Expert articles from licensed optician Julie Sennett — brand comparisons, money-saving tips, eye health guidance, and honest product reviews.
Need reading glasses but not sure what strength to buy? Using your existing prescription, here's how to calculate the right power for over-the-counter reading glasses step by step.
A contact lens exam is separate from your regular eye exam — and most optometrists charge extra for it. Here's what's involved and what you can expect to pay.
Your PD (pupillary distance) is required when ordering glasses online — but it's often not included with your prescription. Here's how to measure it yourself in 6 easy steps using just a ruler and a camera.
Polarized sunglasses don't just block light — they eliminate glare entirely. Here's the science behind how they work and why they're superior to regular tinted sunglasses.
Legal blindness has a precise definition — and it's not about how bad your vision is without glasses. Here's what the legally blind requirements are in the USA, Canada, and the UK.
Everything a first-time contact lens wearer needs to know — from finding the right brand and proper insertion technique to cleaning, hygiene, and building a safe wearing schedule.
Blurry vision with your contacts can have several causes — from a wrong prescription and dry eyes to an inside-out lens or a more serious corneal issue. Here are the top 8 reasons.
A step-by-step commentary on the easiest way to insert and remove contact lenses, with tips on technique, eyelid control, keeping lenses clean, and removing safely.
Confused about the difference between an optometrist, an ophthalmologist, and an optician? Here's a clear breakdown of what each eye care professional does and when to see each one.
Many people worry that wearing contact lenses will make their prescription worse. Here's what the evidence actually says — and the one scenario where contacts can affect your vision.
Not sure if your contact lens is inside out? Here are 5 reliable techniques — from the edge shape trick to the Taco Test — to help you get it right every time.
There's no exact cutoff age for wearing contact lenses. What matters far more is maturity, motivation, and dexterity — here's what to consider for yourself or your child.
Hubble Contacts has expanded into Canada — but does the math work out for Canadian contact lens wearers? I crunched the exchange rate numbers so you don't have to.
Lugging full-size contact lens solution bottles when you travel is a pain. Here's a review of the top travel-size contact lens solutions and where to find them for the lowest price.
Monthly contact lenses are the most affordable type to wear. Here are 4 brands with great value at low prices — including one that works out to just $0.15 per day.
GlassesUSA.com started selling contact lenses promising great value — but how do their prices actually stack up against the competition? I compared 5 brands across 8 retailers to find out.
Biotrue multi-purpose solution is one of the most innovative on the market. Here's a price comparison of where to find it for the least — the difference between retailers is surprisingly large.
There is no single cheapest site for contact lenses — every website has the lowest price for some brands and overcharges for others. Here's what you should be doing instead, and why it saves you real money.
39dollarglasses.com has been offering low-cost glasses for years, and recently started selling contact lenses too. Here's my full review — and whether the free glasses deal is worth it for contact lens buyers.
Not sure which contact lens brand is right for you? This guide walks you through the key questions — starting with whether you have astigmatism — to help you narrow down the best brand for your needs.
The most inexpensive contact lenses online aren't gimmicky, old, or poor quality — they're high-quality daily disposables made by one of the founders of the category. Here's what makes DaySoft so remarkable.
Coupon codes, rebates, and free shipping offers at contact lens websites are not what they seem. Here's how to cut through the marketing tactics and actually find the best contact lens deals online.
Not all contact lens websites charge the same — some are nearly twice as expensive as others for the exact same brand. Here's how I calculated which sites consistently offer the best contact lens prices online.
Contact lens prices vary wildly online — the same brand can cost more than three times as much at one retailer versus another. Here's the data that proves why comparing prices before every purchase matters.
There are now more places than ever to buy contact lenses online — but not all of them charge the same price. Here's why the answer is never a single site, and how to always find the lowest price for your brand.
There are ways to dramatically cut your contact lens costs without compromising on quality. Here are the top 5 least expensive contact lenses you can buy online — including one that costs just $0.15 per day.
Still driving to your eye doctor's office to buy contact lenses? Here's why that might be costing you more time and money than you realize — and where to find a better deal.
