Can I Sell my Unused/Unopened Contact Lenses?

Girl behind a large eye chart

Question

Is there ANY way I can sell my unused/unopened contact lens leftovers? I checked and eBay prohibits selling them

I now use a higher prescription and different brand so I have seven unopened, unused pairs of Acuvue Hazel contacts lying around the house I can’t use! I already know the whole speech about “medical devices” and such… but I seriously don’t want these to go to waste after I’ve already paid my insurance for them! Any suggestions?

Is there such a thing as a contact lenses buyback?


Answer

[UPDATE:] Unfortunately, it seems the organizations listed here do no take contact lens donations anymore. Please do not contact them. If you know of any places that do take them, please leave a comment below and we’ll update this page.

There are actually a few options available to you. This is great for people who have had LASIK eye surgery. Their eyes are better and they don’t need contacts or glasses, so they want to donate them to people that can use them since they can still be used.

Contact Lens Buy Back / Refund or Resell Unused Prescription Contacts?

We got a hold of people at 1-800-Contacts and here is what they said when we asked if they buy back old contact lenses:

Everything we sell is backed by our 100% satisfaction guarantee. So if your prescription changes we’re happy to take back any unused lenses for an exchange or refund.

If you didn’t purchase the lenses from us, we can still take lenses back for a credit. However, we can only take back lenses that are in unmarked sealed boxes, and have at least 1 year left before they expire. Please just reply with your name, billing address, and phone number and we’ll be happy to let you know how to proceed with returning lenses. We’ll even send you a prepaid shipping label.

Donate Your Unused Contacts

There are places that will take new/unopened contact lenses as donations. Here are some:

Make sure you contact them before you send them in or else follow the instructions they give you. This ensures your used contact lenses go to a place where they will be used. Do not send expired or used contact lenses.

What Do You Think?

Do you have any thoughts on this or other places where contact lenses can be donated? Leave your comments below and share.

Relevant Keywords:

  • https://www helpwithcontactlenses com/what-to-do-with-unused-contacts/
  • sell unused contact lenses
  • donating contact lenses to the military
  • is there any place you can sell unused contact lens to
  • contact lenses prescription changed what to do with stack
  • can sell or donate contacts
  • is it illegal to re-sell contact lenses
  • can i sell contact lenses on ebay
  • what to do with unused contact lenses
  • CAN I DONATE CONTACTS
Tags:
Previous Post
Contact lenses expiration date
Contact Lens Questions

How Many Contact Lenses Come in One Box?

Next Post
Woman with examples of colored contact lenses
Contact Lens Questions

Can I Get Free Colored Contacts Samples With Free Shipping?

Comments

    • Laura Johnson
    • July 16, 2017
    Reply

    I have 4 unopened boxes of contacts my prescription changed due to being diabetic. I did not purchase here am I able to get any money back for them? Expires 2020 for 2 boxes and other 2 expires 2021
    Laura
    319.981.1911

      • Lens Answer Guy
      • July 17, 2017
      Reply

      If they are unopened, you may be able to get a refund. Contact the place you bought them from and find out or else try the option where 1-800-Contacts might give you a credit.

    • Margaret Sanders
    • August 4, 2017
    Reply

    I have 4 unopened boxes of Biofinity Lens by Coopervision that i purchased directly form my doctor. 2 of them are right eye and 2 of them are left. My left eye has changed a bit and I would like to trade in or get credit towards a new order for the 2 boxes for my left eye.

    How can I go about this?

      • Lens Answer Guy
      • August 5, 2017
      Reply

      You should just get in contact with the retailer that sold them to you and see if they will take them back or give you credit. If that doesn’t work, you can always donate them.

    • Huan
    • September 20, 2017
    Reply

    Bought lenses from 1800contacts. But change prescription already. Can I sell it back? Thanks

      • Lens Answer Guy
      • September 26, 2017
      Reply

      Yeah, try contacting 1-800-Contacts to see if they’ll give you a refund or credit or maybe try to donate them.

