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What was the first online contacts business?

The first online contacts business was 1-800 Contacts, a website founded by Jonathan C. Coon and John F. Nichols in 1995. Coon came up with the idea when he was a student at Brigham Young University, and the rest is history. At first, the company focused solely on contact lenses, but it expanded to include eyeglasses and prescription renewals. 

Although 1-800 Contacts is known for convenience, the company also plays an important role in advocating for consumer rights. For example, company executives have backed bills designed to extend the expiration dates on contact lenses, which would make it more affordable for consumers to correct their vision. 

Today, 1-800 Contacts offers online eye exams and other services to help you take complete control of your eye health. Strap in and learn more about the following products and services: 

  • Contact lenses for astigmatism 

  • Single-vision lenses 

  • Multifocal lenses 

  • Bifocal lenses 

  • Colored contacts 

  • Disposable contacts 

  • Monthly disposables 

  • Virtual eye exams 

  • Lens replacement 

  • Eyeglasses 

How long has 1-800 Contacts been in business? 

1-800 Contacts has been in business for nearly 30 years. Coon was studying advertising and public relations when he came up with the idea for an online contact lens marketplace. At first, he called the website 1-800-LENS-NOW. 

After 3 years of refining his idea, Coon participated in a business plan competition hosted by the Marriott School of Management at BYU. In a way, the success of 1-800-Contacts relied on a little bit of luck, as the Marriott School of Management didn't start its annual business plan competition until 1993. Had Coon attended BYU just a few years earlier, he may not have secured the funds needed to grow his business. 

Fortunately, luck was on his side. Coon won the 1995 competition, giving him the capital needed to grow his initial 1-800-LENS-NOW concept into the 1-800 Contacts you know and love. Since then, the company has added several services to make it even easier to care for your eyes. 

For example, 1-800 Contacts now has its own brand of lenses: AquaSoft Daily. The company also owns Liingo Eyewear, which gives you access to premium eyeglass lenses at an affordable price. As of December 2019, you can even get a virtual eye exam right from the comfort of your own home, increasing access to high-quality vision care. 

What was the first company to market soft lenses in the United States? 

The first company to market soft lenses in the United States was Bausch & Lomb. The company received FDA approval for soft lenses way back in 1971 — way before Gen Z was even a twinkle in anyone's eye. Although soft contacts didn't hit the market until the 1970s, the technology behind them debuted in the 1950s. 

Otto Wichterle — a hero to those who prefer soft contacts over gas-permeable ones — developed polymacon. No, not polybacon, although that would be cool. Polymacon absorbs water, so it can keep your eyes moist for hours on end. It's also soft, making it the perfect material for comfortable contact lenses. 

Once Bausch & Lomb received approval for their soft contacts, it was off to the races. American Optical introduced soft contact lenses in 1973, followed quickly by Hydrocurve, Aquaflex, and Durasoft. Since then, contact lens technology has changed drastically, giving consumers dozens of options for correcting nearsightedness, farsightedness, and other vision issues. 

Find the right pair of lenses for your needs 

Like lens technology, 1-800 Contacts has continued to evolve. We're proud to offer lenses from Bausch & Lomb, CooperVision, and other major brands, making it easy for consumers to address their changing vision needs. Use our website to find your preferred brand of lenses today.