Zenni Optical is expanding its services to include a new contact lens ordering system for select brands of lenses—as well as previewing a new online eyecare practitioner (ECP) locator.
First up: Give me a refresh on Zenni.
Originally launched in 2003, the San Francisco, California-based online eyewear company provides cost-efficient and accessible prescription eyewear.
The company manufactures each prescription lens in-house and offers prescription glasses, including Transitions lenses, blue light glasses, designer brands, and polarized/prescription sunglasses.
The cost: Starting at $6.95 up to $100+.
Now let’s talk contact lenses.
Earlier this month, the company announced it will now offer contact lenses from top manufacturers—starting with CooperVision and Bausch + Lomb.
Lenses range from daily, bi-weekly, and monthly options.
Which brands, specifically?
As of now, the following:
- CooperVision
- Biofinity
- Proclear
- Multifocal XR
- Toric for Astigmatism
- Toric XR for Astigmatism
- MyDay
- Multifocal
- Toric
- Clariti 1 day
- Toric
- Multifocal
- Bausch + Lomb
What kind of packaging do they come in?
Lenses are available in 30-day and 90-day packaging.
Do customers need a prescription to order?
Indeed they do. Zenni requires a valid, unexpired prescription to purchase any of its available lenses—including colored lenses without any vision correction.
The logical reason: To ensure patients receive the correct contact lens type with a proper fit for their eyes.
What if they don’t have a copy of their prescription?
No worries! (At first, that is.) According to Zenni, they can still order their contact lenses.
- The patient’s job: In order for Zenni to verify their prescription, a patient can add in their ECP or clinic’s name, city, and state.
- Zenni’s job: They’ll verify the prescription within two business days—and notify the patient via email once that verification is processed.
Can customers subscribe to regular contact lens ordering?
Not yet, but Zenni has noted that subscriptions will be available in the near future.
As a bonus: Subscriptions will reportedly include “significant savings” for customers vs individual box purchases.
And the cost?
No word on subscription costs, but the contact lenses range from $26.39 (plus tax) to $154.39 (plus tax), depending on supply count and brand.
Special note: First-time customers ordering contact lenses will receive 20% off their first order as well as free shipping.
Let’s talk about purchase options.
The following forms for payment are permitted:
- Health savings account (HSA)
- Flexible spending account (FSA)
- HSA/FSA debit cards
- Vision insurance
Note: For HSA/FSA, customers can download their receipt containing all the info required to submit claims based on the order tracking page (once the lenses ship).
Speaking of shipping …
Zenni will ship to anywhere within the United States (plus its territories)—but only after a customer’s prescription is verified.
For estimated delivery times, see here.
And can lenses be returned?
As long as they’re returned within 14 days of receipt—in their original, unopened packaging—yes.
Gotcha. Anything else to know?
One more update! According to reports, Zenni is launching a new ECP locator feature on its website: Zenni Business.
Global Chief Technology Officer and General Manager David Ting stated that the feature will be geared toward helping “customers locate nearby eyecare professionals for prescriptions and other medical needs prior to purchasing eyewear.”
Any timeline for that?
Not so far … but stay tuned; we’ll keep you posted.