First pair of contact lenses

[Anonymous]

My daughter started when she was 11. Definitely have her start over a break from school (long weekend or vacation). We buy dailies for 6 months - summer, vacations, etc and 2 week ones for 6 months. Dailies for a year are rather expensive under our policy.

[Anonymous]

I used to work for an optometrist ?
I taught an 8 yr old how to put in and take out contact lenses, but it really depends on the maturity level of the person who is going to wear them. New contact lens wearers had to attend a 1:1 session with me to go over how to take care of them and learn to put them in and take them out. They could not leave with contact lenses if they couldn't put them in and take them out at least 3 times during the session. Most people got it within a few tries, but sometimes we did have to have the individual come back and try again (i.e. They were not given an Rx for the contact lenses).

Contact lenses are a medical device per the FDA. Unless you get the kind that are meant to be worn overnight, they need to be removed and cleaned (if you don't get dailies) every night. If not, she runs the risk of infection. Eyes are not something to mess around with!
If she's wearing them to school, she needs to keep at least 1-2 extra pairs in her backpack or locker along with cleaning solution (one falls out, but she finds it on her shirt, for example) and moisturizing drops that are meant for contact lenses (will say so on the bottle).
Sometimes the contact lens companies will have rebates if you buy a 6-month or a year's supply. Insurance will not cover the cost of the cleaning solution. I would suggest Costco for that.

[Anonymous]

OP here again. Should we plan to buy the first pair/pairs directly from the eye doctor? Do we have to buy them there for them to show her how to put them in? What are some the most cost effective places to purchase them from in the future? We don't belong to Costco but I am willing to join if they have the best prices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here again. Should we plan to buy the first pair/pairs directly from the eye doctor? Do we have to buy them there for them to show her how to put them in? What are some the most cost effective places to purchase them from in the future? We don't belong to Costco but I am willing to join if they have the best prices.

Do you have insurance? If so, it may not make a difference in the cost you pay if you do. Mine pays up to a certain amount and that covers the cost at the doctor so need to shop around.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here again. Should we plan to buy the first pair/pairs directly from the eye doctor? Do we have to buy them there for them to show her how to put them in? What are some the most cost effective places to purchase them from in the future? We don't belong to Costco but I am willing to join if they have the best prices.

I'm the PP who worked at an optometrist. I think we gave new contact lens wearers 2-3 pairs of trial lenses once they completed the session with me. Then they had to come back in 2 weeks to make sure vision was good, fit was good, they were comfortable, etc. As long as everything checked out, they were then given the option to purchase how ever many boxes they needed from us or they could ask for a written prescription to buy them from wherever they wanted.
One more thing to consider is that because they are a medical device, the prescription is only good for 1 year. You can't (well, shouldn't be able to) purchase more boxes 1 year after the date the prescription is written. She will need to go back for a full eye exam to get a new prescription.

Check out 1-800-Contacts, Costco, Vision Direct, and the optometrist's office to compare prices. Ask about rebates. Also, if you use any apps like Ebates, you might be able to also get money back that way.

[Anonymous]

I've worn contacts since 3rd grade - that would be starting in 1978!! My eyes were changing so fast that they put me in them to try and slow it down. My mom also worked for an optometrist. Didn't have daily disposables at that time, but I would definitely go with that now. Less infection chance and no cleaning required. Just throw them out at the end of the day. I buy them from places like 1-800 contacts or Walgreens, etc. who ever is having a sale at the time. The optometrist will give you a weeks supply to try them first and then you can order them where ever you want. Do NOT get the sleep in ones for that age - could do damage to the eyes at that age.

[Anonymous]

My 16 year old has been wearing contacts for two years. He uses the two week disposables, which our ophthalmologist said was fine for reasonably responsible kids. The one day disposables are VERY THIN and easy to destroy for beginners.

[Anonymous]

The eye dr will give trial lenses for free along with instructions on how to wear them. And definitely do a holiday - in the beginning you are only supposed to wear them for a few hours and then slowly build up to a full day.

[Anonymous]

I get the ones that can be worn for a few weeks. I order them from contact lens king for a cheaper price.

I use the peroxide cleaning solution because I had trouble cleaning the lens each day. If you choose this type you still need to keep a bottle of the normal solution in case she drops it and needs to rinse it off. The peroxide type can burn your eyes if you don't allow it to soak for 6+ hours. But yeah, glasses are annoying. Contacts are so much better.

[Anonymous]

OP again . Thanks again for all the additional info. It's been very helpful!

We do have a vision insurance benefit but we have never had to use it before so I am not familiar yet with how much it pays and for what. I will be checking that out too.