It’s estimated that the average person will spend around $200-$300 per year on contact lenses. While this may not seem like a big number, if you multiply it over 10 or 20 years, you’re looking at thousands and thousands of dollars.
Plus, that isn’t including other eyecare costs like glasses, regular eye exams, and more.
But, is there really anything you can do to cut down on the costs of your contact lenses?
The answer is yes.
And, don’t worry. This doesn’t mean you need to buy super cheap contacts that are going to burn holes through your eyes off of some sketchy website.
The fact is, there are actually many simple things you can do to save big on contact lenses.
Read this guide to learn 7 brilliant ways to save on the costs of contact lenses.
1. Use FSA Funds
One of the best ways to save on the cost of contact lenses is to use FSA funds.
FSA stands for flexible spending account. An FSA is something that many employers offer, and basically, it allows you to deposit pre-tax money into an account that you can use to pay for qualifying medical expenses, like eye exams, glasses, contact lenses, and even contact solution.
In order to get the most out of your FSA funds, you’ll want to spend some time figuring out how much you’ll likely spend in a year based on previous medical spending patterns. And, you’ll also want to make sure that you use all of your dollars before they expire.
Also, in order to make sure you put your FSA funds to good use, don’t wait until the very end of the year to use them. This can cause you to feel rushed and may result in you not getting the best deal because you’re under such a tight deadline.
How you pay using your FSA funds can vary, as some will give you a prepaid debit card while others will request that you pay upfront and then file reimbursement.
Either way, make sure you keep the receipts of the purchases you make, as you never know if your FSA plan will request it.
2. Ask if Your Doctor Will Price Match
Typically, buying contacts online is cheaper than buying from a brick and mortar store, and your doctor is likely well-aware of this.
Therefore, it can never hurt to ask your doctor if they will match online prices. More often than not, they will say yes to this, as they’d rather make less money than not make any money at all.
Plus, with price-matching, you really get the best of both worlds. You get the best price you can on your contacts, and because you’re now ordering them from your doctor, you can also often pick them up on the same day, therefore avoiding the wait that comes with ordering them online.
3. Look for Deals
Many people think that the price of contacts is like the price of a medical bill. In other words, this is what it costs, and there’s no getting around it.
However, this is simply not the case. You can save significant amounts of money by shopping online and searching for deals.
Look out for seasonal and promotional sales, and also check to see if you can save by ordering your contact lenses in bulk.
You should also check online coupon sites, as these will almost always have deals for contact lenses. In fact, it’s not uncommon to find coupons that will give you as much as 70 percent off. And, don’t forget to check for coupons for contact solution too, as that’s another cost that can quickly add up.
4. Shop Online
As we mentioned earlier, shopping online is almost always cheaper than going the brick and mortar route. Just make sure you have an updated prescription handy, as online stores will still need to check and make sure it’s up-to-date.
There are a lot of online contact retailers you can shop from. Some of the biggest ones are:
- Contactlenseking.com: Offers a $10 refer a friend feature
- 1800contacts.com: Offers live chat and customer service, and online exam renewal
- Opticontacts.com: Offers all of the top brands, as well as free shipping for orders over $129
- EZcontacts.com: Offers a 10 percent discount just for signing up for their newsletter
- PScontacts.com: Offers a price match guarantee and offers free shipping on orders of $89 or more
- Discountcontactlenses.com: Offers 6 or 12-month supplies of the top brands
- Coastal.com: Sign up for their email and you will get 20 percent off your order as well as free shipping
- Lensdirect.com: Offers a free online vision test as well as free shipping on orders of $49 or more
As you can see, there are many sites that offer great deals on contact lenses. That being said, if you need special contacts, such as one for cornea damage, you may need to order from your doctor. View here to learn more about these lenses.
5. Extend the Life of Your Contact Lenses
Of course, saving money on contacts is also about extending the life of your current contacts.
This doesn’t mean wearing contacts longer than you are supposed to wear them. However, it does mean taking care of your contact lenses as best as you possibly can so they can last as long as possible.
The best way to do this is by cleaning your contacts on a regular basis. Proper cleaning procedure for your contact lenses includes:
- Washing your hands thoroughly before touching your contacts
- Using a rubbing solution, as even though there is no-rub available, the rubbing solution is much more effective at cleaning out deposits
- Rinsing your lens storage case and letting it properly dry out between uses
- Using fresh solution every time you store your contact lenses
- Avoiding wearing your contacts overnight
By sticking to these guidelines, you’ll have happy and healthy contacts and eyes.
Lowering the Cost of Contact Lenses: Wrap Up
As you can see, there are many simple things you can do to lower the cost of contact lenses.
If you have any questions about these tips, please be sure to drop us a comment below.
Otherwise, be sure to check out these 10 awesome eye facts that may surprise you.
