Coastal Contacts Files Statement of Claim Against Current Director

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 19, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Coastal Contacts
Inc. (TSX:COA) (Stockholm:COA) ("Coastal" or, the "Company") today announced it
has commenced legal action against Mr. Daniel Muhlbach, one of Coastal's
current directors. 

The action is in respect to Mr. Muhlbach's conduct relating to Coastal's
wholly-owned Swedish subsidiary, LensLogistics AB (Lensway), of which he was
previously the CEO and a director. Particulars of the allegations are set out
in a Statement of Claim filed today with the British Columbia Supreme Court and
include, among other things, breach of fiduciary duties and failure to act
honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of Coastal. 

The remedies being sought from the Court include general, special and punitive
damages and an order that Mr. Muhlbach be removed as a director of Coastal. 

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
contact lenses and eyeglasses.  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. 

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