Choosing the right place to buy contact lenses in Brampton can feel overwhelming, especially with so many options available. 

In 2024, the average volume per person in the contact lenses market in Canada is expected to reach 1.7 pieces. The challenge? 

“Not all providers are created equal, and picking the wrong one could cost you more than just money—it could impact your eye health too,” says Parm Dhillon, Founder of Image Optical.

Danger of Buying Cheap Contact Lenses in Brampton

Contact lens use is growing rapidly. For many, they are a more comfortable, less obtrusive option to correct vision. That said, contact lenses are, to an extent, a temporary device. New and existing wearers alike try to find cost-effective contact lenses to reduce their annual expense on lenses. However, looking for cheap contact lenses comes with its risks. 

Opting for the cheapest option or purchasing from a disreputable source can have serious consequences. A study involving 3,803 Japanese women found that the frequency of adverse events related to contact lens use was alarmingly high—33.4% for transparent lenses and 35.7% for cosmetic lenses. 

What’s even more concerning is that many of these complications were linked to preventable behaviours, such as purchasing lenses from untrustworthy sources, not following proper hygiene procedures, and wearing lenses for longer than recommended.

The study highlighted that buying contact lenses from physical shops or online stores that don’t prioritize quality can increase the risk of eye infections, irritation, and even more severe complications. 

What’s more, the lack of education on appropriate contact lens use means people can fall into unhealthy behaviours.

5 Best Places to Buy Affordable Contact Lenses in Brampton

Trying to reduce your outlay on contact lenses makes financial sense, but beware the trap of the cheap contact lenses. The adage “you don’t get what you don’t pay for” holds true when it comes to shopping contact lenses.

Here’s a ranked list of the best places to buy contact lenses in Canada, starting with those that provide the highest quality and selection.

1. Your Local Optometrist is the Best Place for Affordable Contact Lenses

Optometrists are your best bet when it comes to quality contact lenses. Yes, you may not get the lowest outright price, but you will receive the most value. 

They offer the widest selection, including affordable, premium, specialty and custom lenses. Not only that, you can get an eye exam without out of pocket expenses (oftentimes covered by insurance or OHIP). Moreover, some insurance providers will not cover the cost of prescription contact lenses in Brampton without an optometrist’s prescription.

2. Independent Optical Stores

Independent optical stores usually provide a broad range of quality lenses and offer a level of personalized care that big-box retailers and online stores can’t match. They often carry unique brands, potentially giving you more options to choose from.

Some also have optometrists in the store, making it easier for people to test and buy their contacts.

If you’re in Brampton, Ontario, try out Image Optical. We prioritize patient comfort and safety during the exam and fitting process to find their ideal vision correction solution.

3. Pharmacies 

Pharmacies, such as Shoppers Drug Mart and Rexall, offer a small selection of popular lens brands with reliable quality. While they may not have the extensive range of an optometrist or independent optical store, they provide a good balance between quality and convenience.

You likely have a pharmacy near you, too, making it easy to get to for last-minute purchases.

That said, the convenience comes at a cost–price. Not only is their selection limited, you will face some of the highest prices of all options here.

4. Big-Box Retailers

Retailers such as Costco and Walmart offer decent reasonable quality lenses. However, their selection is typically even more limited, focusing on in-house or exclusive brands. 

If their exclusive brand is something you are satisfied with, you can get a reasonable deal on affordable contact lenses. However, you will miss out on eye exam and a larger selection of contact lenses (perhaps some that fit better or are just of a higher quality).

5. Online Retailers

Online retailers have become all the rage recently. They offer the convenience of shopping from home and a vast selection of lenses at some of the lowest prices you can find. However, the quality can be inconsistent between different online stores; sometimes the quality can vary between lenses from the same online store! 

There is another risk you’re taking–the lenses may not meet Canadian safety standards because they’ve been imported without adequate checks and clearances. Note also that many insurance providers do not offer direct billing for online stores. Moreover, without a local optometrist’s prescription, your claim for contact lenses may be declined as well.

Did You Know We’re Open Till After 5 P.M.? That means you don’t need to interrupt a busy work day to get an eye test or exam  [Find a Convenient Time Online] [Call us]

Whatever Option You Choose, Visit an Optometrist Near You First

Many of us take vision and eye health for granted, but it’s when something goes wrong that we realize how delicate our eyes are. It’s why it’s vitally important for you to have your eyes tested by a qualified optometrist routinely if you are using contact lenses in Brampton.

Optometrists don’t just perform an optical eye exam, they perform a comprehensive eye exam, which can even help inform of other ailments you may be experiencing. Just as important is the education and practical tips you can receive. Our optometrist, for instance, will guide you on how best to use contact lenses, when to replace them, what signs of eye fatigue to watch for, and more.

Schedule your eye exam with an optometrist near you. We also offer online shopping, allow you to re-order affordable and quality contact lenses in Brampton effortlessly.