Listed below are the most common questions we receive about contact lenses and contact lens accessories along with answers to those questions.
If you can’t find the answers you want then please contact us using our online query form, fax us on 020 7253 5571 or call us on 020 7490 2302.
I'd like to know more about:
Contact Lens Delivery
Contact Lens Prescriptions
Contact Lens Products and Brands
Order Contact Lenses Online: Payment and Security
Contact Lens Prescription Questions
Optical Health and Wearing Contact Lenses
Contact Lens Own Brand Equivalents
Do's and Dont's of Contact Lenses
Contact Lens Terminology
Contact Lens Delivery
Is Contact Lens Delivery Free?
In addition to offering some of the cheapest contact lenses online, our prices include FREE first class post to all UK mainland customers. If you require a special service e.g. recorded delivery or are outside the UK mainland area then please call us on 020 7490 2302 or e-mail us at info@optics2u.com
How soon will I receive my Contact lenses?
Provided you do not delay sending us confirmation of your Contact Lens Prescription you should receive your contact lenses within 5-7 working days. If due to unforeseen circumstances we are unable to meet our delivery promise then we will advise you by e-mail. You can always check the status of your order here. Click here to review our Shipping and Returns policy
Contact Lens Prescriptions
What is a contact lens prescription?
Your Contact Lens prescription is similar, but not the same as, that provided for spectacles and requires a separate test to be carried out by a qualified optometrist. The contact lens prescription will specify the brand of contact lenses you have been fitted with, the fitting parameters and powers of your lenses. It will be signed and dated by your optometrist to indicate when you were fitted for contact lenses or when you had your last check up.
I've had a test for spectacles. Can't I just send you that and my contact lens packets?
Regrettably you can’t. See previous answer. Although the contact lens packets confirm the details and brand of contact lenses you have been wearing, we still need sight of your Contact Lens Prescription or alternatively, with your permission, we can contact the testing optometrist to confirm the relevant details.
Why do you need my Contact Lens Prescription?
Under UK law, we must verify your current contact lens prescription before we can supply you with replacement contact lenses. Your last test must have taken place less than one year before the order date.
Can I order contact lenses from you if I don't have my prescription to hand?
Yes - but we cannot process your order for some of the cheapest lenses online until our in-house Optometrist has examined your contact lens prescription. So you will need to obtain it and send it to us. REMEMBER - YOUR OPTICIAN IS OBLIGED TO SUPPLY YOU WITH A COPY OF YOUR CONTACT LENS PRESCRIPTION. We make this as easy as possible when opening an account. You’ll be able to fax, e-mail or download a copy. If you require us to obtain the details of your contact lens prescription from your Optometrist then we can do this as well.
Want to know more about contact lens terminology? - Click here.
Contact Lens Products and Brands
Why are your contact lens prices so low?
As we are an online UK retailer of contact lenses not only are you able to benefit from our buying power but in addition benefit from our reduced overheads which are much lower than a comparable high street retailer. We are therefore able to pass this benefits in costs saving onto you - as our customers who order contact lenses online.
What guarantees do I have when I buy contact lenses from Optics2u?
All contact lens products we supply are genuine branded goods from major contact lens suppliers. In the unlikely event any contact lens product proves to be faulty, we will replace it. Just return the contact lenses in their original packaging along with a note of the problem and we`ll replace genuinely faulty goods at no extra charge.
We do have a Shipping and Returns policy which you should read before taking any action - Click here.
Order Contact Lenses Online: Payment and Security
How do I pay for my contact lenses?
We offer several ways to pay/order.
- On checkout you`ll be offered the choice to pay by credit / debit card or PayPal. We accept Visa, Master Card, Delta, Switch and Solo debit cards.
- You can place an order for our cheap contact lenses by telephone. Our telephone number is 020 7490 2302. Lines are open Monday to Friday between 09.00 am and 05.30 pm. Outside these hours just leave us a message and we`ll call you back to take the order or answer your questions.
- You can post the order plus a cheque and a copy of your contact lens prescription but this will delay delivery. Don`t forget to provide full contact details including a telephone number and/or e-mail address.
