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This post was most recently updated on October 22nd, 2020
Walgreens sells contacts? Yes, as a matter of fact, they do, and sometimes you can find some great deals from Walgreens. To be honest, it wasn’t until recently that we noticed Walgreens sold contact lenses. We all know Walgreens as one of the largest chain drug stores operating in the United States, and they don’t sell contact lenses in-store at 99% of their locations.
So is it worth it to buy your contact lenses from this pharmacy giant? We took a look into when they started selling contact lenses, and how their prices stack up against the rest of the market to see if it’s worth it to order contacts at Walgreens.
Table of Contents
After digging around for a bit, it appears that Walgreens first entered the online contact lens sales world back in 2011 when they acquired Drugstore.com and its affiliates. Within those affiliates was a website called VisionDirect.com (If you try to go there you’re going to be redirected to Walgreens). VisionDirect.com was a website that sold contact lenses. Walgreens operated that website all the way up until 2017 when it shut VisionDirect.com down, well not exactly it just redirects onto Walgreens website.
Just last year Walgreens started a pilot of Walgreens optical centers where you are able to get eye exams and purchase eyewear at Walgreens locations. If those pilots are successful, you might be seeing a Walgreen Optical coming near you in the future.
What kind of contact lenses does Walgreens carry?
Walgreens carries the most popular types of contact lenses including Daily Disposables, Multifocal, Torics, as well as colored contact lenses. From those types of contact lenses, they offer most of the top brands which include Acuvue, Air Optix, Biofinity, Dailies, and much more.
How is the pricing?
Compared to most online retailers, Walgreens is on the more expensive side of the pricing spectrum. When comparing retail prices with other online retailers for contact lenses, Walgreens is consistently in the top 3 for worse pricing.
BUT, Walgreens often times runs promotions that help bring down the pricing of the contact lenses by a substantial amount. For example currently running until the end of the year is a 20% off promo code is offered by Walgreens.
If you consider the prices of the contact lenses after the 20% off that is currently being offered by Walgreens, it would make Walgreens go from being one of the worse prices for contact lenses, up to being one of the best places to purchase your contact lenses. The fact that they are a trustworthy large chain is an added bonus.
Walgreens Contact Lenses Promo Code
Of course with anything online we are constantly looking for coupon and promo codes to see if we could save a bit of extra money. Luckily for you, I do have a promo code you can use to save money on your contact lenses today.
CLICK HERE AND USE PROMO CODE: DEAL20 to save 20% off your contacts at Walgreens today!
How to order your contact lenses from Walgreens
Walgreens has their website set up quite simple for contact lens orders. You simply find the brand of contact lenses that you wear, enter in your prescription along with doctor’s information, and Walgreens will take care of the rest. Quick painless and easy process. Walgreens offers free shipping on all their orders within the U.S. so that is an added bonus.
Does Walgreens Accept Vision Insurance?
Walgreens does not directly bill with your vision insurance provider, however, you may request an invoice to submit to your vision insurance provider for reimbursement If you have Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) or Health Savings Accounts (HSA and you have a card that is affiliated with Visa or MasterCard you would be able to use that card to purchase your contact lenses from Walgreens just as you would any regular credit card.
Benefits of Wearing Contact Lenses
If you have never worn contact lenses before, there are many benefits to wearing them. This is especially true for individuals who are more active and want the freedom of not having to worry about their glasses falling off. But that is only one of many benefits of wearing contact lenses over glasses. Let’s take a look at some more.
- Non-Prescription Sunglasses – One of the hugest drawbacks for anyone that needs prescription glasses to be able to see, is that you can’t just pick up any pair of sunglasses and wear them because you can’t see out of them. With contact lenses, you have the ability to wear any pair of sunglasses you want.
- Better Peripheral Vision – When you wear contact lenses instead of glasses you have a much better peripheral vision as you are not limited only to where your lenses are. This is great for anyone who plays a sport and needs their entire field of vision to safely play.
