Contact lenses could be getting cheaper

[Charmonium]

Thanks to a Utah law that would remove price restrictions.

A law banning price-fixing for contact lenses that took effect this week in Utah is a setback for the nation's largest manufacturers that could have ripple effects across the country amid an increasingly bitter fight with discount retailers.

The new law appears to clear the way for the largest online discount seller, Utah-based 1-800 Contacts, to disregard minimum prices set by the lens makers and sell at a discount across state lines, said Steve DelBianco, executive director of the Internet sellers trade group NetChoice.

"That's good for consumers, who pay less for their lenses when they buy from Utah suppliers," he said in an email message. But contact lens manufacturers Johnson & Johnson, Bausch & Lomb and Alcon Laboratories disagree, and the measure is still in legal limbo. They call the law an unconstitutional overreach written specifically to bolster the Utah-based 1-800 Contacts and are fighting it in court.

Utah officials, meanwhile, have been vague on whether it will allow Utah companies to sell at discounted rates to customers outside the state. 1-800 Contacts said they plan to lower their prices, but did not respond to questions from The Associated Press about whether that would apply to customers outside the state. As of Wednesday afternoon, the price for a 12-pack of the popular Acuvue Oasys brand hadn't changed.

more at link.

 

[Nograts]

I worked for them years back. Great company. You wouldn't know it as a consumer but there is some shady stuff in the medical devices world.

If you can get Lasik though, it's nice and pretty cheap now.

 

[smackababy]

I hope not. I just bought 4 12 packs a week ago. =(

 

[ImpulsE69]

price fixing? shady stuff? In merica?! Say it isn't so.

 

[MongGrel]

I still don't trust Lasik.

I will need some in the near future though, might have to check that out.

 

[smackababy]

I still don't trust Lasik.

I will need some in the near future though, might have to check that out.

I wouldn't get Lasik, but I have considered PRK. I kept trying to get it for free when I was in the military, but I couldn't get approved. Damn prescription kept changing. =(

 

[Red Squirrel]

I broke down and got LASIK last summer. I'm super queasy when it comes to eyes but I was so sick and tired of glasses I got the balls to get it done. Best thing ever. The actual laser part was actually not as bad as the eye drops. So many eye drops, but at least it's temporary. Think it was a week or two, I can't recall.

Just so awesome to be able to see properly without glasses though. Total freedom.

 

[CZroe]

I broke down and got LASIK last summer. I'm super queasy when it comes to eyes but I was so sick and tired of glasses I got the balls to get it done. Best thing ever. The actual laser part was actually not as bad as the eye drops. So many eye drops, but at least it's temporary. Think it was a week or two, I can't recall.

Just so awesome to be able to see properly without glasses though. Total freedom.

Now: go buy some shades.