There are pros and cons to buying contact lenses from your eye doctor, a big box store, or online. Here's what you need to know before you decide where to buy — and why online isn't always as simple as it sounds.
How much do contacts cost? It depends on your prescription type, your replacement schedule, and where you buy. Here's a full breakdown of what you can expect to pay for every major category of contact lens.
Wondering if contact lenses for reading only are a thing? The answer depends entirely on your situation. Here are the three main scenarios and what actually works for each one.
Extended wear contact lenses are FDA-approved for overnight use — but only certain people can safely wear them. Here are the top 5 brands, their Dk/t ratings, and their exact FDA approvals.
Yes, they make bifocal contact lenses — but they're not called that, and they don't work like bifocal glasses at all. Here's what multifocal contact lenses actually are and how they work.
Need a reading contact lens prescription? From multifocal contacts to monovision to KAMRA inlays, here's a complete overview of every option available to help you read comfortably without glasses.
Bausch + Lomb announced ULTRA for Presbyopia — a multifocal monthly lens combining MoistureSeal Technology with their 3-Zone Progressive design. Here's why this is big news for presbyopic contact lens wearers.
Multifocal contact lenses exist to help presbyopes see clearly at all distances without reading glasses. Here's how they work, the different designs available, and whether you should order them online.
When it comes to soft contact lenses, 'permanent' is a thing of the past. Here's why the industry has moved toward shorter and shorter replacement schedules — and what RGP and Ortho K lenses have to do with it.
Daily disposable contact lenses are worn once and thrown away — no cleaning, no storage, no fuss. Here's what makes them different from monthly lenses, and how the costs actually compare.
Buying contacts online can save you money — but only if you get the right prescription, the right price, and the right parameters. Here are the 3 crucial steps most people skip.
In the US, contact lens sites must verify your prescription before shipping. But not all sites are subject to US law — here's how some people order without a prescription and what to consider.
Optometrists have several talking points to keep you buying contacts from them. Here's the truth behind each one — from product quality to exclusive brands to mail-in rebates.
The Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act broke optometrists' monopoly on contact lens sales and gave you the right to shop anywhere. Here's exactly what the law says and what it means for you.
Contact lens rebates promise hundreds of dollars back — but manufacturers make the redemption process so difficult that most people never collect. Here's what's really going on.
There are smart ways and not-so-smart ways to cut your contact lens costs. Stretching your lenses is a false economy — here's what actually works without risking your eye health.
Auto-ship subscriptions promise convenience and savings — but do the numbers actually add up? Here's an honest look at the pros, cons, and whether a subscription is really the best deal.
Most people assume you have to visit a brick-and-mortar optometrist to use vision benefits — but you can use them online, and often save more money in the process. Here's how.
If you've been wearing the same contact lens brand for years, newer options may offer real benefits — or they may not. Here's how to tell when it's actually worth switching.
Alcon has done it again. Their new TOTAL30 monthly lens brings the water content gradient technology from DAILIES TOTAL1 to a monthly format — but with a twist. Here is everything you need to know.
The CBC Marketplace video 'Why You Don't Need Blue Light Lenses' has stirred up a lot of controversy in optical stores. Here is a timestamp-by-timestamp critique of where it gets it right — and where it goes badly wrong.
ContactsCart claims "amazingly low prices." Finding the lowest contact lens prices is my specialty — so I put that claim to the test by comparing ContactsCart against the best prices I could find across the web for 8 of their top brands.
Alcon's PRECISION 1 ONE-DAY is a brand new silicone hydrogel daily disposable contact lens designed specifically to prevent contact lens drop-out in new wearers. Here's everything known about it at launch.
Want to change your eye color occasionally without committing to a monthly lens? Daily colored contact lenses are the healthiest, most convenient option. Here is a full review of every brand available.
MiSight contact lenses by CooperVision are the first soft contact lens designed to slow myopia progression in children. Here is a detailed review and critical analysis of CooperVision's claims.
CooperVision's Spectacle Calculator claims to convert your glasses prescription to contact lens parameters. I put it to the test and found major errors that could leave astigmatism patients unable to see clearly.