- No Fogged up glasses – This is a problem for many eyeglass wearers. If you wear your glasses while you are working out you might know the feeling. Whenever you are active and start sweating, oftentimes your lenses might start fogging u, especially if it is cold out.
- No Reflections – Even if you purchase the best anti-reflective coating there is on the market, there is still some reflections on your lenses to a certain extent. Wearing contact lenses eliminates that issue altogether.
- Doesn’t interfere with Headgear – When you are wearing contacts, you don’t have to worry about if whether or not your glasses are going to be able to fit underneath a helmet or any other headgear you may be wearing.
- Elements – If the weather is going to be bad outside you can wear contact lenses and not have to worry about the elements such and rain and snow getting on your lenses.
How Often Do You Replace Contact Lenses?
It is important to follow the recommended wearing schedule that your doctor provides you. You might run into a situation where your doctor may have you change your contact lenses out more frequently than what the brand manufacturer recommends. Whenever you wear contact lenses they naturally accumulate build-up from calcium and protein deposits over time, the more build-up on your contact lenses the less oxygen getting through to your eyes. Some individuals might have more protein and calcium build-up than usual and may have to change your contact lenses out more frequently.
The more frequently you change out your contact lenses you reduce the risk of any contact lens-related complications. The Majority of contact lenses on the market today come in one fo the following three changing frequencies.
- Daily Disposable – These are exactly like how the name makes it sound. You put these on in the morning to start your day, take them off at the end of your day, and throw them away.
- Bi-Weekly Disposable – With these lenses you would be changing them out every two weeks. You would normally put on your contact lenses in to start your day, and take them off in the evening and store them in a case for the night for two weeks.
- Monthly Disposable – With these you would change them out every month. You would putting them on and taking them off and storing them just like you would the bi-weekly lenses, but instead of replacing them every two weeks, you replace them every month.
If you are wearing Bi-weekly or Monthly disposable lenses, you might want to take a note of the date you put in your new lens on your smartphone calendar or write it down somewhere so you remember when to change out your contacts. Your contact lenses do not necessarily need to start feeling uncomfortable for you to need to change them.
Keep Your Eyes Healthy While Wearing Contact Lenses
In order to get the most of out your contact lenses and have them feeling the best in your eyes while you are wearing them, it is important to properly care for your contact lenses. Caring for your contacts properly will help ensure they last the entire duration you are supposed to be able to wear them for and avoid having to change your contact lenses out before the recommended changing frequency. Not following the proper care and handling practices for your contact lenses could have more serious consequences such as increasing your risk of getting an eye infection. Here are some tips to keep in mind so you can get the most out of your contact lenses and keep away those unwanted eye infections.
- Always Wash Your Hands – Washing your hands shouldALWAYS be the first thing that you do before you handle your contact lenses. A step that is often forgotten, but is very important as any contaminants that are on your hands has the potential to be transferred on over to your contact lenses when you handle them. Always use a lint-free towel to dry your hands after you wash them.
- Use Recommended Solution – If you are going to be using contact lens solution to store or rewet your contact lenses, it is recommended to use the solution that your doctor recommends. If you want to change contact lens solutions always be sure to check to be sure that the contact lens solution is approved for your type of contact lenses. Never use your saliva, or tap water to rewet or store your lenses. Tap water and saliva contain bacteria that can easily be transferred over to your contact lenses.
- Don’t Go in Water With Contacts – Doing activities such as swimming, jumping in the jacuzzi, or any other watersport should not be combined with contact lenses. Pools, Lakes, and Jacuzzis have bacteria which can be trapped into your contact lenses and could lead to serious eye complications.
- Reduce Wearing Time – The Less you wear your contact lenses, the better for your eyes. It is always good to have a backup pair of glasses to give your eyes a break whenever they need it. For example, if you going to spend time around the house on your day off, you could just wear your glasses instead of your contacts for the day.
- Get Help – If you feel any discomfort in your eyes, redness, sensitivity to light, or any changes to your vision, stop using your contact lens immediately and contact your eye doctor as soon as possible.
