According to a study by The Vision Council, American patients are more likely to use the Internet to shop for contact lenses rather than ophthalmic or sunglass eyewear.

More than a quarter (28.4%) of American consumers used the Internet when purchasing contact lenses, compared to 19.5% for sunglasses, 19.1% for ophthalmic frames and 8% for reading glasses.

However, less than a quarter (24%) of consumers buy directly online. Most use Internet to compare styles, brands and prices and to find a physical point of sale.

In Canada, ophthalmologists and optometrists are concerned about the online purchase of contact lenses, due to the risks involved with certain lenses that are not approved by Health Canada or that do not suit the vision needs of wearers.