Did you know that only about 16% of Americans and 9.2% of Canadians wear any type of contact lens, even though over 50% of refractive errors like myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia, could potentially be corrected with them?
So… if more than half of your patients could wear contact lenses, why don’t they?
It all comes down to marketing and selling. If patients don’t know about new options like multifocal lenses, aren’t aware they can order small supplies for sports or events, or simply don’t realize how comfortable and convenient modern lenses are, then we’re missing these opportunities.
Here are 10 tips for marketing and growing your contact lens sales:
- Optimize your website for contact lenses
- Offer online ordering & subscription options
- Use Social Media to Educate (Not Just Promote)
- Run Targeted Digital Ads
- Connect Dry Eye & Contact Lens Options
- Ask Every Patient if They’ve Considered Contacts
- Highlight New Tech in Your Patient Communications
- Send Targeted Email Campaigns
- Answer Common Contact Lens Questions
- Use SEO & Content Marketing to Capture Search Demand
1. Optimize Your Website for Contact Lenses
Your website is the first stop for most patients, so make sure contact lenses are front and center. Create a dedicated page that covers different lens types, common concerns (like dryness or wear time), and why a fitting is important.
Include:
- Patient-friendly language (skip the jargon)
- FAQs about contact lenses
- Clear calls to action to book a fitting or reorder online
- Links to your online store (if you have one)
2. Offer Online Ordering & Subscription Options
Convenience is key. If patients can’t easily reorder contacts through your website or e-commerce portal, they’ll go somewhere else.
Take it one step further: add a subscription option so patients can set it and forget it. Many platforms now support recurring orders, automated reminders, and text notifications. It’s a win for patient retention and recurring revenue.
3. Use Social Media to Educate (Not Just Promote)
Contact lenses aren’t just a product, they’re a lifestyle upgrade. Use Instagram Reels or TikToks to explain benefits like:
- “Contacts for dry eyes? Yes, they exist!”
- “What even are multifocal contacts?”
- “Daily vs. monthly: what’s right for you?”
Don’t be afraid to lean into humor or real-world scenarios. The goal is to meet patients where they are (scrolling), and spark curiosity.
4. Run Targeted Digital Ads
Social and search ads are incredibly powerful when done right. Try campaigns that target:
- Parents of teens (for sports or first-time wearers)
- Adults 40+ (for multifocal options)
- Patients who abandoned their contact lens use (comfort-focused messaging)
Use platforms like Meta Ads Manager and Google Ads to geo-target your local area and tailor your message by demographic.
5. Connect Dry Eye & Contact Lens Options
Comfort is one of the top reasons people quit wearing contacts. But with dry eye treatments becoming more mainstream, you can change that narrative.
Educate patients on how managing dry eye can improve lens comfort. This cross-sell is a perfect opportunity to promote both your dry eye services and contact lens fittings. It’s two revenue streams and one solution.
6. Ask Every Patient if They’ve Considered Contacts
So many patients assume they’re not a candidate for contact lenses until someone tells them otherwise.
A simple, “Have you ever tried contact lenses?” can open the door to a new conversation. Bonus: it can lead to upsells, better patient satisfaction, and more personalized care.
7. Highlight New Tech in Your Patient Communications
Whether it’s silicone hydrogel or water gradient lenses, there’s always something new.
Use your newsletter or email campaigns to spotlight innovations and who they’re great for. (E.g., “Struggling with readers? Try multifocal contacts instead!”)
This is a great way to stay top-of-mind and position your clinic as a go-to for modern solutions.
8. Send Targeted Email Campaigns
Generic email blasts will not be as effective. Use segmentation to personalize your messages:
- Send “Time to Reorder” reminders based on last purchase dates
- Promote new contact lens options to patients 40+
- Re-engage past contact lens wearers with new comfort-focused solutions
Email marketing has one of the best ROIs out there. It’s low-cost, and with the right strategy, can generate high returns.
9. Answer Common Contact Lens Questions
Patients often have concerns or misconceptions that stop them from considering contact lenses. Make sure to have an FAQs page on your website, or create engaging posts answering these FAQs on your social media.
Some content ideas:
- “Contacts vs. Glasses: What’s Best for Me?”
- “How to Easily Put in Contact Lenses”
- “What You Didn’t Know About Multifocal Contacts”
This type of content not only boosts education, it also positions your clinic as a go-to for modern, approachable eye care.
10. Use SEO & Content Marketing to Capture Search Demand
When someone Googles “best contact lenses for dry eyes” or “contacts near me,” you want to be the result that shows up.
How to make it happen:
- Add educational blog posts to your website
- Include lens brand names in your copy
- Write content that answers real questions patients are searching for
This is a long-game strategy, but it pays off with stronger visibility and organic traffic over time.
Increase Your Contact Lens Sales with Smarter Marketing
If you’re not talking about contact lenses consistently online, in-person, and through your marketing, someone else will. With the right tools, platforms, and messaging, you can turn contact lenses into a steady revenue stream that supports your practice and delights your patients.Need help with your contact lens marketing strategy? The team at Marketing4ECPs is here to help. Let’s make contact lenses a bigger part of your business. Contact us today!
