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Contact lenses: No prescription needed

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What does a contact lens prescription look like?

At first sight, the prescription given by your optician could be hard to understand or memorise, but the good news is that you won’t have to do that if you keep it close by when you are ordering a new pair of contacts online. Usually, the prescription includes specifications such as your name, expiry date, the base curve of the contacts, their diameter and additional figures if you have astigmatism or presbyopia. You will find these specifications listed separately for each eye, as they can have different needs.

How much does a contact lens prescription cost?

A prescription for contact lenses is absolutely free of charge, and it is illegal to charge any amount for it. Your eye doctor will give you the prescription after a thorough eye examination. You should only pay for the eye test or for purchasing contacts, but not for receiving a prescription for lenses.

Do contact lenses need a prescription?

The answer is yes. You need a specific prescription for contacts to make sure you are buying the right pair of lenses so that your vision will improve after putting them on. Although we recommend having a valid prescription before ordering contacts online, we don’t require you to send it over. Before ordering, you should ensure your prescription is up to date and only purchase the type of contacts prescribed. If you misplace your prescription, you will not need to take another eye test. You can ask your optician for your prescription, and they should provide a new one without any charges.

Does a contact lens prescription expire?

Most prescriptions have a 2-year duration, so if it has been more than that since your last eye exam, you will need a new one from your doctor. If your prescription is still valid but you can’t actually find it, you can order a new pair of lenses by checking the specifications on the last box or simply by calling our customer care to find out what the last contact lenses you bought were.

Contact lens prescription – what does BC and DIA mean?

  • BC (Base Curve): it is usually expressed in millimetres, and it determines the type of fit the contacts need in order to match the curve of the eye. You can also find this specification described in words, such as flat, median or steep. Usually, the contact lens will have an 8 to 10 millimetre curve.
  • DIA (Diameter): the diameter of the contacts should be suitable for the size of your eyes in order to obtain crystal-clear vision. The diameter is expressed in millimetres and should fit the width of your eyes. Normally, soft contact lenses have a larger diameter than hard ones, from 13 to 15 millimetres instead of 9 to 10 millimetres.
  • PWR/SPH (Power/Sphere): this could be the most important specification of the contacts because it helps correct short-sightedness (in which case your figure will begin with a – sign) or long-sightedness (in which case your figure will begin with a + sign). The signs will be followed by a number representing the visual correction needed, starting from 0 in increments of 0.25 dioptres. Find more information about these specifications by following this link.
What does it represent Unit of measurement Abbreviation Range
Curvature millimetre BC (Base Curve) from 8.00 to10.00
Size millimetre DIA (Diameter) from 13.00 to 15.00
Power dioptre PWR, D, SPH, dpt from –30.00 to +30.00

Can I order contacts online without prescription?

We have great news for you! If you were looking for a new pair of contacts, at Lentiamo you can get them without a prescription. We know that time is money these days, so we are more focused on providing the eye products you need than on checking whether you are getting the specifications from an actual prescription.

However, contact lenses are medical products, and a random pair could seriously damage your sight. Therefore, you should only purchase them after seeking medical advice. If you have lost your prescription but you are sure that it is still valid, just check the information on your last box of contact lenses and use that for your next order!

We recommend that you have an eye exam every 6 to 12 months to make sure that the parameters are still valid. This way, you can be sure that the contact lenses you are purchasing will fit correctly. Adjustments are very important, considering that eyesight can change several times over a lifetime, so be sure to have your eyes checked regularly.

After your optician has given you an expert opinion, you're all set. Just fill in the specifications on our website, place the order and we’ll take care of the rest!

Can I order contacts with an expired prescription?

Most prescriptions last up to 2 years. However, we strongly recommend that you visit your optician for an eye test more often. That way, you can be sure that the contacts you’ve been prescribed are the best you can use to improve your eyesight. If your vision is still good, you can continue purchasing contact lenses using your last prescription. If you experience any discomfort while using the contacts, visit your doctor as soon as possible and stop wearing them until you get medical advice.

Can I order a different brand of contacts than my prescription?

The answer to this question is, unfortunately, no. You cannot order a different brand with the same specifications because contact lenses not only come in different sizes but also in different materials, depending on the manufacturer. As you already know, the size of the contacts must fit your eyes correctly for your eyesight to improve. Check this comparison table of base curve & diameter specifications, where you can compare the differences in diameter, base curve and other parameters of different contacts. If you intend to change the type of contacts or the brand you are wearing right now, your optician would be the appropriate adviser. However, our customer support is at your service if you need any information regarding contact lenses and their usage.

If you made it this far, then you are ready to buy contact lenses!

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