Should i get contacts without seeing an optometrist?

Question

It seems as though they are so easy to get without a doctor. Does it matter that i see one? It would be easy for me to get my prescription from the last place I got my glasses from? What do u think i should do?

Answer 1

You should definitely see an optometrist. An optometrist can help you find the best contact for you. Not all of them are alike. For example, a friend of mine had to get contacts that are heavier at the bottom in order to keep it in the center. Another friend had to get extra thin and breathable ones due to buildups in her eyes. You shouldn't make decisions without consulting a professional. Besides, my doctor gave me different prescription for my glasses and my contacts because contacts are closer to the eyes and do not need to be as strong as glasses.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

You should see an optometrist first. There are some advantages.
1) you need to get "fitted" for the contacts, if you get the wrong size they could be uncomfortable and irritable.
2) At the office you can try a few different types and find out which ones fit your budget and feel right. They might all seem the same, but after wearing contacts for a while I found that I had "sensitive" eyes and changed to another model of contacts with Hydraclear that my doctor let me try.. it made all the difference!
3) You usually go home with a few weeks worth of samples to try out, which is never bad. Also you usually get free saline solution.
4) Most prescriptions need to be renewed yearly in order to make them valid.

But after you go through the motions, I agree that they can be cheaper elsewhere, like 1800Contacts, which is what I use now. They verify your prescription with your eye doctor before the order is processed and sent to you.

Answer 3

Contact lens prescriptions are written a little differently from glasses, plus, if it's been a year or more, your prescription may have changed. It's probably a better idea to see the optometrist.

Answer 4

Usually you need a valid prescription for ANY place to fill an order for contacts or glasses. As long as it has not been a year since your last eye exam, you should be able to go to the last place & get a prescription for contacts. If it has over a year, they will require you to have another eye exam before they will give you the script.

Answer 5

only do this if your RX is less then a year old. If it has been a year since your last eye exam then go see an optometrist, get a new RX and then you will have a better chance of not damaging your eyes. also find out what types of lenses are best for your eyes before you buy anything as well from the doc.

Answer 6

Don't take your eyesight lightly. Better to consult with an optometrist than to compromise your vision. Your prescription may have changed, too, and you may need to see an optometrist anyway for a new one.

Answer 7

Yes, if you can't even see the optometrist, then you should definitely get contacts. You might want to pick up one of those nice white poles with a red tip.

Answer 8

no because the opt. tests your eyes and sizes your eyes for the right contacts for your eyes. They check which contacts are best for you because of how dry your eyes get and if you can handle glass contacts or disposiable. your perscription would also be writting in a different format for glasses

Answer 9

if you've never had contacts before then you should go see an optometrist.
if you already have a contact lens prescirption and you buy the same kind that you had before, then no.

but even if you don't , you should go get your eyes checked once in a while. They will spot a problem before it gets worse.

Answer 10

no no and no! blindness is on the increase from people doing stuff like this, you need not only to seek advice but to know how to correctly care for your lenses too! don't gamble something as precious as your sight!