A new brand of contact lenses is emerging called Aveo soft contact lenses, made by SuperVision — a subsidiary of Supermax. Here is a full review of the 3 Aveo lens variants and what to expect when they hit the North American market.
The Bausch + Lomb ULTRA for Astigmatism is the first new monthly toric lens in nearly a decade. It brings MoistureSeal Technology and OpticAlign Design to the astigmatism market. Here is a full review.
EzContacts isn't just another contact lens website. Their 105% price match guarantee — where they beat any competitor's price by 5% — means you can use Contacts Advice to find the lowest price and then get 5% off on top of that.
Are Hubble Contacts actually affordable? Are they safe? This in-depth review covers Hubble's contact lens quality, pricing compared to other brands, breathability data, and their subscription model — with everything you need to make an informed decision.
Part 4 (final) of the conversion tutorial series. Introduces the Power Cross technique for visually working through complex conversions, and explains advanced Vertex Conversion Charts for Sphere and Cylinder.
Part 3 of the conversion tutorial series. Covers the axis — what it is, how it is measured, how to round it for contact lenses — and explains the 3 most important special cases in prescription conversion.
Part 2 of the conversion tutorial series. Explains why glasses and contact lens prescriptions differ, introduces the Back Vertex Formula and Vertex Conversion Charts, and walks through worked examples.
Part 1 of a comprehensive tutorial series on converting a glasses prescription to contact lenses. Covers how lenses work, diopters, sphere, cylinder, axis, and astigmatism basics.
Contact Lens King's ad promises savings of up to 70% and claims it's 'like buying wholesale.' I dissect their ad line by line to show you what they're actually saying — and where the claims fall short.
Acuvue Vita is Johnson & Johnson's first ever monthly replacement lens. With HydraMax Technology, non-coated material, Class 1 UV blocking, and Infinity Edge Design, it's a major step forward for monthly lenses.
Air Optix Colors by Alcon is the first monthly colored contact lens to use breathable silicone hydrogel material with the color pattern buried inside the lens for maximum comfort. Here is a full review.
Choosing the right glasses frames is about far more than picking a style you like. Your face shape, complexion, personality, and wardrobe all play a role. This complete guide walks you through every factor.
We have all heard about UV light, but what do we really know about how it damages our eyes? Here is everything you need to know about UV damage to eyes and how to protect yourself.
Your glasses prescription and your contact lens prescription are not the same. If you are using your glasses prescription to order contact lenses online, you may be ordering the wrong power. Here is why — and what your eye doctor does to convert it.
Acuvue Vita for Astigmatism by Johnson & Johnson brings HydraMax Technology and Blink Stabilized Design to the monthly toric market — here is a full review of this premium monthly lens for astigmatism.
As of May 19th, 2017, both VisionDirect.com and LensMart.com shut down and redirected all traffic to Walgreens — here is what happened and what it means for contact lens shoppers.
A comprehensive Acuvue Oasys for Astigmatism price comparison across 19 retailers — including totals with shipping, handling, and processing fees — taken July 2017.
A comprehensive Air Optix Multifocal price comparison across 19 retailers for both 2-box and 4-box orders — including shipping and handling fees — taken June 2017.
Johnson & Johnson's Acuvue Oasys 1-Day with HydraLuxe Technology is the smoothest daily lens ever manufactured — engineered to reduce blink-related eye fatigue for heavy digital device users.
Biofinity Energys by CooperVision is the world's first monthly contact lens with Digital Zone Optics — designed to reduce eye strain for heavy digital device users. Here is a full review.
CooperVision's MyDay is a premium daily disposable lens with Smart Silicone Chemistry that bridges the gap between comfort and breathability — without the trade-off that plagued earlier silicone hydrogel lenses.
Wondering where the best place to buy Air Optix contact lenses is? In November 2016, the difference between the cheapest and most expensive retailer was $87 for a year supply — here is the breakdown.
Free shipping isn't everything when buying contact lenses online — sometimes a site with shipping fees still beats one with free shipping. Here is a breakdown of the top sites for cheap contacts.
Looking for the lowest price on Focus Dailies? Here is why older contact lens brands can actually cost more than newer ones — and where to find the Focus Dailies best price.
