Black Friday and Cyber Monday have become the biggest shopping events of the year, and the 2025 edition is shaping up to be no different. Contact lens wearers can take advantage of deep discounts on supplies, accessories and solutions if they prepare early. 

Below is a comprehensive guide to help you organize your prescriptions, budget your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) funds and snag the best LensDirect deals without stress.

Illustration of a calendar and contact lens boxes with dotted line connections representing Black Friday and Cyber Monday planning.

Why plan early?

The chaos of Black Friday / Cyber Monday can be overwhelming.

Modern line art of a person writing a checklist with floating contact lens and calendar icons connected by dotted lines.

Contact lenses are medical devices that require a valid prescription and careful handling, so you cannot simply throw them in your cart on impulse.

Early planning means your prescription is up to date, your eye doctor approves the lens brand, your FSA/HSA balance is clear and your shopping list matches your needs.

Check your prescription and schedule an exam

Your optometrist will usually set an expiration date on prescriptions; most states require that it be valid for at least one year.

If you have not had an eye exam in the past 12 months, book an appointment soon so you have time to update your prescription.

An eye exam also detects subtle changes in corneal shape or tear film that might affect how your current lenses fit.

Minimalist eye exam scene with an optometrist, patient, eye chart and contact lens icon connected to a prescription card.

Without a valid prescription, retailers cannot legally sell contact lenses.

Verify the lens brand and fit

Illustration of two contact lens packages with icons for comfort and cost, connected by dotted lines for comparison.

During your exam, ask your eye doctor whether your current lens type is still the best option for your vision and lifestyle.

Technological advances such as silicone hydrogel materials or daily disposable lenses may increase comfort, especially if you experience winter dryness.

Switching lens brands may also affect the cost and the rebate offers you qualify for.

Use your FSA or HSA funds wisely

Many employers fund flexible spending accounts or health savings accounts as part of their benefits packages. These tax‑advantaged accounts are a perfect way to pay for contacts, solutions and exams using pre‑tax dollars. According to the IRS, employees can contribute up to $3,300 to a health care FSA for the 2025 plan year; any amounts contributed are excluded from federal income, Social Security and Medicare taxesirs.gov. If an FSA plan allows a carryover, the maximum unused amount that can roll into 2026 increases to $660irs.gov. HealthEquity notes that the 2025 HSA contribution limits increase to $4,300 for self‑only coverage and $8,550 for family coverage.

Line art showing a piggy bank, calendar and contact lens boxes linked to an HSA card to illustrate smart spending.

Confirm eligible expenses

Prescription contact lenses, prescription eyeglasses and even prescription sunglasses are FSA and HSA‑eligible, provided you use them to correct vision.

People can use HSA/FSA funds for prescription glasses and prescription contact lenses for themselves, their spouses or dependents.

FSA funds typically expire at year end, so using them during Black Friday ensures you don’t lose the balance; HSA funds roll over into future years, but tapping them for large purchases like annual contact lens supplies still provides tax benefits.

Calendar and gauge linked to stacks of contact lens boxes to depict budgeting annual supplies.

Check your plan for any grace period or carryover rules.

Align contributions with your shopping list

Calculate how many boxes you will need for a year and estimate your FSA/HSA contribution accordingly. For example, if your lenses cost $30 per month, budgeting $360 plus an extra amount for solutions and backup glasses will help you contribute the right amount during open enrollment. Under FSA rules, you must elect your contribution before the plan year begins, while HSAs allow you to adjust contributions at any time.

Set up or sign into a LensDirect account

Person using a laptop with floating contact lens and notification icons, illustrating account setup for sale alerts.

Signing up for a free account on LensDirect.com gives you access to early promotions and exclusive offers.

Opt into email or text alerts to receive notifications about the company’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals as soon as they go live.

Ensure your prescription information and shipping address are saved in your profile to streamline checkout.

LensDirect Deal Dates, Codes & Exclusions (At-a-Glance)

VIP Early Access (email/SMS subscribers): Nov 18–30, 2025

Code: BVIP25

Discounts: 20% off contacts · 40% off eyewear (glasses & sunglasses) · 40% off lens replacement · 20% off DIY sun lens replacement

Exclusions: accessories, online vision test, clearance frames

Black Friday (sitewide): Nov 26–30, 2025

Code: BLACK25

Discounts: same as VIP (see above)

Exclusions: accessories, online vision test, clearance frames

Cyber Monday (sitewide): Dec 1–2, 2025

Code: CYBER25

Discounts: same as VIP (see above)

Exclusions: accessories, online vision test, clearance frames

Tip: If you’re not on the VIP list yet, subscribe to LensDirect emails/SMS now so you can shop the earliest window (Nov 18) with BVIP25.

