How to Order Contacts if a Prescription Expires

The prescription is the written statement that displays your state of vision, and the type of contact lenses you need to correct the problem. Prescriptions for contacts can only be written by an ophthalmologist or optometrist. Since prescriptions can change with time, they often have an expiration date. When a prescription expires, you cannot order your contacts as easily as you could when the prescription was valid. Start the process by calling your eye doctor.

Things You'll Need

• Phone
• Computer

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Instructions

• 1

  Call the ophthalmologist or optometrist immediately. If you are about to order new contacts, and then realize that you cannot because your prescription expired, you will need to make an appointment as soon as possible. When you call the ophthalmologist or optometrist, explain your situation. It may be possible to renew the prescription, but most likely, you will have to make an appointment. By explaining the problem, you may also be able to make the appointment that much sooner.

• 2

  Have your eyes examined. Even if your ophthalmologist or optometrist was able to renew your prescription, you should still have your eyes examined anyway, in case your prescription has changed. If your prescription has changed, you can sample the contacts and determine whether or not the new prescription improves your vision.

• 3

  Order the contacts with the new prescription. If you order your contacts at the ophthalmologist's or optometrist's office, then you can bring the new prescription to the front counter. The receptionist will place your order for you. If you order your contacts on line, then you can input the new information on the website as you place your order. If there is a rush delivery option, you should choose it.

• 4

  Write down the expiration date of the prescription. In order to prevent this situation from happening again, you should keep track of when your contact prescription expires. Put in on your calendar, and a few weeks before this date, order a large supply of contacts, and make an eye appointment.