Coastal Eyeglasses Revenue Tops $1 Million in July

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Aug. 10, 2009) -

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Coastal Contacts Inc. ("Coastal" or, the "Company") COA announced today that it sold more than $1 million in eyeglasses during the month of July, 2009. In addition, usage of Coastal's revolutionary "Virtual Mirror"technology grew at an incredible rate with more than 150,000 users now having uploaded their digital image in order to "virtually" try on eyeglasses.

"Consumer response to Coastal's eyeglasses offering has been extremely positive," stated Roger Hardy, Coastal's President and CEO. "We launched this category in early 2008 in response to consumer demand for high quality eyewear, delivered quickly at affordable prices. We believe by leveraging our database of over two million vision corrected customers, many of whom also wear eyeglasses, Coastal has a unique competitive advantage in this rapidly growing channel. We believe our success is part of a larger trend in the eyeglasses business, where consumers are moving away from traditional channels, seeking value, efficiency and timely delivery."

Coastal now sells more than 400 styles of eyeglasses on its websites such as our Canadian site: www.ClearlyContacts.ca. Coastal has also recently added a "social shopping" feature to its Virtual Mirror, which allows users to share their images with friends using Facebook, Twitter, blogs or email to solicit opinions and vote on which eyeglasses styles suit them best.

About Coastal Contacts:

Coastal Contacts Inc. (www.coastalcontacts.com) is the world's leading direct-to-consumer vision products company which designs, produces and distributes a diversified offering of contact lenses and eyeglasses. The Company's unique combination of branded and private label products represent quality, value and, above all, service. Coastal Contacts sells its products in more than 150 countries through proprietary web properties, which reflect the culture and consumer preference of the target market. Already #1 in many of its markets, Coastal Contacts is rapidly becoming the "World's Vision Store".

All statements made in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. The words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "goal", "target", "should", "likely", "potential", "continue", "project", "forecast", "prospects", and similar expressions typically are used to identify forward-looking statements. Examples of such forward looking statements within this document include statements relating to: our perception of the contact lens and eyeglasses industry or market and anticipated trends in those markets in any of the countries in which we do business; customer perceptions of and responses to our business and strategy; opportunities presented by our customer database; and the extent to which our business will benefit from consumers seeking lower cost alternatives. Forward-looking statements are based on the then-current expectations, beliefs, assumptions, estimates and forecasts about our business and the industry and markets in which we operate. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are difficult to predict. Assumptions underlying our expectations regarding forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release include, among others: that we are positioning ourselves appropriately to take advantage of trends; and that our customer database presents an opportunity for expanding our business. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive.

Persons reading this news release are cautioned that forward-looking statements or information are only predictions, and that our actual future results or performance may be materially different due to a number of factors. These factors include, but are not limited to: changes in the market; downturns in economic conditions; consumer credit risk; our ability to implement our business strategies; competition; limited suppliers; inventory risk; disruption in our distribution facilities; mergers and acquisitions; foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; regulatory requirements; demand for contact lenses and related vision care products; competition; and dependence on the internet and other risks detailed in our filings with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities. Reference should be made to the section entitled "Risk Factors" contained in our most recently filed Annual Information Form dated January 29, 2009, for a detailed description of the risks and uncertainties relating to our business. These risks, as well as others, could cause actual results and events to vary significantly. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information, which are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and we expressly disclaim any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements, unless we specifically state otherwise and except as required by applicable law.