Create a shopping list

To prevent impulse buys and avoid missing essentials, draft a shopping list that includes:

  • Your primary contact lenses (brand, power, base curve and diameter).
  • Backup glasses or prescription sunglasses in case you need to give your eyes a rest or travel to environments where contacts aren’t ideal.
  • Rewetting drops and artificial tears. Preservative‑free drops help counter winter dryness and are recommended for contact lens wearers.
  • Lens cases, solutions and accessories. Replace your storage case at least every three months and never reuse or top off old solution
  • Blue‑light filtering glasses or anti‑fatigue lenses for heavy screen use. Glasses can help alleviate digital eye strain when you need to take a break from contacts.
Line art of a shopping cart connected by dotted lines to icons for lenses, glasses and discounts, representing a purchase list.

Timing your purchases

Black Friday deals often start earlier than ever; many retailers roll out discounts during the week leading up to Thanksgiving and extend them into Cyber Monday. Sign up for LensDirect’s newsletters and follow its social media channels to know when early bird offers drop. Some strategies to consider:

Timeline with icons for notifications, discounts and calendar showing strategy for early deals on contact lenses.

Buy for the full year: Contact lenses are consumables; purchasing a year’s supply during sale events ensures you get the maximum discount and reduces the risk of running out mid‑year.

If you are using an FSA, buying a year supply prevents forfeiting unused funds at year end.

Use coupon codes and rebates: LensDirect often pairs manufacturer rebates with its own coupon codes.

Some lens brands provide mail‑in rebates when you buy a six‑ or 12‑month supply.

Combining these offers can produce significant savings.

Coupon and rebate icons connected to contact lens boxes, emphasizing combining offers for maximum savings.
Shipping box with contact lens items linked to discount tags illustrating bundling purchases and environmental benefits.

Bundle shipping: Ordering multiple items together can qualify you for free or discounted shipping and reduce the environmental impact of multiple deliveries.

Protect your health and finances

Verify authenticity and avoid counterfeit products

Always purchase contact lenses from an authorized retailer.

The American Optometric Association warns that decorative or cosmetic lenses bought without a prescription can lead to eye infections or permanent vision damage (aoa.org).

LensDirect sells FDA‑approved lenses and requires a valid prescription, ensuring you receive safe, authentic products.

Two contact lens boxes with shield and warning symbols connected by dotted lines to highlight authentic versus counterfeit products.

Maintain good contact lens hygiene

Central contact lens with icons for washing hands, cleaning lenses, changing cases and not sleeping in contacts linked by dotted lines.

Even during sale season, don’t cut corners on hygiene.

Always wash and dry your hands before touching lenses, avoid sleeping in lenses unless your eye doctor approves and never expose lenses to tap water or saliva to prevent infections like Acanthamoeba keratiti (allaboutvision.com).

Replace your lens case regularly and rub and rinse reusable lenses according to the solution manufacturer’s instructions (aoa.org).

Plan for shipping and supply chain delays

Holiday shopping often strains shipping networks. Place your order early during Black Friday weekend to ensure you receive lenses before the winter holidays. Opt for tracked shipping and keep an eye on your delivery notifications. Consider splitting your order if some items are on backorder; LensDirect usually provides estimated shipping dates during checkout.

Combine Black Friday with year‑end FSA spending

Because FSA funds expire at the end of the plan year, December is a critical time.

Combine your Black Friday purchase with other eye health expenses like eye exams, prescription sunglasses and lens accessories to fully utilize your FSA.

Keep receipts and invoices for tax purposes and to substantiate your FSA or HSA claims.

Person holding a receipt and contact lens boxes with icons for eye exam, glasses and piggy bank illustrating combined year‑end spending.

Your 2025 Black Friday Game Plan, Simplified

Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2025 offer an excellent opportunity to save on your annual supply of contact lenses and accessories. 

Icons of contact lenses, eyeglasses and sunglasses connected to an FSA card, showing qualified vision expenses.

A little prep now pays off in smoother checkout and bigger savings later.

Update your prescription, confirm your FSA/HSA plan, and mark these dates:

VIP (Nov 18–30 • BVIP25) · Black Friday (Nov 26–30 • BLACK25) · Cyber Monday (Dec 1–2 • CYBER25).

Load your cart, apply the right code, and enjoy clear vision (and real savings) all year.

Author

  • Matt O'Haver

    Matt O’Haver brings over a decade of experience in content strategy, UX writing, and digital storytelling to his role as Content Manager at LensDirect. With a background spanning in-house, agency, and freelance work, he specializes in crafting clear, user-centered narratives that engage, inform, and convert.