Many people with less than perfect vision will be glad to know that discount contact lenses are freely available and ordering them is quick and easy.

These two small transparent, round little discs have an interesting history. It is said Leonardo da Vinci may have described and sketched them 300 years before the first pair was sold. The inventor of the soft contact lenses that are popular today was Otto Wuchterle, a Czech chemist and Drohoslav Lim, his assistant who also developed the gel used in manufacturing them.

An estimated 125 million people worldwide use contact lenses. People wear them for many reasons. Firstly, they are invisible and do not change your appearance or limit your field of vision as glasses do. In rainy weather, they stay clear as drops do not collect on them and steam does not affect them either. There are also some eye conditions that cannot be effectively corrected by wearing glasses.

The first material used in their manufacture was glass. This had the disadvantage that it irritated the eye making it impossible to wear them for long periods. Then an American optometrist William Feinbloom made the so called hard lenses from PMMA, better known as Perspex or Plexiglas. It was a step in the right direction, but still not ideal because this material prevents oxygen from reaching the cornea of the eye. Without oxygen some eye conditions may develop.

When Wuchterle and Lim used hydrogel in the 1960 a new era dawned. Since then the material was refined to make the end product comfortable and safe. Today some soft lenses have a faint blue tint so that they are easier to see. Coloring can also be added to change the eye\’s appearance for cosmetic reasons. They can also be treated to limit the risk of UV damage to the eye.

If you want to buy a pair you need to have an eye examination and get a lens prescription. The one for that pair of glasses that you may want to replace, will not do. To get them at the best price, shop around. You can order them online, by telephone or by mail. The discount contact lenses should not cost you nearly as much as those supplied by your local optometrist. Remember to budget for the shipping and insurance costs.

When ordering online, you can choose from a variety of brands, colors and designs. The fact that you are buying a discounted product does not mean that the quality is inferior. Suppliers able to offer discount prices are usually those who buy in bulk from manufacturers and can afford to cut the price. Mostly their products are of the same quality as the more expensive ones carrying a brand name.

To get the best deal, shop around and check supplier credentials. The online world can be dangerous one. If a supplier does not allow you to ask questions before you buy, or his contact details look suspicious, stay away. Search the net for independent opinions.

The advantages of discount contact lenses are clear to see.It is now more affordable than ever to see well and still look as good as ever. There are many places to find them on the net. Make sure you choose well.

Author Bio: Looking for Acuvue Oasys for astigmastism contacts? Then shop online for massive savings on Acuvue 2 contacts and other types of contacts when compared to retail prices.

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