Final Thoughts
Even though Walgreen’s retail price for contact lenses might be on the more expensive side, they often run great promo code such as the 20% off that they are running right now. These promo codes along with Walgreens being a trusted brand make them a great place to purchase your prescription contact lenses. So if you already have a prescription, head over to Walgreens website and take advantage of that 20% off before it expires on 12/.31/2018.
Where do you currently purchase your contact lenses? Did you know Walgreens sold contact lenses? Let me know below!If you have any questions or comments, don’t hesitate to leave it below and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
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FAQs
Can I use my insurance to order contacts from Walgreens? ›
Insurance: Walgreens accepts HSA and FSA on contacts orders.
What contact lens Do most doctors recommend? ›Acuvue Oasys For Astigmatism
These lenses are made from silicone hydrogel, the most breathable contact lens material. Trusted by many eye doctors and is one of the most popular contacts available. Available for the Acuvue rewards rebate program.
While cheap contacts are available, they aren't always the best choice for your eyes. A low-quality pair may be more likely to tear, and this could lead to a scratch on your cornea or other damage to the eye.
Can I order a different brand of contacts than my prescription? ›Unfortunately, not. Contact lenses come in different sizes and must be fit to your eye by an Optometrist or Ophthalmologist.
Why are contacts so much cheaper online? ›Contact lenses bought online will be cheaper because the process is much simpler and there are less business expenses. There's no real estate, no staff to accommodate you, and no paying a medical professional for a considerable chunk of their valuable time.
How long does it take to get contacts after eye exam? ›How Long Does it Take to Get Contacts After an Eye Exam? Contact lenses that you order online or from an optometrist's office usually arrive in about a week (or less, with expedited shipping). If your optometrist gives you trial lenses after your appointment, however, you'll be able to wear them immediately.
Does it matter which brand of contact lenses? ›Different brands of contact lenses are made from different materials, and just because another brand has a similar base curve and diameter does not mean it will fit the same. Wearing the exact brand that you have been prescribed will help prevent medical problems and allergic reactions to the different materials used.
Why can I see so much better with contacts than glasses? ›They produce a more “natural” field of vision.
Because they sit on the surface of your eyes and move with them, contact lenses provide seamless vision correction. Their benefits extend to your peripheral vision and they won't have the same types of visual disruptions that glasses do, such as reflections or fogginess.
You may be considered a hard to fit contact lens candidate if you have one of the following conditions: Dry Eyes. Astigmatism. Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (GPC)
What is the difference between cheap and expensive contact lens? ›The Contrast and Clarity of an image is what most people will notice right away when comparing a cheap lens to a higher-end lens. Typically the expensive lenses have better coatings both internally and externally. Coatings do a few things, they help reduce light scatter and this can actually help light transmittance.
What is the average cost of contact lenses without insurance? ›
What You Can Expect to Pay. Disposable contact lenses cost approximately $200 to $1,000 per year or $15 to $85 per month for regular wearers, if you're buying for both eyes. This range is so broad because it encompasses different types of contact lenses for different kinds of vision correction.
What is the weakest contact prescription? ›The weakest strength is typically 1.00 diopters. The prescription powers increase by . 25 diopters—1.25, 1.50, 1.75, 2.00)—until they reach the limit of 4.00. Before you decide on which strength, take a few pairs for a “test drive” by holding a magazine or book 14 to 16 inches from your face.
Should your glasses prescription be the same as contacts? ›Can You Use Your Glasses Prescription for Contact Lenses? Unfortunately, you can't use your current glasses prescription for contact lenses. While both can correct your vision, your prescription for glasses differs from a contact lens prescription in many ways.
Do you get contacts the same day as your eye exam? ›Most trials are handed out the same day as your exam, but some specialty lenses (toric, bifocal, colored, etc.) will have to be ordered. Wearing these lenses for a short period of time will help the doctor determine if those particular lenses are right for you.
Why can't you buy contacts without a current prescription? ›You should always have a current, valid prescription when you order contact lenses. If you have not had a check-up in the last one to two years, you may have problems with your eyes that you are not aware of, or your contact lenses may not correct your vision well.
