-wear lenses are removed daily for cleaning and are a safer choice, provided they aren't worn during sleep.

Don't wear lenses any longer than they're prescribed for, nor when sleeping unless you are otherwise directed. Basic rule: never swap your contact lenses with anyone else. When the eyes are open, tears carry adequate oxygen to the cornea to keep it healthy, but during sleep, the eye produces fewer tears, causing the cornea to swell.

Make sure you've done your homework before you buy any pair of contact lenses. It's becoming easier and easier all the time to shop online and often the shipping is free. Laser surgery and its risks can be frightening and too expensive for some people; contacts can provide a safe, comfortable and time-tested alternative.