Contact lens wearers are usually surprised and happy with the level of comfort that lenses provide. Now it's easy to order the perfect contact lenses online at a significant discount. Ophthalmologists (M.D. or D.O.) are eye surgeons who study and treat eye diseases and can also perform the duties of optometrists; optometrists (O.D.) examine eyes, diagnose and treat vision problems, and prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses and in most states they also can prescribe medicine; opticians grind and dispense eyeglasses and in some states dispense contact lenses.

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. In the U.S. contact lens marketplace, 82 percent wear soft lenses, 16 percent wear rigid gas-permeable and only 2 percent wear hard.

There are also a few rigid gas permeable lenses that are designed and approved for overnight wear. The length of continuous lens wear depends on the lens type and your doctor's evaluation of your tolerance for overnight wear. Contacts provide for excellent peripheral vision for sports, driving, safety, and performing.

Rigid lenses generally give you more clear vision. Extra-thin soft lenses are on the market for very sensitive people. 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.

With planned-replacement lenses, the doctor works out a replacement schedule tailored to the needs of each patient. 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. You can become adjusted to soft lenses within just a few days, compared to several weeks for rigid ones.

People who have good distance vision but need help for reading can get a monovision reading lens for one eye. 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.

You can buy contact lenses from an eye doctor, on the Internet, from an optical store or a warehouse club. 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. Wherever you buy, shop for quality and value and don't forget you want to do what's best for your eye health.

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. Get a feel for how the retailer handles customer service calls; in case you have a problem after your order arrives. Focus on value, not just the price; most people looking for the best price are really looking for the best value.

Always ask what rebates are available. Make sure you have a current, valid prescription when you order contact lenses. If you have an insurance plan, the insurance plan's seller's prices may or may not be better than what you can find elsewhere; this should be just one option when you're shopping for lenses.

Replace your contacts as recommended by your eye doctor because they wear out as time goes by. 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. Microorganisms may be present in distilled water, so always use commercial sterile saline solutions, if you plan to use enzyme tablets in water for disinfections.

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. Extended-wear rigid lenses can cause unexpected, undesirable, reshaping of the cornea. 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.

Remember to use only contact lenses that are FDA-approved and only if prescribed by a licensed eye care professional. No matter which lenses your doctor prescribes, be sure to ask for written instructions and follow them carefully. If you're looking for cheap contact lenses, you may find that cheap materials or other ways of cutting costs will affect the quality you'll want for your precious eyes.