Coastal Contacts to Double Eyeglasses Manufacturing Capacity

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 1, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Coastal Contacts
Inc. (TSX:COA) (Stockholm:COA) ("Coastal Contacts"or "Coastal"), the leading
online retailer of prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses announced today
that it has placed orders for five additional state-of-the-art eyeglasses
edging systems. The systems are industry leading in terms of production
capacity and low rates of rejection as compared with comparable systems
currently installed in eyeglasses labs around the world. The systems are to be
installed early in 2011. 

"We believe Coastal is uniquely positioned at the front of the pack in the
emerging online eyeglasses business, from the customer's perspective," stated
Roger Hardy, Coastal's Founder and CEO. "Our experience in the past two months
reinforces the belief that there will be a fundamental shift in the way
consumers purchase eyeglasses, as we have been able to generate unprecedented
online eyeglasses order volumes in our North American markets. 

Clearly the value proposition is resonating with consumers.   For example,
during one product promotion this October, our Canadian site
www.ClearlyContacts.ca generated 10,000 eyeglasses orders from new customers in
a single twelve hour period.  During a one week period this November our sites
www.CoastalContacts.com and www.Lensway.com generated more than 15,000
eyeglasses orders from customers in the United States. We have proven the
concept that it is possible to sell prescription eyeglasses on the Web and that
customers are delighted with the value, quality and speed Coastal is
delivering. 

With our large and growing database of vision corrected customers, compelling
value and proven customer acquisition techniques, we believe we can continue to
similarly acquire customers at will and now require significantly expanded
manufacturing capacity to serve this market. 

The equipment Coastal has ordered will be installed in both our North American
and European facilities and when combined with the systems already installed
will have a manufacturing capacity of up to 9,000 pairs of eyeglasses per day. 

For Coastal to become the market leader in this fast growing category we intend
to continue investing in order to provide the best customer experience in the
industry." 

About Coastal Contacts:

Coastal Contacts Inc. is the world's leading direct-to-consumer vision products
company which designs, produces and distributes a diversified offering of
eyeglasses and contact lenses.  Coastal's unique combination of branded and
private label products represent quality, value and above all, service. 
Coastal sells into more than 150 countries through proprietary web properties
which reflect the culture and consumer preference of the target market.  As new
markets for eyeglasses and contact lenses evolve, Coastal is positioned to
become the vision product consumer's retailer of choice owing to its compelling
value proposition combining value and service.  A leader in many of its
markets, Coastal is rapidly advancing toward its goal of becoming the "World's
Optical Store". 

Forward Looking Statements

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. 

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. Examples of forward looking statements in this press
release include but are not limited to statements relating to the anticipated
installation date and manufacturing capacity of the equipment we intend to
purchase, our ability to continue to acquire customers at will, and our future
marketing plans. 

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. Reference
should also be made to the section entitled "Risk Factors" contained in our
most recently filed Annual Information Form dated January 29, 2010 and in the
NASDAQ OMX Stockholm listing prospectus dated October 14, 2009, as filed on
Sedar and with the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority, 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. 

CONTACT:  Coastal Contacts Inc. 
          Terry Vanderkruyk, Vice President, Corporate Development
          604.676.4498
          terryv@coastalcontacts.com