Contact Lens FAQ

• Common questions
• Shipping, pickup and returns
• Reorders and replacements
• Payments
• Legal notices
• Common terms

Common questions

How do I order contact lenses from the Contact Lens Center online?
You'll find instructions for ordering online in our helpful tutorial.

If you prefer not to register online, see 4 Ways to Order for other options.

How do I read a contact lens prescription?
Each prescriber's prescription form is different, but they all include the same information. It may be helpful to note that each lens measurement falls within a different range of values, so eye care professionals know which value refers to each measurement, even when they are not labeled.

Also see the specific definitions for base curve, diameter, power/sphere, cylinder and axis.

Can I order contact lenses for someone else, such as a child or spouse?
Yes, if you have that person's prescription information, user name and password. Each contact lens customer must have a separate Walgreens.com account and user name. To order contact lenses for another person, please log in using that person's user name and password.

Can my eye care prescriber call the Walgreens Contact Lens Center?
Yes. Your prescriber may either call us toll-free at 866-817-1631 or fax your prescription to us at
866-312-0860.

Can the Walgreens Contact Lens Center customer service representative call my eye care prescriber?
Yes. Please give the representative your prescription information and contact information to help us reach your eye care prescriber.

How does the prescription verification process work?
There are four ways to give us your prescription information:

• Enter your information online
  (To order contact lenses online, you'll need to register and create a Walgreens.com account.)
• Call us toll-free at 866-817-1631
• Complete and mail the printable contact lens order form to:
  Walgreens.com
  8530 South River Parkway
  Tempe, AZ 85284-2516
• Complete and fax the printable contact lens order form to 866-312-0860

After we have your prescription information, we will contact your prescriber to verify your order.

Is Walgreens.com an authorized contact lens retailer?
Yes. Walgreens is authorized by the manufacturers to sell the specific brands and models of lenses listed in our Contact Lens Center. Licensed opticians supervise our order confirmation and fulfillment processes.

Can you ship contact lenses to all states?
Sorry, no. We currently don't ship merchandise to Alaska, Hawaii or Puerto Rico. Additionally, due to state restrictions, we cannot sell contact lenses by mail order in Arkansas or New Jersey.

Can I fax or mail my order form?
Yes. Print out and complete an order form and fax it to 866-312-0860 or mail it to:
Walgreens.com
8530 South River Parkway
Tempe, AZ 85284-2516

How do I track the status of my order?
Log in to your account. Select Store products and contact lenses under Order Status in the left-hand column, or call us toll-free at 866-817-1631.

If you do not have an account, please call Walgreens Contact Lens Customer Service toll-free at 866-817-1631 to check your order status.

Do I need a copy of my prescription to order contact lenses?
No, but you do need to know the exact brand, type and model of your lenses and the exact measurements determined by your eye care provider. Please allow one business day to verify your order.

Can I order any contact lens type as long as it matches the numbers on my prescription?
No, your eye care provider has written your prescription for a specific brand, model and type of lens. We can only fill the exact prescription your provider has given you. (We may, however, substitute identical lenses with a different brand name produced by the same manufacturer.)

My contact lens prescription has expired. Can I still order?
You should see your eye care prescriber for an eye exam each year. You can place a new order once your eye care prescriber writes a new prescription for you.

Can I cancel my order?
If the order has not yet been verified by your prescriber, it may be possible to cancel it by calling Walgreens Contact Lens Customer Service toll-free at 866-817-1631. If the order has been verified and authorized for shipping, however, it cannot be canceled. If you have ordered in-stock lenses, the contact lenses prescription has not expired and you have not opened the package, you may return them. (Made-to-order lenses cannot be returned.) See our return policies for more information.

I want to order color contact lenses for cosmetic reasons. Do I need a prescription?
Yes. To preserve your vision, you should see your eye care prescriber for an exam even if you only want color contact lenses with no correction. We will verify all prescriptions, even those for cosmetic lenses.

Can I purchase one brand of contact lenses if I have a prescription for another?
Sorry, no. We will only fill prescriptions for the exact brand, model and type of contact lens indicated by your prescriber. (We may, however, substitute identical contact lenses with a different brand name produced by the same manufacturer.)

Can I order different contact lens types that have the same parameters?
Sorry, no. We will only fill prescriptions for the exact brand, model and type of contact lens indicated by your prescriber. (We may, however, substitute identical contact lenses with a different brand name produced by the same manufacturer.)

Can I purchase contact lenses and general store merchandise in the same order?
Yes, subject to state shipping restrictions. If your address is in Arkansas or New Jersey, we cannot ship contact lenses to you.

If you order contact lenses and other items in the same shopping cart, only the standard shipping option is available. Contact lenses and general store merchandise will be shipped separately and you will be charged separate shipping fees. See Shipping Information for more details.

Can I order contact lenses for just one eye?
Yes. Enter the prescription information for the appropriate eye, deselect the other eye, then add the lens to your cart.

Can I order one type of contact lens for one eye and a different type for the other?
Yes, if your prescription indicates it. Find the correct lens for the first eye. On the order form, check the box for that eye and enter the prescription information. Add it to your cart.

Then find the correct lens for the second eye. On the order form, check the box for the second eye and enter the prescription information. (You will not be able to enter information for the first eye here.) Add the second lens to your cart.

How do I find out if you carry my brand of contact lenses?
Select the Contact Lenses tab on the Walgreens.com home page. On the Contact Lens Center page, you'll find most major brands listed in the left-hand column. Select your brand to see a list of specific lenses we carry. If you don't see your brand, select Show all brands to see the full list of brands we offer.

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Shipping, pickup and returns

How will I know when my contact lenses have been shipped?
You will receive an e-mail notification. Or you can log in to your account and select Store products and contact lenses under Order Status.

If you do not have an account, please call Walgreens Contact Lens Customer Service toll-free at 866-817-1631 to check your order status.

Can I pick up my contact lenses at my local Walgreens with my other prescriptions?
Sorry, no. Contact lenses are available by mail order only.

How long does it take to process reorders?
If your contact lens prescription is still valid, no verification is required. We will ship your contact lenses as soon as they are available.

What are your contact lens shipping options and rates?
For information about shipping contact lens orders, see our Contact Lens Shipping Policies.

Can contact lenses be returned?
Yes, we will accept returns of any unopened, unexpired and undamaged boxes of in-stock contact lenses in the original packaging sold through Walgreens.com. Made-to-order contact lenses are not returnable.
For contact lenses only: Mail the box(es) of contact lenses in the original packaging to our contact lens return center with the Rreturn label provided. Include the invoice with the product. On the invoice, circle the items(s) you are returning. You will be notified via e-mail once we have received and processed your contact lens return. To return contact lenses, use this address: Walgreens.com, Attn: Contact Lens Return, 4810 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL 60630. Please note: This address is only for returning contact lenses and not other Walgreens.com products.

What are acceptable reasons for returning my contact lenses?
You may return contact lenses if:

• We sent the wrong lenses
• The lenses are damaged or defective
• You ordered an incorrect prescription

How do I return contact lens solutions, accessories, etc.?
For items other than lenses that are sold in the Contact Lens Center, you can take them, along with the original packaging and the invoice to any Walgreens store within 30 days of your purchase. Taxes will be refunded at the local rate. Items without an invoice will be exchanged or refunded by mail within 14 days.

Or you can also follow the return instructions detailed on your order invoice.

I entered incorrect prescription information. What can I do?
If the order has not yet been verified by your prescriber, it may be possible to cancel it by calling Walgreens Contact Lens Customer Service toll-free at 866-817-1631. If the order has been verified and authorized for shipping, however, it cannot be canceled. If you have ordered in-stock contact lenses, the contact lenses prescription has not expired and you have not opened the package, you may return them. (Made-to-order lenses cannot be returned.) See our return policies for more information.

Where can I pick up my contact lenses?
Sorry, contact lenses are not available for pickup. We will mail your lenses to you.

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Reorders and replacements

How do I view my contact lens order history?
Log in to your account. Select the Contact Lenses tab, then Order Status. All your contact lens orders, including reorders, will be listed by date.

Once you register and create a Walgreens.com account, you may then place a contact lens order online. Only orders placed after you create a Walgreens.com account will appear in your online order history.

If you do not have an account, please call Walgreens Contact Lens Customer Service toll-free at 866-817-1631 to check your order history.

How do I reorder a contact lens prescription?
Once you register and create a Walgreens.com account, you may reorder a currently active prescription online.

If you have a contact lens prescription on file with us, log in to your account. Select the Contact Lenses tab, then Order Status. Each contact lens prescription is listed, showing an expiration date.

To reorder an active contact lens prescription, select the button next to that prescription. You will be taken to your cart where you may update the quantity of lenses in your order.

If you do not have an account, please call Walgreens Contact Lens Customer Service toll-free at
866-817-1631 to reorder your contact lens prescription.

What if my contact lens prescription has changed?
To make any changes (such as base curve, diameter or power), you must return to the Contact Lens Center home page and place a new order. We will contact your prescriber for confirmation before processing and shipping your new order.

If you do not have an online account, please call Walgreens Contact Lens Customer Service toll-free at 866-817-1631 to order your contact lens prescription.

What if my contact lens prescription has expired?
To view details of an expired prescription, select the date of that prescription. You will see the complete details for that prescription.

To reorder an expired contact lens prescription, you must re-enter the prescription as if it were new. Return to the Contact Lens Center main page and place a new order. We will contact your prescriber to confirm the prescription. Your prescriber may require you to schedule an appointment for a new examination.

If you do not have an online account, please call Walgreens Contact Lens Customer Service toll-free at 866-817-1631 to order your contact lens prescription.

How do I know if my contact lens prescription is still valid?
Log in to your account. Select the Contact Lenses tab, then Order Status. Each prescription is listed, showing an expiration date. Most contact lens prescriptions expire one year from the exam date given by your eye care prescriber; if one was not provided, the prescription will expire one year from the order date.

If you do not have an account, please call Walgreens Contact Lens Customer Service toll-free at 866-817-1631 to check the expiration date of your prescription.

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Payment

How do I pay with insurance?
Sorry, we do not accept any vision insurance plans at this time. Please contact your insurance provider for information on their reimbursement procedures. If they do provide reimbursements for contact lens purchases, you may submit the invoice included with the order you Receive.

Can I use my Medicare prescription card for contact lenses?
Sorry, not at this time.

How do I take advantage of a special offer on contact lenses?
From time to time, contact lens manufacturers may offer rebates. If such a rebate is available on your lenses, a link to information about the rebate, including instructions for redeeming it, will appear on the product information page.

Special offers from the manufacturer may also appear on the contact lens packaging. Follow the instructions there to redeem the rebate. You may use the invoice sent with your contact lenses as proof of purchase in most cases.

How do I identify FSA-eligible products at Walgreens.com?
All FSA-eligible products are identified by the FSA icon on the product information page. FSA-eligible items in your current order will be identified on the order confirmation page.

How do I get a receipt for my FSA-eligible contact lens purchases?
FSA-eligible products will be identified on the order confirmation page. You may print the page to use as a receipt for claiming your FSA reimbursement.

Will contact lens purchases appear on my FSA report?
Yes.

Will I be charged sales tax on my contact lenses?
Sales tax will be applied to your purchase in accordance with your state's tax regulations. The tax amount will appear on the order confirmation page.

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Legal notices

• Privacy Notice
• Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act

Disclaimer: Walgreen Co. hereby disclaims all warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose for any lenses ordered from us. We also cannot warrant the correctness of any prescription or the advisability of using contact lenses. By using this service, you hereby waive any claim that may arise against Walgreen Co. from your use of this service, or any error or omission on the part of Walgreens' provision of this service.

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Common terms

astigmatism
Astigmatism is a condition in which the cornea of the eye is asymmetrically curved, causing out-of-focus vision.

axis   (Ax)
The axis refers to the location of the astigmatism, and indicates where to locate the cylinder. It is a number between 0 and 180. The axis is only used on prescriptions for toric lenses.

base curve   (BC)
The base curve is the inside of the curve of the center of the lens, which covers the cornea. It determines how the contact lens fits the eye. It is usually a number between 8.0 and 10.0, and is measured in millimeters.

cylinder   (Cyl)
The cylinder is an area of extra power, to correct for astigmatism. It is a number between -0.50 to -3.00. (For contact lenses, it will always be negative.) The cylinder is only used on prescriptions for toric lenses.

diameter   (DIA)
The diameter is the distance from one edge of the lens to the other. It determines how the contact lens will fit in your eye. It is usually a number between 13.6 and 14.8.

eye care prescriber
The eye care prescriber is a professionally qualified person registered to test eyes and conduct other examinations to detect eye diseases and conditions. He or she must also be qualified to correct abnormal vision. An ophthalmologist, optometrist, or a licensed optician are examples of professionally qualified eye care prescribers.

power/sphere   (SPh)
The power refers to the strength of the contact lens. It is shown with a minus sign (-) for myopia (nearsightedness) or a plus sign (+) for hyperopia (farsightedness). It is a number between -0.50 to -20.00 for myopia and +0.50 to +20.00 for hyperopia. The power for each eye may be the same or it may be different. The power for your eyeglass prescription may be different from the power for your contact lens prescription.

toric lenses
Toric lenses are contact lenses designed to correct astigmatism by providing two different optical powers at right angles to each other (one for astigmatism, the other for either myopia or hyperopia).

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