Information about discount contact lens stores and list/directory, cheap contact lens, AC Lens, 1-800-Contacts

AC Lens Celebrates Ten Years of Providing Superior Contact Lens Service

(PRWEB) - Columbus, OH (PRWEB) May 10, 2005 -- AC Lens, a leading online contact lens retailer, has reached its 10-year anniversary, and continues to provide quality contact lens products, excellent service, and competitive prices. The company was founded AC Lens in 1995 and was one of the first to sell contact lenses online when it"s web-site was launched in 1996. AC Lens has experienced 10 straight years of at least 50% sales growth, including 57% sales growth in 2004, and has been profitable every year since 1996. The company continues to expand its reach, and has sold over 11 million contact lenses to over 300,000 customers.

According to Founder & CEO Peter M Clarkson, MD, "Our company has established itself as a leading online contact lens retailer by focusing on the customer experience and low prices. The AC Lens staff is comprised of customer service specialists who focus all their energy on knowing everything there is to know about contact lenses. AC Lens representatives receive extensive training that enables them to provide expert advice and personalized service to contact lens wearers. Customers can be certain that when they order contact lenses from AC Lens that they will be helped by someone who is a contact lens expert, and not someone who handles a variety of disparate products."

AC Lens has survived the dot bombs and busts because of a drive to expand possibilities. AC Lens has developed technology in-house that gives them the exclusive ability to work directly with healthcare providers and practices wishing to provide a turnkey solution to companies wishing to outsource their contact lens business. AC Lens has developed this technology to offer their patients a simple way to order contact lenses online. This innovation benefits the consumer, the partner, and AC Lens.

AC Lens will continue to expand in 2005, moving into a larger warehouse and call-center facility that is necessary because of the continued growth the company has experienced over the past decade. The move will allow AC Lens to keep its entire warehouse, shipping, and customer service staff in-house, which is a rarity in this day and age. This is just another part of the commitment to excellence that should keep AC Lens growing through the next decade.

discount contact lens

The eyes have it - contact lenses improvement

MOST PEOPLE do it for appearance's sake. But when Julian Smetana, production manager for Mars Electronics in Folcroft, Pa., switched to contact lenses, ti was to end the constant hassle of putting on and taking off his reading glasses. He decided to use two of the most recent advances in lenses: extended wear and a technique called monovision.

He had never worn contacts before, but he found he had no trouble at all adapting to wearing the single Saran-Wrap-like lens that was fitted to his left eye, the one that would be his reading eye. His naturally dominating right eye was left unaided for distance vision. To his surprise, his brain quickly got accustomed to this visual inequity and figured out when to pay attention to which eye.

the monovision approach, which often involves two different prescriptions rather than Smetana's one, has been a boon to those who have grappled with bifocals. Instead of correcting the eyes so that the focus of both is resolved at a single point, one eye is corrected to be usable for close vision and the other to be usable for distances. The invidual basically uses only one eye at a time. Monovision has had a 70 percent to 80 percent success rate--way beyond that of other bifocal contact lenses.

Contact lenses have come a long way since their introduction in the 1930s. There is now variety of types, with different compositions, consistencies, capabilities and price tags.

• Hard lenses ($49 to $125) made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) have excellent optical qualities and can correct acute vision problems. However, they allow for no exchange of oxygen from air to eye. Since the cornea--the clear, domeshaped structure covering the colored section of the eye--has no blood vessels, it depends on contact with air to obtain oxygen. The decrease in access to air and the feeling of a foreign object (that is, the hard lens itself) in the eye create discomfort. People work hard to desensitize their eyes, following strict schedules of an increasing number of hours per day to build up to an eight-hour maximum.
• Conventional soft lenses ($69-$150) need almost no getting used to and can be worn just on weekends or special occasions if one wishes. Made of various spongy types of plastic, they absorb water to make up 30 to 80 percent of their total volume. Though the water makes them more comfortable, it also means that soft lenses soak up proteins, fats, mucus and bacteria, as well as smoke and sprays. They need meticulous daily cleaning and disinfecting to keep them safe and clear. Due to their gel-like texture and all the handling that goes into maintaining them, they generally are damaged and need replacement within two years.
• Gas-permeable lenses ($139-$200) are made of plastic and/or silicon, and provide visual correction equal to that of hard lenses. They have a much shorter break-in period, however, and may be worn for up to 16 hours. They are also relatively easy to handle. Since they allow 80 percent of normal air flow to the eyes, there is less chance of the kind of 'overwear' problems people often have with hard lenses: corneal swelling and temporary distortion of vision called 'spectacle blur.' The gas-permeable lens is durable, lasting almost as long as hard lenses.
• Extending wear lenses ($225) are the newest type and one of the hottest items to hit the American market since horseless buggies. The attraction is evident: Since they are worn for about two weeks at a stretch, you can see well all the time--it is like having anturally good vision. Made of the same plastic as soft lenses, they have been adapted to allow for a 75 percent air exchange. They are immediately comfortable because they are extremely thin and soft, but this also makes them hard to handle and easy to damage. They must be cleaned and disinfected when removed. Because the lenses allow the eyes no time off, the eyes' health must be carefully monitored by a professional.