Are my credit card and personal details secured?
Yes. All credit card transactions on Optics2U`s website take place via a secure server. You will be passed to a secure server to enter your card details and complete the transaction. All your credit card details are encrypted using a SSL Certificate and cannot be intercepted or duplicated.
Contact Lens Prescription Questions
Can I purchase contact lenses from you if I don't have a prescription?
No, you cannot order any of our cheap contact lenses without having a valid prescription from a qualified optometrist. However, if your optometrist did not give you a copy of your contact lens prescription, Optics2u can call them and request they fax a copy of your prescription to us or provide the relevant details over the telephone once we confirm you are a patient of theirs. We therefore need your permission to do this. Our simple “Registration” process will provide you with all the information you require. We are therefore unable to dispatch your order before we have received a copy of your contact lens prescription from you or information from your optometrist.
Is a contact lens prescription different to a prescription for glasses?
Yes it is. You cannot use your glasses prescription for your contact lenses. You should have a contact lens prescription that specifies the power of the lenses, the size of the lens and the type and brand of lens. Contact Lenses come in various shapes, sizes and materials. Each contact lens fits differently on your eye and also corrects vision differently. To wear contact lenses successfully an optometrist must have taken measurements of the eye and assessed the eye with the contact lens on to ensure that you can wear them safely. Proper fitting of our contact lenses to your eyes ensures your comfort and the health of your eyes.
Will I receive the same contact lenses my optometrist prescribed when I order from you?
Yes. The contact lenses we deliver are exactly the same as those sold by the major brands to opticians throughout the UK. The only difference is that we offer these contact lenses at big savings to you. Optics2U offer some of the cheapest contact lenses online.
Optical Health and Wearing Contact Lenses
What is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism is a common vision problem that is caused when the front surface of the eye, (called the cornea), is not perfectly rounded, which leads to blurred vision. Instead of having equal curvatures, astigmatic eyes have several different curvatures. As a result, the light is focused differently in the eye and this is what causes the blurring.
Can I wear soft contact lenses if I have astigmatism?
If you were under the impression that you couldn’t wear contact lenses because your eyes are astigmatic, you can! There are soft Toric daily contact lenses, two-weekly contact lenses and monthly contact lenses available that are made especially for people with astigmatism. Contact your optometrist to get a prescription to correct your astigmatism and any other vision problem.
If my 2-week disposable contact lenses are in good condition after 2 weeks, can I continue to wear the same pair?
It is very important to adhere to the wearing schedule prescribed by your Optometrist, and recommended by the manufacturer. Each lens is manufactured to last a certain length of time and if you go past that time, or do not follow a proper cleaning regimen, you are jeopardising the health of your eyes .
I wear contact lenses and in order for me to read I have to wear reading glasses over them. Are there any other alternatives so that I don't have to wear glasses at all?
Yes, multifocal contact lenses are readily available. You should see your Optometrist and explain your problem. He will fit you with the relevant multifocal contact lens and provide you with a prescription which you can send to Optics2u so that you save money when ordering your contact lenses.
Can I change to a different contact lens?
Yes, but you need to get your Optometrist to refit you with the contact lens brand you require. Optics2U offer a wide selection of some of the cheapest contact lenses online.
I have a prescription from an “own brand” contact lens supplier. Can I get these from Optics2u?
We supply the branded equivalent of “own brands” e.g. Specsavers, Boots, Vision Express etc. Many opticians' own branded contact lenses are simply re-packaged versions of named brand contact lenses. To find the lenses you need, just use the tables below to see which of our cheap contact lenses are the same as your optician's own brand of contact lenses.
(Note: Our Optician will need to see a copy of your contact lens prescription in order to verify that we supplying the correct branded equivalent).
