If you spend about $400 a year on contact lenses, you can cut this expense in half if you avail of free contact lenses. You just need to know where to look – both online and offline.
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Note that because the FDA classifies contact lenses as medical devices, many of the resources below would require you to have a prescription. Serious eye health problems may occur as a result of sharing contact lenses or using them without a prescription.
Where to Find Free Contact Lenses
The following stores offer free contact lenses, but you have to visit the eye care specialist partner nearest to you.
Most of the time, a pair of contact lenses and an eye exam are both free, as long as you have a certificate printed out and ready at the in-store clinics. In some cases, you might need to pay for the exam, but a lot of doctors will give you some trial contacts to let you test them out.
1. Bausch
If you’re nearsighted or farsighted, you can get a free month’s trial of Bausch + Lomb INFUSE contact lenses.
You need to fill out this form. Wait for a certificate and a list of local eye care professionals near you.
- Schedule your eye clinic visit.
- Get an eye exam (you might need to pay for this).
- Once your eye grade has been confirmed, you’ll receive one pair of Bausch + Lomb INFUSE contact lenses free of charge.
This is valid for Canada and US locations.
2. Dailies Colors Contact Lenses
Get a colored pair of contact lenses for free.
You have to register through the EyeFile™ System first to obtain free membership and the free* In-Office Trial Offer that comes with it.
Once you have a prescription, the doctor will give you free* 5-day trial of DAILIES® COLORS contact lenses.
3. Waldo
Register for a free trial (this means 10 pairs of free contact lenses), but you have to shoulder the shipping cost of $2.95.
Still a good deal for 10 free pairs, right?
And once your initial trial runs out, you can continue your account on a subscription basis.
Waldo can deliver a box of 30 lenses for just $21. This comes with free delivery, too!
4. Precision 1 (for Astigmatism)
To get your new Precision1 contact lenses for free without committing to a long-term subscription, you need to create your MyAlcon account.
- Fill out the form as accurately as you can.
- Download your voucher.
- Bring the voucher to your doctor to get your free trial of contact lenses.
Because astigmatism can only be confirmed with an eye exam, there’s a big chance the doctor would require one (so prepare to shoulder professional fees).
Inquire before participating in the promo if you’re worried about fees.
5. Coopervision
This company has several contact lens brands you can choose from, depending on what type of vision problem you have.
Coopervision has contact lenses that correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, or presbyopia.
Fill up the form to get an e-coupon for a free pair of contact lenses.
You’ll be able to redeem it with participating eye care practitioners in the US.
6. Acuvue
Fill out the form posted here, download your certificate and bring it to the nearest Eye Doctor partner of Acuvue.
It's a giant box of free samples and it comes right to your door at no cost.
Click here and get yours.
Visit the doctor during your appointment.
Note that Acuvue has several different brands under one umbrella. Some are designed for astigmatism, others as multifocal.
The eye doctor will get you fitted for a free pair of contact lenses most appropriate for your condition.
7. BioTrue One Day Lenses
If you’re not a fan of how dry your eyes feel with contact lenses, the Biotrue ONEDay promises of keeping your eyes moist for up to 16 hours.
This brand is a subsidiary of Bausch + Lomb.
Fill in the form to get a coupon sent to your inbox. A pair of these lenses are free if you have your prescription ready, or you may have to pay for your eye exam.
8. Hubble Contacts
The offer Hubble Contacts is giving isn’t actually free.
But for only $1 (plus $ the shipping cost), you get 15 pairs of Hubble Lenses as your first shipment.
This is a subscription-based contact lens company. So if you’re not planning to get another shipment in the future, make sure you know how to cancel your subscription.
9. Scout by Warby Parker
Scout is a comfortable, breathable, and affordable daily contact lens that comes in an innovative, space-saving flat pack.
If you want to try the brand out, you’ll need to have a contact lens prescription on hand (you have to submit it).
Once Scout by Warby Parker verifies your prescription, you’ll be sent a trial pack that includes six days’ worth of contacts.
10. Next Day Contacts
If you already have a favorite brand and type of contact lens, you should check out this store.
Next Day Contacts carry several contact lens brands in their store, including:
- Air Optix
- Aviara
- Biofinity
- Biomedics
- Clariti
- Extreme H20
- Focus
- Fresh Look ColorBlends
- Infuse
- Proclear
- PureVision
- SofLens
- TORIColors
- Total30
- Ultra
For new customers, all you need to do is sign up, enter your prescription details and get your first box free delivered to your home.
11. AchroLenses
Unlike other contact lenses on this list, AchroLenses cater to a very specific market – people suffering from Achromatopsia.
AchroLenses is giving away free trials to determine how well their products work well and provide significant improvement of vision ability to people with Achromatopsia.
As such, they do not just give away the lenses to everyone. They reserve the right not to send the free products to all people who apply for them.
However, you might be given free contacts after answering a questionnaire and the company deems your application perfect.
12. Air Optix
Sign up for the EyeFile™ System today and get a free trial of AIR OPTIX® brand contact lenses. This includes 1 pair of non-corrective AIR OPTIX® COLORS contact lenses for wear in-office only.
Joining the EyeFile™ System is definitely recommended, especially if you’re going to be using contact lenses for the long run.
The EyeFile™ System gives you regular reminders about replacing and ordering contact lenses, finding eye care professionals near you, and managing eye care appointments.
The EyeFile™ System also sends personalized free contact lenses offers, trial certifications and other exclusive deals.
Getting Contact Lenses Samples from Your Eye Doctor
If you don’t have time to try out all the sites above, the easiest way to get a free pair of lenses is to go to your eye doctor.
In most cases, you’ll have an eye exam that takes about 30 minutes. After the exam, you’ll be given lens options depending on your prescription.
During this time, you can discuss if you plan to wear them every day, or just for specific activities, such as reading. Once the eye doctor explains how to use and take care of the contact lenses, you’ll be given a free trial.
- A good example of this is Boots. The form can be pretty comprehensive, but it’s worth it because the trial consists of either up to 5 pairs of daily disposable lenses or a month’s supply of selected reusable lenses.
- Target Optical, for example, gives free eye exams in one of their stores. If you’re switching from glasses to contact lenses, you can find extremely discounted products for your first box. If you’re lucky, you can even get your first few pairs absolutely free.
Note that in most cases, you’ll have to book a follow-up appointment to replace your current contact lenses, or get a new batch.
Alternatives to Free Contact Lenses
You can also send an email to manufacturers directly to try out free contact lenses. This is always a good idea, even if there are no existing promotions available. Note that Acuvue and Bausch are two of the most generous brands out there in the market.
Going to the eye doctor would work better if you don’t have a prescription yet (or if you need to update your eye test results). If you’re trying to get samples from manufacturers, you should prepare copies of your prescription when filling out trial requests.
If you’re not a fan of contact lenses, but definitely help with your eyesight, this list of 6 Legit Ways to Score Free Sunglasses could help you out instead.
Aside from contact lenses, you can also get other free samples for your dresser like perfume, cologne, or makeup. Or save up on monthly grocery expenses by taking advantage of free feminine hygiene products, free tampons, free sunscreen, free deodorant, free toothpaste, and even free condoms.
