Can I Buy Contact Lenses Without a Prescription?

The simple answer to this question is absolutely not. But why is that the case? Keep reading to learn more.

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Can I Buy Contact Lenses Without a Prescription? in Olympia

A Contact Lens Prescription Isn’t Optional

In the United States, contact lenses are classified as medical devices, and you cannot order them without a prescription. Contact lens sellers are required by law to check and make sure that you have a valid prescription written by a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist.

An expired contact lens prescription cannot be used to order contacts either, and these rules apply to both physical and online retailers.

What About a Glasses Prescription?

A glasses prescription is insufficient for buying contact lenses. This is because, even if your vision hasn’t changed, glasses sit a short distance in front of the eyes, while contact lenses sit directly on the surface of the eyes.

While this might seem like a very minor difference, when it comes to lenses, it actually affects a great deal, and you are likely to have a different prescription power for glasses and contacts, meaning that if you did use a glasses prescription for contact lenses, they would not be at the proper strength for what you need.

Contact lens prescriptions include additional elements that are not included in a prescription for eyeglasses. During a contact lens exam the eye doctor will take these measurements which are not taken for eyeglasses.

During a contact lens exam the eye doctor takes a measurement of your base curve which is the curvature of the back surface of the contact lens. The eye doctor measures this to ensure that the contact lens matches the shape of your cornea. Without a base curve measurement that matches your eyes your contact lenses may be too loose or too tight.

Another important measurement used for fitting contact lenses is determining the proper diameter of the lens. The eye doctor will match the lens to your eye so that the fit is not too tight or loose. In addition the diameter may be adjusted based on understanding the background of the patient's history. For example your eye doctor may recommend a wider diameter contact lens in order to reduce sensitivity and stop the lens from moving as much. These kinds of adjustments are often made for patients with corneal scarring, sensitivity, dry eye disease, or an athlete.

How Do I Get a Contact Lens Prescription?

Now that we’ve established that yes, you do need a contact lens prescription, the next question is how do you get one?

A contact lens prescription must be obtained from an optometrist or an ophthalmologist, following both an eye exam and a contact lens fitting.

The eye exam, as you might expect, determines whether you are, for example, farsighted or nearsighted, and just how much correction you need.

The contact lens exam and fitting process is just as important.

How Do I Get a Contact Lens Prescription?

The Importance of Contact Lens Exam and Fitting

A contact lens exam and fitting is a vital part of the process of getting contact lenses. During your first fitting appointment, you will be asked about your lifestyle and how you plan to wear your lenses in addition to discussing your eye health history. This is so they have as complete an understanding of both your eyes and your activity level to decide what sort of lenses to recommend.

During the course of the fitting, you will have a keratometry reading (to determine the base curve and diameter of the lenses you’ll need), as well as an assessment of the tear film. The latter is to ensure that your eyes produce enough moisture for you to safely and comfortably wear contact lenses.

Following this, you’ll be given trial lenses. You will use these to practice putting them in and taking them out safely, make sure they sit well on your eyes, and ensure that you can see well while they are on.

You will use these at home for a couple days before returning for a follow-up appointment, at which the optometrist will again check your eye health. They will then make any necessary adjustments to their determinations from the previous appointment, then provide you with your prescription.

All of this ensures you get the lenses that will provide you with the best possible results.

While these are the general guidelines of a contact lens exam, more advanced contact lenses such as contact lenses for myopia management and scleral lenses for keratoconus may require additional follow up appointments to assess how the patient is adapting to their contact lenses.

Summary

Contact lenses are medical devices, and, for your own safety, they must be bought only with a proper prescription, for reasons of both efficacy and safety. If you have any additional questions regarding the purchase of contact lenses, or wish to make an appointment for an eye exam or contact lens exam, you can contact American Family Vision Clinic at (360) 491-2121.

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Testimonials

Such a nice optician. My grandson is only 4 and needs glasses. We were so sad, but he explained the issues, and we will follow up as he suggested.

Anna P.

I had such a good experience with the clinic. Very friendly staff and doctor, did not have to wait for long to be called, and was treated respectfully. Thanks, American Family.

June S.

Dr. Zurcher has gone above and beyond what any other eye doctor has ever done to figure out what is going on with my eyes. Very happy with American Family Vision.

Christine R.

Family Vision Clinic changed our lives! My daughter was frequently car sick, and she was getting headaches every day, often painful enough that they brought her to tears. We saw a string of doctors and therapists, but we made no progress. Finally, we found Dr. Levi Zurcher and his eye therapist Rain. After ten weeks of eye therapy my daughter no longer gets headaches, and she no longer gets car sick. Daily tears are a thing of the past. I really can’t say enough about this clinic. It was fascinating to watch Dr. Zurcher work. For the first time, someone who knew what they were doing was intently studying my daughter, really trying to figure out all of her eye issues, and his therapist Rain is one of the most patient and lovely people that I’ve ever had the good fortune to meet. We’re finished with eye therapy—yay!—and I have switched to American Family Vision Clinic for all of my family’s other eye health needs.

Lars Wulff

Very professional, yet kind and helpful. They do what they can to make the appointment comfortable. I was running a bit late, I made sure ti call. They were able to switch me with a patient who was already there, they treated me with respect, and helped my son have confidence by getting him the eye care he needed that day. Thank you so much! Would recommend to anyone. It's a blessing that they care enough to work with people who have all different types of insurance from work to state coverage.