How to Save Money on Contact Lenses

Contact lenses are expensive, but with a little bit of planning, you can save money on contact lenses and use that money in other areas of your budget.

Save Money on Contacts: Consider Glasses

Before getting into how to actually save money on contact lenses, just a quick note on glasses. They don't deteriorate with wear, some people look better in them, and glasses are far less expensive than contact lenses because you can wear a pair of glasses for many years, especially after your prescription stops changing. A number of places that sell glasses have promotions on frames and lenses that can get you a pair of glasses for around $100. Shop around, because you don't have to buy your glasses at the same place you get your eye exam.

Save Money on Contacts: Consider Hard Contact Lenses

Most people these days wear soft contact lenses, but hard contact lenses can save money. This is because, like glasses, they last a lot longer. However, when considering hard contact lenses, do be aware that they can be very uncomfortable for some people, so you might put out the initial investment and then find that your eyes aren't adjusting to them. Also keep in mind that it costs far more to replace a hard contact lens than a soft contact lens. If you are prone to losing things, then you might want to stick with soft contacts.

Save Money on Contacts: Wear them Longer

Most soft contact lenses have a recommended wear time anywhere from 1 day to 1 month. I have found that mine will actually last far longer than that, so I don't throw out a pair until I notice some discomfort. Usually, after about twice as long as their recommended wear time, my contact lenses will end up weakened and get a small tear, which is very noticeable in my eye. At that point, I toss that lens and put in a different one. Also, don't feel the need to replace both contact lenses when you replace one. It's okay to have contacts at different stages of their wear time in your eyes.

Save Money on Contacts: Clean them Well

I often balk at the price of contact lens solution, which runs about $10 a bottle, but at one point, I realized that contact lens solution is far cheaper than contacts. If using twice as much solution to rinse off my contacts will make them last longer, then I will actually save money in the long run. So yes, do rinse and lightly rub your contact lenses off every time you take them out, because this will help to clean them better. Also, especially if your contacts are not designed to be worn overnight, they will last a lot longer if you take them out as instructed and let them sit overnight instead of sleeping with them in your eyes.

Save Money on Contacts: Use Your Insurance

Many insurance providers give an annual allowance for purchasing contact lenses or glasses. Make sure that you use it every year. Even if you have enough contacts to last a while longer, as soon as it has been a year since your last purchase, purchase enough lenses to use up your whole allowance from your insurance.

Save Money on Contacts: Buy them on Discount

Lastly, prices for your contact lenses can vary, depending on when and where you buy them. There are a number of websites that sell contact lenses for less than a typical optometrist office, so be aware of the price online before you go into the office for a visit. Sometimes offices will have promotions (like buy 3 boxes, get the 4th free) or have coupons available for mail-in rebates. Do the math and figure out where is the least expensive place to buy your contacts, and you will save a lot of money in the long run.