5 Reasons to Purchase Contact Lenses from Your Eye Doctor

Authored by:
Jerry Robben OD, MD
Chief Optometrist and Director of Clinical Research
Bowden Eye & Associates

​When is the last time that you had an eye exam? Regular eye exams are important for your vision and overall health, and your eye doctor is a healthcare provider who is there for you, to be your advocate in providing you with the best care available. 

This includes the exam itself as well as their vision correction solutions.  Many people are not aware, but eye exams are not just about getting glasses or contact lenses—they can be critical in identifying serious health concerns that may go unnoticed or be delayed in diagnosis without a regular eye exam, even in people who feel they have good vision. If seeing your eye doctor doesn’t seem to be on top of your priority list, you should probably reconsider that.

Updating your contact lenses is part of that vital care that your eye doctor can provide. They are the best, and in some states, the only health care provider properly trained and licensed to do this. Contact lenses are medical devices and their use can sometimes cause serious, even sight threatening complications.  Your eye doctor needs to monitor your contact lens wear and ensure there are no concerns (again, these concerns can be happening without you knowing it).
Online shopping has become a normal way of life, especially now in times of the pandemic, but purchasing your eyewear online may not give you the best results.  Although skipping the eye exam and simply purchasing another set of contact lenses online may seem convenient, you are truly doing a disservice not just to yourself but also to your eye doctor. We need to remember the importance of supporting the well-being of our community. Businesses such as optometric practices need our support to continue offering goods, services and jobs to others in your community.

Here are 5 reasons why you should make your eye health a priority, visit your eye doctor for an eye exam and purchase your vision correction needs directly from your eye doctor.

1. Eye health
First and foremost, it’s important to see your eye doctor for your overall eye health. By having an annual eye exam, an optometrist can catch early signs of health conditions such as dry eye disease, glaucoma, or diabetes before they become a major issue (all of these conditions, and many more can start with no symptoms). They can also make accurate prescription changes as needed, so you have the best possible vision. Eye issues may occur and become exasperated if there is continued use of an inaccurate prescription, ill-fitting or old contact lenses, etc. In some cases, patients may skip their comprehensive eye exam entirely due to the promotion and availability of online prescription renewals, potentially leading to future complications. Contact lenses are not like shoes off the rack; they need to be customized and individually fit with proper adjustments and regular observation to ensure best vision and best health with their use.

2. Relationship and expertise 
Not only should you see your eye doctor for their expertise, but also as a safe haven for your overall eye health, visual acuity, and comfort.  For example, they can discuss the vision correction options that work best for your lifestyle. Advancements in eye care are ever evolving and your eye doctor is the best expert to educate and offer you the latest in vision correction technology. Additionally, they may provide trial contact lenses to find out which ones will work best for you before you purchase a supply, this customized service is not available from online contact lens sources. A lot goes into fitting contact lenses. Without seeing an optometrist, you are left to make those crucial fit and vision decisions on your own. You don’t receive the same professional guidance when you purchase online that you do from an optometrist and their trained and educated staff. As you and your eye doctor work together towards your eye care needs, the relationship and trust between you will likely continue to grow. This relationship will be valuable if you ever do have an ocular concern, complication or injury so that fast and trusted care can be readily provided.
 
3. Possible discounts and rebates only available in office  
There is a misconception that purchasing contact lenses online will get you the best price every time. Many online retailers show you a low upfront cost, but don’t have access to the special rebates that may only be available through an eye doctor.  For example, Unity BioSync® Contact Lenses with HydraMist® offer an annual supply or 6-month supply purchase patient rebate. These rebates are exclusively available with the VSP network, not at chain retail or online retail.

4. Satisfaction guarantee
​Although online retailers may seem to be the most convenient for contact lens purchases, their return or exchange policies aren’t always so. It’s unlikely that an online retailer will accept a return or exchange if a box has been opened for any reason, including incorrect prescription. This leaves you with the option of either using potentially substandard lenses or paying full price once again in order to get the correct prescription.
On the contrary, most optometric practices have an “open box policy” which allows you to return or exchange an open box of contact lenses for one with your updated prescription at no cost.   
You also get in-office support when you purchase your lenses at your optometrist’s office and it ensures you get the best lenses recommended by your doctor every time.

5. Support your local business
As mentioned previously, we need to continue supporting our local businesses by utilizing their products and services (especially in this current time). Small businesses help build a community and keep it thriving. By receiving your vision correction needs from your eye doctor directly you receive immediate service. Your exam gets completed, and you have vision correction options available in-house and ordered for you. You will know immediately if the item you want is in stock, it’s less likely you’ll pay shipping charges and exchanges can be quick and easy. 1 All of these are great reasons to do your business directly with your eye doctor.

​In addition, patients can still have the convenience of ordering online through their eye doctor’s office and have all of the other in-office benefits mentioned above. Many doctors now offer online shopping to their patients directly through their practice website. Also, some contact lens distributors offer online shopping options for practices if their own website doesn’t support it. This ensures the patient has the most convenient shopping experience while still supporting their eye doctor.
 
The most important thing to remember is that your eye doctor wants what is best for you by providing quality care and vision correction options. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and consult with them when it comes to all your eye health and vision needs.
 

​
Jerry Robben OD, MD
Chief Optometrist and Director of Clinical Research
Bowden Eye & Associates
 
Dr. Jerry Robben graduated from NOVA Southeastern University College of Optometry in 2009.  He is currently the Chief Optometrist and Director of Clinical Research at Bowden Eye & Associates in Jacksonville, FL which is an OD/MD primary care practice specializing in cornea, anterior segment, glaucoma and dry eye disease. Dr. Robben is also an Adjunct Clinical Professor at Midwestern University, College of Optometry in Glendale, AZ. He serves as a founding member and contributor to Dry Eye University (dryeyeuniversity.com) and is a founding member of the Medical Advisory Board and is the current Clinical Director for Dry Eye Access (dryeyeaccess.com).  Dr Robben has served on multiple industry advisory boards, lectures nationally and currently oversees multiple research studies being done in his practice ranging from dry eye, glaucoma, contact lenses and surgical outcomes. He is a loving husband and a father of two young boys that occupies any of his time outside of his professional career.
 
This blog is for informational purposes only.  Plexus Optix and affiliated entities cannot and do not provide professional or medical advice.

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i Annual supply and 6-month purchase rebate is valid through December 31, 2020. Please visit vsprebates.com/biosync for more information.
 
Sources:
1 All About Vision (2017). Where's The Best Place To Buy Contact Lenses? Retrieved August 18, 2020, from https://www.allaboutvision.com/
buying-contacts/