Not all eyeglasses wearers are good candidates for contacts. First, you must be srongly motivated to succeed. With hard lenses, there must be a strong commitment to following the wearing schedule and tolerating the initial discomfort. For soft lenses,t he commitment is to proper daily lens care. Ophthamologist Zoraida Fiol-Silva, director of the Contact Lens Service of Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia, cites poor lens care as the major cause of conjunctivitis in soft lens wearers. This inflammation makes wearing lenses temporarily impossible--and unsafe.

Within the next year or two we will likely see contacts that can change dark eyes to light, as well as tinted extended wear lenses (the only type not currently tintable). We will also see gas-permeable extended wear lenses,a nd, the ultimate move in this industry as in many others: disposable lenses. Imagine picking up a six-pack of your extended wear prescription and taking a devil-maycare attitude about the lenses. If you damage one, you can just chuck it out and reach for a fresh one.

Your source for discount contact lens - Contact Lens Material

Contact lenses have become increasingly more popular due to the large percentage of people who can successfully wear soft disposable contacts. In the past, people with bifocal, Astigmatism, and high prescriptions were not good candidates for a soft contact lens. Presently, contact lens companies have mastered affordable contact lenses for all types of vision. Basically, making every person a “good” candidate to try a soft disposable contact lens to manage their vision needs. Because of the different types of material and large ranges of powers that a contact lens is now available in, your eye care professional can use a number of options to successfully fit you with a soft disposable contact lens, whether you are 12 or 65.

To generalize, the FDA breaks down the classification of a contact lens into four different categories. The material which they are manufactured in, determine the unique polymer classifications. Group 1, is low water content (<50%) Nonionic Polymers, Group 2 is high water content (>50%) Nonionic polymers, Group 3 is low water content Ionic polymers, and Group 4 is high water content Ionic polymers. When a contact lens has Ionic material, it has an affinity to retain proteins deposits, conversely, when a contact lens has Nonionic material it retards protein deposits. You may be wondering why all contact lens manufacturers don’t just use Nonionic material in there contact lenses just to be safe (so there is not a lot of protein deposits) In reality, many types of contacts lens are designed to be replaced so frequently that the Ionic material, although more deposit prone, never become clinically significant because of the frequency of replacement. It just so happens that generally the more comfortable material is Ionic, hence the large percentage of contact lenses that are made from this Group 3 and 4 material. In most situations your eye care professional can find the right material to insure a comfortable wearing soft contact lens that provides excellent vision.

Tune in shortly for the next article regarding dry eyes and the contact lens. [ visit LAContacts.com to learn more ]

discount contact lens Directory

• Order Contacts at Vision Direct
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• 1-Save-On-Lens Contact Lenses
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• Eye Drop for Dry Eyes - Free Coupon
  Sign up for a $1 off coupon for Refresh Brand? Dry Eyes artificial tears. A doctor-recommended solution for dry eye symptoms.
• Discount Contact Lens Products - Lowest Prices at DealTime!
  Save time & money every time you shop online: DealTime is a free comparison-shopping service that helps you find the Web's best prices on links to everything from Computers & Electronics to Jewelry, Toys & more.
• Shopping Mall with Contact Lens sites!
  Online Shopping Mall to help you find internet contact lens sites. Browse our Quick and Easy Marketplace with 400+ product categories. NEW categories regularly added and updated!
• Contact Lens Institute
  Raleigh vision center specializes in contact lens examinations, prescriptions, and supplies.
• Jessup & Thompson Lane Eye Care - TN
  Located in Nashville, the eye doctors at Jessup Eye Care & Thompson Lane Eye Care offer many products & services, such as LASIK surgery, vision therapy, & contact lenses.
• Wang Vision Institute
  Nashville optometrist offers a complete set of vision treatments including Lasik surgery and implantable contact lenses.