The Bausch + Lomb ULTRA is a revolutionary monthly contact lens that combines breathable samfilcon A material with MoistureSeal Technology for all-day comfort — even for heavy digital device users.
Bausch + Lomb is one of the four major contact lens manufacturers in North America. Here is a rundown of their most popular lines — ULTRA, PureVision2, Biotrue ONEday, and SofLens.
Julie's first-hand account of trying the Bausch + Lomb ULTRA contact lens — 12 hours of wear, including a nap, with eyes that had not tolerated contact lenses for years.
Dailies TOTAL1 by Alcon is the world's first water gradient contact lens — with 33% water content at the core and over 80% at the surface. Here is a full review of this breakthrough in daily lens comfort.
Johnson & Johnson's Acuvue 1-Day Define lenses don't change your eye color — they enhance your natural eye beauty with subtle highlights, vivid color, and a defined limbal ring. Here's what you need to know.
A wave of new contact lenses for astigmatism arrived in 2017 — ULTRA for Astigmatism, MyDay Toric, Acuvue Oasys 1-Day for Astigmatism, and Acuvue Vita for Astigmatism. Here is a full overview of each.
If you have astigmatism and are over 40, you may need both toric and multifocal correction. The answer is yes — multifocal contact lenses for astigmatism do exist. Here are the two options available in North America.
QueenContacts.com sells color contact lenses for astigmatism, but there's a critical catch: most of their colorful designs are only available in Axis 180 — which won't work for the majority of astigmatism prescriptions.
Having difficulty finding toric color contact lenses for astigmatism? PinkyParadise.com is a South Korean retailer that offers 10 toric circle lens colors with a wide parameter range — here is the full breakdown.
Since FreshLook Color Toric was discontinued in 2014, color contact lenses for astigmatism have been hard to find in North America — but international brands Solotica and Desio still offer toric color lenses.
Colored prescription contacts let you change your eye color while still correcting your vision. Here is what you need to know about today's options — including brands for astigmatism.
Why do some contact lens brands contain the word 'toric'? Here is a clear, simplified explanation of what toric contact lenses are, how they work, and their limitations.
Astigmatism is one of the most common yet least understood vision conditions. Here is a clear explanation of what astigmatism is, what causes it, and what it means for contact lens wearers.
As digital device use increases, dry eyes with contacts are becoming more and more common. Here are my top monthly and daily picks for the best contact lenses for dry eyes.
Dry eyes with contacts is more than an inconvenience — in the long run it can affect your eye health. Here are the 6 most common causes and exactly what you can do about each one.
50% of contact lens wearers get dry eyes, and over 75% of dropouts cite dryness as the reason. The leading culprit? Meibomian Gland Dysfunction — here's what it is and how to treat it.
The #1 reason people drop out of contact lenses is discomfort and dryness. Here are 4 of the best eye drops for contact lens wearers — and why choosing the right one matters.
Beyond the typical rub-and-rinse solutions, hydrogen peroxide systems like Clear Care and PeroxiClear offer a superior clean — but there are important rules you must follow to use them safely.
HYLO eye drops by CandorVision have revolutionized the way we use eye drops — preservative free, contamination-proof, and perfectly dosed every time. Here's what makes them different.
Long hours at a computer reduce your blink rate — and for contact lens wearers, that means dryness, discomfort, and potentially long-term eye problems. Here's what you need to know.
Is it true that staring at a computer will make your eyes worse? For adults, probably not — but for children and teenagers, the answer is more complicated.
Contact lens irritation can ruin your day — and sometimes signals something serious. Here are the top 15 causes, from something under your lens to corneal ulcers, so you can recognize and prevent them.
Wearing contact lenses offers many advantages, but to maintain healthy contact lens wear for years, follow these 7 simple tips — from hand hygiene to avoiding water exposure to replacing on time.
From age limits to falling out easily to getting stuck behind your eye — here are 9 common contact lens myths, reviewed and fact-checked with my own perspective as a licensed optician.
Red eyes from contacts are annoying and can sometimes signal something serious. Here are the top 8 reasons contact lens wearers develop redness — and what to do about each one.
