You popped your last contact lens this morning. Or maybe your subscription ran out, your dog ate your glasses, or you're heading out of town in two days and realized you're out. Whatever the reason — you need contacts, and you need them fast.
The good news: you don't have to wait two weeks for an online order to show up. Here's a practical guide to getting contact lenses as quickly as possible in Nashville — including what actually works and what slows people down.
This is the step that trips most people up. Contact lens prescriptions in Tennessee expire after one year, and they're separate from your glasses prescription — they include additional measurements like base curve and diameter that glasses prescriptions don't have.
Before you do anything else, check your prescription. Look for the expiration date and confirm it includes a brand name or lens specifications. If it's expired, you'll need an updated exam before anyone can legally fill your order — online retailers included.
What to do if your prescription is expired: Book a contact lens exam. At Elite Eyecare Nashville, we can usually get you in quickly, and the exam itself takes about 30 minutes. Dr. Lipe will evaluate the fit, curvature, and health of your eyes — not just your vision — and make sure you're in the right lens for long-term comfort. You'll leave with a fresh prescription and trial lenses the same day.
This is where most people cost themselves time without realizing it. Online contact lens retailers are convenient when you're planning ahead, but they're slow when you're in a pinch. Standard shipping from major online sellers typically runs 7–14 business days. Expedited shipping gets it down, but you're still looking at 2–5 days — and that's after they verify your prescription, which adds another step.
When you order through a local eye clinic that orders direct from the manufacturer, you cut out that entire layer. At Elite Eyecare Nashville, we place orders directly through our suppliers, which means most orders arrive in 24–48 hours — sometimes faster.
We carry all the major brands: Acuvue, Dailies, Biofinity, CooperVision, Bausch + Lomb, and more. If you already know what you wear, just send us your prescription and we'll get the order placed right away.
If you're an existing patient with a valid prescription and just need something to get you through the next day or two, swing by the office. We keep trial lenses in stock and can set you up with pairs to hold you over while your order arrives. It's a quick stop — no appointment needed for that.
If you're a new patient or your prescription has expired, the contact lens exam is the first step — but you'll still walk out with trials the same day.
Yes. Text a photo of your prescription to (615) 249-4926 and we'll take it from there. Our number receives photos, so that's the fastest way to get an order started without coming in.
Your prescription should have the brand or lens name on it. If not, call us at (615) 249-4926 and we can help you figure it out based on your prescription specs. In some cases we'll recommend a comparable lens if your exact brand has a long lead time.
Yes. We accept most major vision plans including VSP, Eyemed, Davis Vision, Superior Vision, Spectera, and UHC SHIP. If you're not sure whether your plan covers contact lenses, give us a call and we'll check your benefits before placing the order.
Unlike glasses — where we can cut lenses in-office the same day — contact lenses are ordered directly from the manufacturer and can't be made on-site. That said, 24–48 hours is our typical turnaround, which is significantly faster than most online retailers. And again, if you need something to wear today, trial lenses can bridge that gap.
If you have a valid contact lens prescription, here's all you need to do:
Or call us at (615) 249-4926 if you'd rather talk it through. We're located at 5300 Centennial Blvd Suite 107, Nashville, TN 37209 — free parking on-site.
