CONTACT LENSES. How does it work?

[jspeicher]

I've worn glasses for several years now, just at night and such. I really want to get contacts.

How does the plan work though? Where do you get them? How much do they cost?

 

[pulse8]

Please tell me you're kidding.

 

[Mojoed]

Well first is the eye exam. If you choose to get the contacts from the doctors office, you'll pay too much. If you want to save money, just get the perscription and it will be good for a year to buy lenses online.

Getting used to putting them in could take awhile, but once you get it, it's like riding a bike.

 

[TheLonelyPhoenix]

1) You go to an optometrist and get a contact prescription
2) You order the lenses through the doctor or somewhere else
3) You put the lenses in your eyes.
4) ...
5) Profit!

 

[jspeicher]

Sorry, I wanted more information on Pricing and what kind of replacement schedules I would be on?

You have to change daily? etc,.

 

[imported_Reck]

I've been wondering the same thing. You can just get a prescription and order them online right? Anyone know of any good sites to get them?

 

[TheLonelyPhoenix]

Price varies with where you get them, whether or not you get disposables, etc.

Most disposables have about 3 months of life in them.

 

[Platypus]

Originally posted by: jspeicher
Sorry, I wanted more information on Pricing and what kind of replacement schedules I would be on?

You have to change daily? etc,.

You usually get a year's worth of contacts at once, wear them for 2 weeks (taking them out nightly before bed, putting them in next day), rinse, repeat.

This totally depends on your doctor, etc, but this is normal.

 

[Mojoed]

Originally posted by: TheLonelyPhoenix
Price varies with where you get them, whether or not you get disposables, etc.

Most disposables have about 3 months of life in them.

I bought a few boxes of the daily disposable Bausch & Lomb SofLens. I've read somewhere that these things are the exact same thing as extended wear lenses, just marketed differently, and much much cheaper. When I got these five years ago, they were ~$1 per pair and I got 90 pair. I still have a few pair left. I'll have to agree with what I've read. I keep these things in for days sometimes, with zero problems. I can sense no difference between expensive extended lenses, and these disposable ones. Of course your eyes may not react thet same as mine, but I'm convinced they're all the same lenses.

 

[TheLonelyPhoenix]

Originally posted by: Mojoed

Originally posted by: TheLonelyPhoenix
Price varies with where you get them, whether or not you get disposables, etc.

Most disposables have about 3 months of life in them.

I bought a few boxes of the daily disposable Bausch & Lomb SofLens. I've read somewhere that these things are the exact same thing as extended wear lenses, just marketed differently, and much much cheaper. When I got these five years ago, they were ~$1 per pair and I got 90 pair. I still have a few pair left. I'll have to agree with what I've read. I keep these things in for days sometimes, with zero problems. I can sense no difference between expensive extended lenses, and these disposable ones. Of course your eyes may not react thet same as mine, but I'm convinced they're all the same lenses.

I have very heavy astigmatism, so I haven't found good daily disposables that fit my prescription. I've heard that they are very good lenses though.

 

[TechnoKid]

You cannot just get a prescription for contacts and then just order them online etc. Part of you being issued a prescription for contact lenses is being fitted for contacts, they measure your base curve, pupil diameter and all that good stuff they don't normally do in a regular glasses exam. Then they fit you to a brand of contacts by actually making you try some on, seeing how you see with them etc. Your prescription is valid only for what brand and power and size is listed on the prescription. Contact lense exams are much more expensive than glasses exams.

Contact lense prescriptions last a year while glasses prescriptions last 2 years.

 

[silverpig]

Originally posted by: jspeicher
Sorry, I wanted more information on Pricing and what kind of replacement schedules I would be on?

You have to change daily? etc,.

Mine are like $129 or so for a 6 month supply (officially) where you switch to a new pair every month. I stretch them out until they become uncomfortable so they usually last 1.5 yrs or so.

 

[BigJ]

With your prescription, you can order a supply (usually either 6 months or a year). Due to flaws in your eyesight, you may or may not be able to wear certain types of contacts. For example, I have very bad astigmatism coupled with poor vision, so I haven't been able to find anything better than 2 week disposables. Some people only wear hard contacts, others wear dailies. It depends on how bad your eyes are.

 

[drewdogg808]

there are several modalities....there are disposables (daily, 2 week, monthly, and quarterly) and conventional (yearly).

most people will do daily wear (take them out nightly) and dispose according to lens type or schedule. conventional is the least expensive option, but you only have 1 pair for the year and need to clean them well and take care of them to last long.

there are differences in lens types (water content, oxygen transmissibility, etc..) so not all can be worn the same time length.

you should get an exam with an optometrist and ask plenty of questions and he/she will determine which type will be best for you.