What are the risks of buying contact lenses online? ›Contact lenses bought online
Buying and using these unreliable items can lead to eye infections, corneal ulcers, or even blindness. Any amount of money saved is not worth the irreversible harm to your vision. Avoid dubious or unknown sources and always buy your contact lenses from licensed vendors.
Optometrists sell what they prescribe, which is a conflict of interest. Optometrists are financially incentivized to sell certain contact lens brands, by using rebates or other similar programs that reward them for prescribing one product over another.
Is it possible to get contacts same day? ›In most cases same day contact lenses are available.
Do you need a second eye exam for contacts? ›If you wear or want contacts, you need a contact lens exam in addition to a comprehensive eye exam. Your eye doctor will perform special tests during a contact lens exam to evaluate your vision with contacts.
Is there a difference in quality of contact lenses? ›Contact lenses may seem like they are the same - simple pieces of plastic that correct your vision. However, there are several differences that can play a key role in the fitting your unique eyes. Different brands make contact lenses that vary in everything from material to shape to recommended replacement schedule.
Which brand contact lens is better? ›
Bausch and Lomb
Being the top choice for contact lenses of every type, such as toric lenses, colour disposable lenses, bifocal lenses, or daily/monthly/yearly disposable lenses, Bausch and Lomb's journey of innovating hydrogel-based contact lenses is exemplary.
However, when wondering, 'Contact lenses vs. glasses: which provides better vision? ', contacts are usually the answer. Since they go on your eyes, they offer superior front and peripheral vision.
What happens if you wear contacts and glasses at the same time? ›Yes. You can wear glasses and contact lenses at the same time. [toc]Many people do this because it fixes multiple issues they might have with their vision. The glasses might help with reading while the contacts improve farsightedness.
Do contacts damage your eyes more than glasses? ›Though they might be more convenient than glasses, wearing contacts comes with serious risks. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), wearing contact lenses increases the risk of developing eye infections, corneal ulcers, and other eye-related health conditions.
Is it harder to wear contacts as you get older? ›Contact lens wearers usually drop out of contact lenses between the age of 40 to 50. This is due to two primary reasons according to most studies conducted with patients and eye doctors. These two reasons are that patients have a harder time reading up close with their contacts, and that the contacts feel dry.
Why would an optometrist say someone Cannot wear contacts? ›Don't Wear Contacts to Routine Eye Exams
For a routine eye exam to be effective, your eye doctor needs to be able to see how your eyes function by themselves. Having your lenses in during the exam can make it harder for them to determine the prescription you need.
Cons of contact lens
Contact lenses are known to cause the wearer to experience dryness, redness and irritation. Contact lenses must fit properly onto the surface of the eyes to remain stable and not fall out. Although there are contact lenses for the majority of people, there are some patients who cannot wear them.
Expensive lenses will be able to project a quality image onto your sensor or film plane, and they aren't often updated every few years like camera bodies are. This means that lenses tend to hold the majority of their value for a lot longer than camera bodies, making them a good investment in most cases.
Why are contacts for astigmatism so expensive? ›It generally takes more expertise for an eye doctor to fit a patient for toric contacts than it does for regular lenses. For this reason, a toric lens fitting may cost more than a regular contact lens fitting. Since torics are more complex in design, the cost of replacing them will be higher than most regular contacts.
What's better daily or monthly contacts? ›Monthly lenses are more cost-effective than dailies if you wear contacts every day. It's also ideal for people who switch between glasses and contacts multiple times a day. You can clean and place them back again when needed, unlike with disposable lenses that must be discarded after use.
Why are glasses cheaper than contacts? ›
Glasses are generally less expensive than contacts in the long run because they do not need to be replaced as often. However, if your glasses break, they can be expensive to replace.
Can you shower with contacts in? ›Avoid water while wearing contacts.
Make sure to remove your contacts before showering, bathing, or swimming. Don't rinse or store your contacts in water, and if it does occur, make sure to throw away or disinfect them thoroughly. Use clean hands.