Lens.com's FAQ

Lens.com supply all the major brands and types of contact lenses at prices up to 70% below retail. Our company is the fastest growing direct-to-consumer contact lens supplier in the world. We have achieved this status by combining the lowest prices available with dedicated, personalized customer service. We pride ourselves on our high quality of customer service and order fulfillment. All of our orders are shipped either by U.S.P.S or FedEx. Most orders are processed and are ready to ship within 48-hours and should arrive within three to five business days after shipment.

Best Price Guarantee

Lens.com check the prices of all major online, and retail contact lens distributors on a daily basis. On average our customers tell us that our prices are 15% less than any other reputable online vendors. We have also found that our prices are at least 50% less than visiting your local optician or eye care professional's office. The reason we can do this is volume, we are fast becoming one of the Web's largest on line retailer of contact lenses. When you add in the fact that we deliver your contact lenses right to your door, the choice is clear. Save time, save money, try Lens.com.

Do I need a copy of my prescription to order contact lenses?

Yes. Lens.com requires a valid prescription for all contact lens orders. You can obtain a copy of your prescription from your doctor and forward it on to Lens.com, or you can simply provide Lens.com with the necessary information and we will verify it with your eye care provider.

Do Not Forget - Federal Law now requires your eye care provider to release a copy of your prescriptions. This allows you to take advantage of our low prices. Make sure to get a copy of your contact lens prescription, it belongs to you.

About AC Lens

AC Lens is an online contact lens and contact lens accessory retailer and sells brand name contacts, reading glasses, and vitamins and eye drops, directly to consumers via its website at http://www.aclens.com/ . Operating from a custom-designed call-center and warehouse facility in Hilliard, Ohio, the company has been selling contact lenses online since 1996 and has established a reputation as an on-line leader in service, convenience, and discount prices for consumers. Visit AC Lens on the web at http://www.aclens.com

1-800-Contacts -- The world's largest contact store

With over 20 million contacts in stock, we are more likely to have your contacts in stock than anyone else. In fact, we sell as many contact lenses in a single day, as 2500 retail shops combined. Our goal is to provide you with an easy and convenient way of ordering your contact lenses. With every on-line order you'll receive free shipping, a free lens case, and guaranteed satisfaction.

1-800 CONTACTS customers receive the exact same contact lenses as they do from their eye care provider, including all of the major brands like Acuvue, Optima, Focus and Biomedics, as well as hard-to-find specialty lenses such as toric, colored, multifocal and disposable lenses.

At 1-800 CONTACTS, we are dedicated to providing you with a simple, fast, and less expensive way to replace your contact lenses. We don't sell a myriad of other products; we just focus on contact lenses and strive to be the best at it. Therefore, when you choose to order your contact lenses from 1-800 CONTACTS you will find: At 1-800 CONTACTS, we are dedicated to providing you with a simple, fast, and less expensive way to replace your contact lenses. We don't sell a myriad of other products; we just focus on contact lenses and strive to be the best at it. Therefore, when you choose to order your contact lenses from 1-800 CONTACTS you will find: The Highest Quality Lenses - 1-800 CONTACTS' customers receive the exact same contact lenses as they do from their eye care provider, including all of the major brands like Acuvue, Optima, Focus, Freshlook, Soflens, Proclear and Biomedics, as well as hard-to-find specialty lenses such as toric contact lenses, colored contacts lens, bifocal contacts, and multifocal lenses. 1-800 CONTACTS is an authorized retailer with Bausch & Lomb, CIBA Vision, CooperVision, and Johnson & Johnson.

Buying Contact Lenses on the Internet, by Phone, or by Mail: Questions and Answers

The FDA wants you to be a wise consumer if you buy contact lenses, an FDA-regulated product, on the Internet, over the phone or by mail. While such purchases are often a convenient and economical way to get lenses, Internet, phone, or mail orders require consumers to exercise some caution. The following questions and answers should help you take simple precautions to make your Internet, phone or mail purchase safe and effective for you.

What do I need to consider when buying contact lenses on the Internet, by phone or by mail?

• Is my contact lens prescription current? You should always have a current, correct 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.
• The expiration date for your prescription is currently set by your state. Some require a one-year renewal, some a two-year renewal, while other states leave it to your doctor to decide.
• Never order lenses with a prescription that has expired.