A contact lens can slide up under your eyelid — but it cannot get lost behind your eye. Here is exactly what to do, step by step, to get it out safely without panicking.
At 23, I had already been wearing contacts for 8 years when I developed a corneal complication from over-wear. Here are the 5 habits that would have prevented it — and can prevent it for you.
If you wear contact lenses you may wonder if it is OK to wear them while showering. Here are the reasons why eye care professionals advise against it — and what the actual risk really is.
How many hours a day should you wear your contact lenses? The answer depends on your brand and eye health — but here is the general guideline every contact lens wearer should know.
Are monthly contact lenses good for 30 days or 30 uses? Many occasional wearers get this wrong. Here is the simple answer — and why it matters for both your safety and your wallet.
A question that new and seasoned wearers alike ask very often: can I sleep in my contact lenses? The answer depends on the brand, your eye health, and how often you do it. Here is what you need to know.
We all know LASIK can help people with nearsightedness get rid of glasses — but can LASIK fix astigmatism? The short answer is yes, but it's not a home run every time. Here is what you need to know.
Converting a glasses prescription to contacts involves lots of calculations — but what if all the results were pre-calculated into charts you could just look up? They have been. Here is how to use them.
Ortho K contacts reshape your cornea overnight so you can see clearly during the day without glasses or contacts. Here is everything you need to know — cost, advantages, disadvantages, risks, and who they work for.
Tired of glasses and weighing your options? Here is an honest breakdown of the pros and cons of contact lenses vs LASIK surgery to help you decide which one is right for you.
Standard vertex conversion charts only convert one power at a time. These charts convert both Sphere and Cylinder simultaneously — covering all combinations from 0 to −8.00 Sphere and 0 to −3.25 Cylinder.
Look up the Spherical Equivalent of any Sphere and Cylinder combination between Sphere values of 0 to −7.75 and Cylinder values of 0 to −3.25, organized by Sphere range.
The short answer is no — a contact lens prescription cannot be reliably converted back to a glasses prescription. Here is why, explained through examples of how information is lost during the forward conversion.
Not sure how to get from your glasses prescription to the numbers you need for contacts? Here are 3 methods — from visiting your eye doctor to using the Back Vertex Formula and vertex conversion charts.
Your glasses prescription can have up to 10 numbers plus various lens options. Here is a clear guide to what every box means — Sphere, Cylinder, Axis, Prism, Add, and more.
Your glasses prescription is not the same as your contact lens prescription — and ordering contacts with the wrong numbers can cause blurry vision and eyestrain. Here's why they differ and what to do about it.
The numbers on your contact lens prescription are not the same as your glasses prescription — and there's a good reason for that. Here is a complete overview of how the conversion works, step by step.
Have astigmatism but want colored contact lenses? Your eye doctor may be able to use the spherical equivalent of your prescription to make it work. Here is how it is calculated and when it applies.
Some eye doctors write prescriptions in positive cylinder format — but all online glasses and contact lens vendors use negative cylinder. Here is how to identify a plus cylinder prescription and convert it to minus cylinder.
Did your prescription just keep getting worse every year? Here is what causes myopia, why it progressively worsens, and the 3 practical things you can do to slow it down.
Two of the most popular monthly contact lenses go head to head. We compare comfort, oxygen permeability, moisture retention, and price to help you decide which is right for your eyes.
Contact lenses are a recurring cost that really adds up. Here are the strategies I recommend to my patients — from price comparison to manufacturer rebates — that can cut your annual lens spend significantly.
Sphere, cylinder, axis, BC, DIA — your prescription is full of abbreviations that most people never fully understand. I break down every parameter so you know exactly what you need when ordering.
Toric lenses correct astigmatism but not all brands are created equal. After fitting hundreds of patients, here are the toric lenses that consistently deliver the clearest, most stable vision.
Presbyopia doesn't have to mean reading glasses. Multifocal contacts have come a long way — but there are important things to understand about how they work and who they suit best.
Poor lens hygiene is the leading cause of preventable eye infections. This is the care routine I recommend to every patient — straightforward, evidence-based, and easy to follow.
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