Lens Direct Review — Contact Lenses Comparison (2012)

Lens Direct sells discount contact lenses online. They have a large selection and carry all the major brands such as Acuvue, Biomedics, Focus, Freshlook, Proclear, Pure Vision and Soflens. Their range covers disposables, coloured lenses, daily, weekly and monthly lenses, toric lenses and more. Orders over $99 get free shipping and their low prices mean you can save up to 70% off retail prices for contact lenses. 

They have been in business since 1992 and the ordering process is very simple – just make sure you have your prescription at hand. After your first order they will have your prescription on file. They offer a 30 day return policy on opened packages and they also have order tracking so you know when your parcel is on its way. 

• Sell contact lenses online at discount prices up to 70% off retail
• All major brands are available
• Free shipping for orders over $99
• 30 day return policy

• Lens Direct is a secure site with a large variety of contact lenses to choose from
• Easy to reorder once they have your prescription on file
• Discount prices with extra discounts for purchasing more than 8 boxes
• Factory sealed containers with 30 day return policy
• Free shipping for orders over $99
• Assistance available from well-trained employees via phone, email or chat

There are lots of online contact lens retailers. Major sellers include 1800 Contacts, Discount Contact Lenses, Coastal Contacts, Vision Direct, ACLens, Contacts America, Just Lenses, Lensmart, Lenses For Less, Contact Lens King, 1-800-Get-Lens, Lenses by Mail, Lens.com, EyeExcel and Best Price Contacts. 

TopTenReviews compared 11 places to buy contact lenses online but Lens Direct was not included. They ranked 1800Contacts as number one for several factors but mostly because of their enormous range and the fact they have a reputation as being the only online contact lens retailer to carry every possible brand. Top Consumer Reviews compared 5 contact lens stores and ranked Coastal Contacts as number one. They also did not include Lens Direct. 

It seems strange that a company that has been around since 1992 should be overlooked by the review sites but this may be because it is family owned. Looking at the range and pricing on the website it appears to rank at least as well as its major competitors. It is hard to even find a customer review but the one at epinions is very positive giving them top ratings for ease of ordering, customer service, selection and on-time delivery, declaring them a “wonderful company for contact lenses”.

Lens Direct have an easy to navigate, fast-loading website where you click on the contact lenses you are interested in and it will show product information and the price per box. To order you need to enter 3 components from your prescription for both the left and right eye. These are Power (a number between -20 and +20), Base Curve or BC (a number between 8.0 and 10.0) and Diameter (a number between 13.0 and 15.0). 

They have made it very easy to search for contact lenses by manufacturer, contact lens type or brand. They have a list of the most popular contact lenses too so that you can quickly and easily find your contact lenses even if you have forgotten the name. Descriptions include an image of the packaging for convenience and to jog your memory. Customers are also invited to write reviews of their lenses on the website. 

Orders over $99 get free shipping to US addresses. For smaller orders overnight express delivery is $19.95, or priority delivery (3-5 business days) is $9.95. Orders to Canada are sent by Canada Post Priority Delivery (3-5 business days) and cost $9.95 while international orders are sent priority delivery and cost $19.95. 

The website states this is a family owned and operated business. They guarantee that all lenses come in factory sealed containers and opened merchandise can be returned within 30 days for a full refund. Assistance is available via a toll free number, email and live chat. On their Why Shop With Us? page they claim to be America’s largest online contact lens retailer.

• Easy to use website and search for products
• Enter prescription for each eye online when ordering
• Choice of shipping options
• All lenses in factory sealed containers
• Assistance available via phone, email or chat