    • Val Carver
    • September 25, 2017
    Reply

    I have 3 packages of Air Optix contact lenses (6 each at -2.50) unopened, expiration date 11/2018. I don’t need them anymore since I had Lasik. I am wondering where I can send them in for a credit. I purchased them from my local eye clinic.

    Thanks!
    Val Carver

      • Lens Answer Guy
      • September 26, 2017
      Reply

      Try 1-800-Contacts or else try to donate them like our article talks about.

    • Suzanne
    • October 6, 2017
    Reply

    I am trying to donate 4 boxes of Air Optix lenses and have totally bombed out. Goodwill said they don’t know how they ended up on the list- they never have accepted contact lenses. Same with Lion’s Club. Providence and New Eyes refer you to Goodwill and Lion’s. Madre’s only lists eyeglasses on their website and is really only looking for money donations. I also tried Lenscrafters as they are frequently listed for donations. Couldn’t find anyone who had a clue.
    I’m done. Unfortunately they are going in the trash. What a shame.

      • Lens Answer Guy
      • October 6, 2017
      Reply

      Thanks for this information. We’ve removed Goodwill, New Eyes for the Needy and Madre’s Helping Hands from the list.

    • Lindsay
    • October 24, 2017
    Reply

    I tried LensCrafters and they told me they will not accept unused/unopened contacts. Along with Suzanne’s comments, I too tried Goodwill, Lion’s Club and have sent messages to Eyes for the Needy and Madre’s Helping Hands to see if they will. I did not read this area before I sent the messages so I’m assuming it won’t be successful.
    Are there any other options? What about contact lens supplies? (saline solution, lens cases, etc). Does anyone take those?

    • Ellen Hart
    • June 5, 2018
    Reply

    I have 2 unopened boxes of 1day acuvue moist contact lens (30 per box) Exp 6/1/2021
    Can you use them?

      • Lens Answer Guy
      • June 5, 2018
      Reply

      Sorry, we don’t take them. Fewer and fewer places are taking them now, unfortunately.

    • Linda Holsonback
    • June 11, 2018
    Reply

    After calling all four organizations this day to learn that none take contact lenses, I read all the comments. Your answer guy said the four organizations would be removed from the list (your 10-6-17 post.) Please do so and help others avoid wasting their time as so many of us have done.

      • Lens Answer Guy
      • June 11, 2018
      Reply

      Ok, thanks for the note.

    • lisa campbell
    • July 14, 2018
    Reply

    I have twenty-two 30 day supply boxes of Alcon toric dailies. The boxes are unopened and expire 2-2022. I did not purchase them from you, but have purchased from you in the past. Are you able to take the contacs and offer me a credit on future purchases.

      • Lens Answer Guy
      • July 15, 2018
      Reply

      Hi Lisa, we do not sell any contact lenses at all, so it wasn’t from us, sorry.

    • listenandsilent
    • July 4, 2019
    Reply

    Try donating contacts here
    DonateContacts – https://donatecontacts.com

    • RAJESH KUMAR
    • January 31, 2021
    Reply

    I have a contact lens purchased for my father but due to corona cataract operation not done and my father has died on 4th Oct 2020. So now lens is unused which expiry date is July . So now use i want to re-sell it if anyone is needed. Box is sealed along with proper bill.

    • Bob
    • September 2, 2021
    Reply

    I have searched and searched for a place to donate my unused contacts (no longer need after lasik). I can to the realization that NO place will accept them because of this: poor and unfortunate people don’t wear contacts. If they’re in need – they’d get donated GLASSES. Contacts are unfortunately considered a more “luxury” product. So TL,DR: throw your open boxes in the trash.

  1. Reply

    This site states that they will take unexpired sealed contact lenses. If nothing else please recycle them in your local area and or your eye doctor may take them to recycle.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *