How to Upload a Contact Lens Prescription Online
Can I upload a photo from my phone?
What if I only have a screenshot?
Do I need the original prescription?
Can I use my glasses prescription instead?
What happens if I can't find my prescription at all?
Will uploading my prescription delay my order?
At Blue Planet Optics, we help customers through this process every day. The good news is that uploading your prescription is usually much easier than people expect.
In most cases, all you need is a clear photo, screenshot, PDF, or scanned copy of your valid contact lens prescription. Most customers complete the upload in less than a minute.
If you've never ordered contact lenses online before, here's exactly how the process works.
Why Do I Need a Contact Lens Prescription to Order Online?
Contact lenses are medical devices. Because of that, online contact lens retailers like Blue Planet Optics are legally required to verify that customers have a valid contact lens prescription before an order can be shipped.
This isn't unique to Blue Planet Optics. It's a federal requirement that applies to all legitimate contact lens retailers.
The goal is to make sure you're ordering contact lenses that were properly fitted and prescribed for your eyes. Even if you've worn the same lenses for years and know your prescription by heart, a valid prescription is still required before your order can be processed.
What Counts as a Valid Contact Lens Prescription?
Your eye doctor usually provides a valid contact lens prescription after a contact lens exam and fitting.
Depending on the type of lenses you wear, your prescription may include information such as:
- Lens brand
- Power (SPH)
- Base Curve (BC)
- Diameter (DIA)
- Cylinder (CYL)
- Axis
- Add Power for multifocal lenses
- Prescription expiration date
- Your eye doctor's information
One of the most common questions we receive at Blue Planet Optics is whether a glasses prescription can be used to order contact lenses.
Unfortunately, the answer is usually no.
While glasses and contact lens prescriptions often contain similar power measurements, contact lens prescriptions include additional information that helps determine how the lenses fit on your eyes. Because of this, you'll generally need a separate contact lens prescription to purchase contact lenses online.
What Types of Prescription Files Can I Upload?
As long as the information is clear and readable, these formats are typically acceptable.
- A photo uploaded from your phone's camera roll
- A screenshot from your eye doctor's patient portal
- A PDF from your eye doctor's office
- A scanned copy of your prescription
In fact, a smartphone photo is the most common option.
If you're taking a picture of your prescription, try placing it on a flat surface in good lighting so all of the information is visible. This helps prevent delays caused by blurry images, shadows, or missing information.
How Can I Provide My Prescription to Blue Planet Optics?
At Blue Planet Optics, we try to make prescription verification as simple as possible.
If you already have a copy of your valid contact lens prescription, uploading it before placing your order is usually the fastest option. Most customers upload a photo from their phone, a screenshot from their doctor's patient portal, a PDF, or a scanned copy of their prescription.
However, uploading your prescription isn't the only option.
If you'd prefer, you can also email your prescription to our team after placing your order. As long as we receive a valid prescription before your order is processed, we'll be able to verify your information and move your order forward.
If you don't have a copy of your prescription available, you can provide your eye doctor's information during checkout, and Blue Planet Optics can contact your doctor's office to verify your prescription on your behalf.
No matter which option you choose, our goal is to make the process as easy and straightforward as possible.
While all of these methods work, uploading a clear copy of your prescription before placing your order is typically the quickest way to complete verification.
What If I Don't Have a Copy of My Prescription?
Don't worry. This is extremely common.
Many contact lens wearers know their prescription is current, but can't immediately find a copy of the actual document.
If that sounds familiar, your first option is to check whether your eye doctor provides access to prescriptions through an online patient portal. Many offices can also email or text a copy of your prescription if you contact them directly.
If you'd rather not track it down yourself, Blue Planet Optics can often verify your prescription directly with your eye doctor's office. Simply provide your doctor's information when placing your order, and we'll begin the verification process.
Many customers are surprised to learn that they don't necessarily need to have a physical copy of their prescription in hand before ordering contact lenses online.
That said, if you do have access to a photo, screenshot, PDF, or scanned copy of your prescription, submitting it during the order process is usually the fastest way to get your order verified and shipped out.
If your prescription has expired, you'll need to schedule a new contact lens exam before additional contact lenses can be ordered.
Can I Upload a Picture From My Phone?
Absolutely.
Most Blue Planet Optics customers upload a photo taken directly from their smartphone.
As long as the image is clear, in focus, well-lit, and shows the entire prescription, a phone photo is usually perfectly acceptable.
Many customers are surprised by how simple the process actually is.
Can I Upload a Screenshot of My Prescription?
Yes.
Screenshots are another common way customers upload their prescriptions, especially when accessing documents through a patient portal.
As long as all of the prescription information is visible and easy to read, screenshots are generally accepted.
The same is true for PDFs and scanned copies.
What Happens After I Upload My Prescription?
Once everything has been verified, your order can move forward for processing.
At Blue Planet Optics, uploading your prescription during checkout is often the fastest way to complete verification and avoid unnecessary delays.
Will Uploading My Prescription Speed Up My Order?
Usually, yes.
There are multiple ways contact lens prescriptions can be verified, but providing a clear copy of your prescription upfront often helps simplify the process.
If you're looking for the fastest possible turnaround time, uploading a photo or PDF during checkout is typically your best option.
Once your prescription is verified, most Blue Planet Optics orders arrive within 3–5 business days.
What If My Prescription Has Expired?
If your prescription has expired, you'll generally need to schedule a new contact lens exam before ordering additional lenses.
Contact lens prescriptions expire because your vision and eye health can change over time. Even if your prescription feels exactly the same, regular exams help ensure your lenses are still fitting properly and safely.
If you're unsure whether your prescription is still valid, it's worth checking the expiration date before placing your order.
Common Prescription Upload Mistakes
Most prescription issues are easy to avoid.
The most common problems we see at Blue Planet Optics include blurry photos, screenshots that cut off some of the needed information, expired prescriptions, ordering a different lens brand than the one prescribed, or accidentally entering prescription numbers incorrectly during checkout.
If there is an issue with your prescription, our team will reach out before shipping out your lenses to verify the information that we need. Or, if you'd like assistance during the order process, feel free to use the virtual chat located on the bottom right of the web page.
FAQ
Can I upload my prescription after placing my order?
Yes. While uploading your prescription before placing your order is usually the fastest option, you can also email your prescription to Blue Planet Optics after checkout. Your order can be processed once your prescription has been successfully verified.
Can Blue Planet Optics contact my eye doctor for me?
Yes. If you don't have a copy of your prescription, you can provide your eye doctor's information during checkout, and Blue Planet Optics can contact their office to verify your prescription on your behalf.
Can I use an expired contact lens prescription?
No. Federal regulations require a valid contact lens prescription before contact lenses can be shipped. If your prescription has expired, you'll typically need a new contact lens exam before placing an order.
Can I use my glasses prescription to order contact lenses?
Usually not. Contact lens prescriptions contain additional measurements that aren't included on most glasses prescriptions. Because of this, you'll generally need a separate contact lens prescription to purchase contact lenses online.
What file types can I upload?
Most customers upload a photo from their phone, a screenshot from their doctor's patient portal, a PDF, or a scanned copy of their prescription. As long as the information is clear and readable, these formats are typically accepted.
How long does prescription verification take?
Verification times can vary depending on the information provided and the method used to verify your prescription. Uploading a clear copy of your prescription before placing your order is often the fastest option.
What happens if my prescription information doesn't match my order?
If there's a discrepancy between your prescription and the contact lenses you've ordered, the Blue Planet Optics team will reach out to help resolve the issue before your order is processed.
Can I order contact lenses without uploading a prescription?
Yes, in some cases. If you don't have a copy of your prescription available, Blue Planet Optics may be able to verify your prescription directly with your eye doctor's office. However, providing a copy of your prescription yourself is often the quickest option.
How long does shipping take after my prescription is verified?
Once your prescription has been verified, most Blue Planet Optics orders arrive within 3–5 business days.
Do I need the original prescription document?
No. In most cases, a clear photo, screenshot, PDF, or scanned copy of your valid contact lens prescription is all that's needed for verification.