If you can’t find the branded equivalent you require just contact us. We are always pleased to help.
| Own Brand Name |
Optics2u Equivalent |
| Boots Dailies |
Bausch & Lomb SofLens 1 Day |
| Boots Daily Contact Lenses |
Ciba Vision Focus Dailies |
| Boots High Water Monthly Replacement Soft Lens |
Ciba Vision Precision UV |
| Boots Mid Water Monthly |
Cooper Vision Frequency 55 |
| Boots Near and Far |
Ciba Vision Focus Progressives |
| Boots Night and Day |
Ciba Vision Night & Day |
Specsavers 55 Monthly Soft Lens
Specsavers Standard Monthly Lens |
Cooper Vision Frequency 55 |
| Specsavers Asphericlens |
Cooper Vision Frequency 55 Aspheric |
| Specsavers Easyvision All Day |
Cooper Vision Proclear Compatibles |
| Specsavers Easyvision All Day - All Night |
Ciba Vision Night & Day |
| Specsavers Easyvision Colours |
Cooper Vision Expressions Colors |
| Specsavers Easyvision One Day (B&L) |
Bausch & Lomb SofLens 1 Day |
| Specsavers Easyvision One Day (Ciba) |
Ciba Vision Focus Dailies |
| Specsavers Easyvision Toriclens |
Ciba Vision Focus Toric |
| Specsavers Easyvision Toriclens |
Cooper Vision Frequency Xcel Toric |
| Specsavers Easyvision Varifocal Lens |
Ciba Vision Focus Progressives |
| Vision Express Enhance |
Cooper Vision Frequency 55 Aspheric |
Can I use my contact lenses when I am swimming?
We recommend that you don't wear your contact lenses whilst swimming because there are bacteria in the water that can adhere to your lenses and cause infections. If you do swim with your lenses, make sure you wear goggles over them and disinfect the lenses shortly after completing your swim.
Can I share my contact lenses with someone else?
No. Never wear someone else's contact lenses or let anyone else wear yours. Sharing contact lenses can result in the spread of infections that can severely damage your eyes, and contact lenses can spread infectious diseases. You should only wear contact lenses prescribed specifically for you by a qualified eye care professional.
Do's & Don'ts of Contact Lenses
Do’s of Contact Lenses
DO remove your contact lenses and consult your optometrist if any eye reaction occurs such as pain, redness, burning sensation, excessive watering, increasingly blurred vision, coloured haloes around light sources and / or sensitivity.
DO attend your routine follow up appointments - these are essential to monitor the health of your eyes. They also ensure that your current contact lens prescription is accurate and up to date. Symptom-free wear does not necessarily mean that your contact lenses are not causing undesirable side effects.
DO comply with your optometrist guide to wearing schedules, frequency and instructions on contact lens solutions. Over wear can have serious consequences.
DO remove your contact lenses before going to sleep (unless otherwise advised by your optometrist).
DO replace contact lenses if they become damaged / scratched or if they have deposits which cannot be removed.
Don’ts of Contact Lenses
DON’T wear your contact lenses when using eye medications or eye drops (unless advised to do so by your optometrist).
DON’T use saliva to wet your contact lenses - this is teeming with potential harmful bacteria.
DON’T use tap water in any part of your contact lens regime.
DON’T expose your contact lenses to hair or cosmetic sprays or excessive heat.
DON’T forget to wash and rinse your hands before handling your contact lenses. Your personal hygiene is very important.
IF IN DOUBT – DON’T WEAR THEM – TAKE THEM OUT
Contact Lens Terminology
Power on your contact lens prescription is a number, (dioptres), that starts with a + or - sign. For example, +3.50, -2.75 etc. This is to correct either your short-sightedness if it is a (-) sign or long-sightedness if it is a (+) sign.
Base Curve, (BC) is a measure of the curvature of the contact lens. This makes the lens fit correctly on your cornea.
Diameter (DIA) is a measure of the size of the lens. Sometimes, a lens is manufactured in only one base curve or diameter. Your optician may then have omitted this value on your contact lens prescription since it makes no difference anyway.
Cylinder (Cyl) is the strength of your astigmatism. If you have a number for cylinder on your prescription you should look at our Toric Contact Lenses.
Axis Is the direction of your astigmatism. 90 and 180 are the most common.
Add is the correction needed for bifocal / multifocal / progressive contact lenses. This number refers to the reading strength of the lens.
Colour is the colour of the contact lens and is only needed if you are buying coloured contact lenses. The colour does not affect your prescription in any way.