EYEWEAR BASICS

Selling contact lenses in an optical shop: stock, reorders and care advice

Published 7 October 2026 · 1 min read · By Anjali Yadav

Three pairs of metal eyeglass frames displayed on cream blocks

Contact lenses are one of the most regular repeat purchases in an optical shop. A customer on monthly lenses needs a fresh supply again and again, and the shop that reminds them on time usually gets the sale.

Types of contact lenses

Type	Replaced	Notes
Daily disposable	Every day	Most hygienic and simplest; higher cost per year.
Fortnightly / monthly	Every 2 weeks or month	Popular value choice; needs solution and a case.
Toric	Varies	Corrects astigmatism; needs CYL and AXIS.
Coloured / cosmetic	Varies	Should still be fitted properly, even without power.

Contact lenses should be fitted by a qualified optometrist or eye doctor. A spectacle prescription is not a contact lens prescription.

What to stock

The most common powers in one or two monthly brands you trust.
Multipurpose solution in large and travel sizes, and spare cases.
Order daily, toric and unusual powers per customer.
Check expiry dates when you count stock and sell the oldest first.

Care advice to give every customer

Wash and dry hands before touching lenses.
Use fresh solution every time; never top up old solution.
Never rinse lenses or the case with tap water, and never use saliva.
Replace lenses on schedule, and replace the case regularly.
Don't sleep in lenses unless your eye doctor has approved it.
Remove the lenses and see an eye doctor if your eye is red, painful or your vision changes.

Keeping reorders at your counter

Note the brand, power and replacement schedule on every contact lens bill, and send a reminder a few days before the supply runs out. A message like "Your lenses should be running low; reply YES and we'll keep a fresh box ready" is often all it takes. Opticdigit schedules contact lens reorder reminders automatically from the bill.