What does a valid contact lens prescription include?

• This depends on the state where your doctor practices. State laws often define a prescription’s requirements. In states without a legal definition, the prescribing doctor includes some minimum elements.
• The minimum elements usually include your name and the doctor’s name along with the contact lens brand name and material. Also, lens measurements such as power, diameter and base curve are included.
• More detailed prescriptions will include directions for safe use such as wearing schedule, whether lenses are for daily or extended wear, the number of refills, whether lens material substitutions are allowed and an expiration date.
• Some Internet sites ask for information about your doctor so that they may check the prescription with your doctor. State laws vary greatly concerning the kind of verification that is required. Internet sites should comply with applicable State requirements concerning verification of prescriptions for contact lenses.

Will I get in legal trouble if I buy my contact lenses on the Internet, by phone or by mail if I don’t have a copy of my prescription?

• You won’t break any laws, but the company is selling you a prescription device as if it were an over-the-counter device. In legal terms, this misbrands the device. Often, the company will say that they will check back with your doctor to confirm the prescription and expiration date; however, that may not always happen.
• Some Internet sites will allow you to fill out a chart with the ordering information about your contact lenses and ask you to fill in your doctor’s name and phone number. The site may or may not ask for an actual copy of your prescription, but they should comply with applicable State law concerning contact lens prescription verification.
• Since individual states have different licensing requirements for optical dispensers, enforcement of prescription device sales has usually been left to State authorities.

What harm can be done if I don’t have regular check-ups with my doctor or I order lenses without a valid prescription?

• At your check-up, your eye doctor will re-evaluate the fit of your contact lenses and observe any changes in your cornea caused by your lenses. You will benefit by having a correct, current prescription and you may avoid serious problems, especially if you wear your lenses on an extended or overnight schedule.
• Though infections of the cornea are rare, severe cases can cause loss of vision and even blindness. During regularly scheduled visits, your eye doctor looks for irregularities that, if left untreated, may lead to severe problems. These irregularities often have no symptoms and you may be totally unaware of them.
• Contact lens wear causes many changes to cells and tissues of the eye, and sometimes wearing contact lenses can damage the cornea (the clear window of the eye). Even if you are currently experiencing no problems, the lenses may be causing damage to your eyes. Regular check-ups will reduce the likelihood of damage going undetected.
• Contact lenses that are not properly fitted by an eye doctor might not work well, or even worse, may harm your eyes.
  Ask your eye doctor how often to have a check-up.

This FAQs on buying contact lens are quoted from www.fda.gov, if you would like to learn them details, please visit their site, you maybe learn how to get discount contact lens.

Discount Contact Lenses - The Difference is Clear!

When we are young, clear vision can be one of nature’s greatest gifts as well as the one we take most for granted. As we enter our teenage years, many of us will require glasses or contact lenses for visual aid. Where glasses can seem unsightly, discount contact lenses, conveniently available online, can deliver the solution.

With a rising consumer demand and technological advancements bringing costs down, discount contacts have become more affordable than ever before. Mydiscountlenses.com was developed to guide you through the selection of:

• Discount Contacts
• Name Brand Lenses
• Specialty Lenses
• Colored Contacts
• Contact Lens Accessories

As the digital marketplace continues to expand, discounted contact lenses have become increasingly available. The days of placing special orders with ophthalmologists are long behind us, replaced with an easier, more convenient way to see clearly. Not only is purchasing your lenses online often less expensive, but it adds the benefit of home delivery to our already over-scheduled lives.

Purchasing discount contact lenses does not mean sacrificing quality, as most online retailers stock an array of popular name brands. The in-store variety typically exceeds that of your local ophthalmologist, from rigid to soft and disposable discount contact lenses. Specialty lenses such as bifocal or multi-focal contacts are readily available, in addition to an assortment of colored contacts from which to select.

Many sites specializing in discount contacts also carry an assortment of contact lens accessories, providing you the added convenience of one-stop shopping. Different varieties of contact lenses carry unique maintenance and cleansing needs, and sites like 1 800 Contacts and Coastal Contacts offer all the tools you’ll need to properly care for your investment.

With their generous inventories, attention to customer service, and the convenience of Internet shopping, online discount contacts dealers are changing the way America buys lenses.

Please visit MyDiscountLenses.com to learn more latest news on discount contact lens.