Mild: -0.50 to -3. Moderate: -3.25 to -5.00. High: -5.25 to -10. Extreme: greater than-10.
Are contacts stronger or weaker than glasses? ›In general, the prescriptive power of a contact lens will be somewhat less nearsighted than eyeglasses. So in most simple words, the power of a contact lens will be lower than the eyeglass prescription.
What happens if you wear contacts that are too weak? ›Wearing a prescription that is too weak or too strong can cause: Blurry vision. Eyestrain. Fatigue.
Can contact lenses be covered by insurance? ›Generally, most vision insurance plans include some coverage for contacts. Different plans can have different coverage options, so be sure to check with your healthcare provider to see what costs may be covered for you.
Can you get contacts and glasses with insurance? ›Your insurance plan design will determine how often you can get contacts or glasses. Generally, plans don't cover both eyeglasses and contacts purchased in the same year. Humana Vision offers single vision lenses for a $25 copay through participating providers and a $150 allowance toward frames once every 12 months.
Can I use insurance for contact lens solution? ›Other Items You Can Purchase
In addition to contact lenses, FSAs and HSAs can also pay for glasses, eye contact solution or any other types of products related to eye care.
How can I order glasses and contact lenses online? You can order contact lenses online, but you must have a valid prescription from an optician. Once you have your prescription, you may order you lenses anywhere you like and it is cheaper to order your contact lenses online.
Is it better to get glasses or contacts with insurance? ›If you have vision insurance, you can use the coverage to buy or lower your cost for prescription eyeglasses. Most plans, including VSP insurance, provide a higher benefit for glasses, allowing for the cost of both frames and lenses and usually amounting to almost double to what is given for contact lenses.
How much is a pair of contacts without insurance? ›
What You Can Expect to Pay. Disposable contact lenses cost approximately $200 to $1,000 per year or $15 to $85 per month for regular wearers, if you're buying for both eyes. This range is so broad because it encompasses different types of contact lenses for different kinds of vision correction.
How much do contacts cost on average with insurance? ›Contact lenses can cost anywhere from $150 to $1,500 a year, depending on the brand, type, and your insurance coverage.
Will my contact lens prescription be the same as my glasses? ›Unfortunately that's not the case; the two prescriptions are different because of the distance the lenses sit from your eyes. While your glasses prescription can serve as a starting point, you will need a contact lens consultation to get the correct contact lens prescription.
Can I get contacts without an eye exam? ›If you wear or want contacts, you need a contact lens exam in addition to a comprehensive eye exam. Your eye doctor will perform special tests during a contact lens exam to evaluate your vision with contacts.
Can I buy contact lens without consulting the doctor? ›Prescription Requirements
A person must have a contact lens prescription from an eye doctor (an optometrist or an ophthalmologist) to buy contact lenses. This is true for all kinds of contacts.
Consult an eye doctor: Contact lenses are medical devices that need to be properly fitted by an eye care professional, even if you are just wearing them to change your eye colour. The doctor will examine your eye to ensure it is okay for you to wear contacts.
Are contact lenses more expensive than glasses? ›Contact lenses are typically even more expensive than glasses. The average amount spent annually on contact lenses is around $250, but this price can fluctuate quite a bit depending on the type of lenses prescribed and the wear schedule. Non-disposable contacts tend to cost a little less than disposable contacts.
Why is my contact prescription stronger than glasses? ›Part of the reason for the differences is that contacts are placed directly on the lens of your eye, while glasses sit about 12 millimeters away. That seemingly minor difference requires a different prescription strength for each type of corrective eyewear.
Is it OK to order contact lenses online? ›Is it illegal to buy contact lenses online? No. But be sure to use your prescription when purchasing contact lenses online to ensure you're getting the right fit for your eyes.
How long is a contact lens prescription good for? ›Generally, contact lens prescriptions are valid from 1 to 2 years following the date of your last eye exam and contact lens fitting. Once your prescription expires, it's time for your contacts prescription renewal.