Contact Lenses Question

[Anonymous]

We went for an optometrist appointment to get a prescription for contact lenses. In addition to the optometrist fee, there's a contact lens fitting fee of $75. The optometrist would only write a prescription for glasses for free, contact lenses were more. Then the contacts seem to have a fixed price at any store. Is this standard? Why does everything about contacts feel like a scam?

What's with the contact lens fitting fee? Why can't you shop around for contact lenses? Am I missing something?

[Anonymous]

I think the contact fitting fee is normal -- it should include samples, exams to see if the fit is right, and as many repeat visits as necessary to make sure you have the right lens for your eye. There are a ton of sizes, options, and materials and the variety is mind-boggling. You can't just get a prescription like you can for glasses without actually trying samples on your eyeballs.

That said, you should make sure your provider will write you a prescription for the lenses -- you can order them online and that should save you money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the contact fitting fee is normal -- it should include samples, exams to see if the fit is right, and as many repeat visits as necessary to make sure you have the right lens for your eye. There are a ton of sizes, options, and materials and the variety is mind-boggling. You can't just get a prescription like you can for glasses without actually trying samples on your eyeballs.

That said, you should make sure your provider will write you a prescription for the lenses -- you can order them online and that should save you money.

+!

[Anonymous]

Contacts require more times with the doctor. You have to go back after wearing them for a week to make sure they're working well. I hate paying that fee too cause it just adds to the total cost, but $75 is REALLY reasonable.

[Anonymous]

I have worn contacts for 20+ years and honestly the fitting fee gets old for me...seems as if at some point they'd know what "fits" me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the contact fitting fee is normal -- it should include samples, exams to see if the fit is right, and as many repeat visits as necessary to make sure you have the right lens for your eye. There are a ton of sizes, options, and materials and the variety is mind-boggling. You can't just get a prescription like you can for glasses without actually trying samples on your eyeballs.

That said, you should make sure your provider will write you a prescription for the lenses -- you can order them online and that should save you money.

+!

+2. I had to go back a bunch of times because the first several types really irritated my eyes and it took us a while to find a brand that didn't. I ended up getting 4 or 5 different samples of contacts with 4 or 5 different visits with the doctor to check my eyes and the fit. So, for me, the fee was well worth it.

[Anonymous]

Contacts are potentially dangerous to your eyes. There's a good reason why they want to make sure they fit properly and you understand how to wear them. You're putting something in your eye that has the potential to damage your cornea, for crying out loud.

You can shop around for contacts after you get a pair fitted from a doctor. They'll typically give you a free sample pair. You pay the fitting fee and then you can get the actual prescription and shop around.

[Anonymous]

Had a recent appointment at Lens Crafters and was charged something like 100 for the eye exam and another ~100 for the contact lens exam/fitting. I don't even purchase my contact lenses through them! And of course my eye insurance only covers the eye exam, not the contacts exam. Sounds like Lens Crafters and the drs just figured a way around the insurance companies on this one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Had a recent appointment at Lens Crafters and was charged something like 100 for the eye exam and another ~100 for the contact lens exam/fitting. I don't even purchase my contact lenses through them! And of course my eye insurance only covers the eye exam, not the contacts exam. Sounds like Lens Crafters and the drs just figured a way around the insurance companies on this one.

OP here. Yeah that's the issue. We have insurance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Had a recent appointment at Lens Crafters and was charged something like 100 for the eye exam and another ~100 for the contact lens exam/fitting. I don't even purchase my contact lenses through them! And of course my eye insurance only covers the eye exam, not the contacts exam. Sounds like Lens Crafters and the drs just figured a way around the insurance companies on this one.

OP here. Yeah that's the issue. We have insurance.

Pretty much. Irritated the crap out of me at Visionworks because I handed them my recently expired CL prescription and they just copied it down because my vision hadn't changed and still charged me the fitting fee.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have worn contacts for 20+ years and honestly the fitting fee gets old for me...seems as if at some point they'd know what "fits" me.

This. If the doctor prescribes the same brand I've been wearing for 15 years, doesn't examine the fit, and doesn't give me a sample, why is it so expensive?

[Anonymous]

OP here- where's the best place to order contacts online? Is it cheaper than Costco?

[Anonymous]

Yes, it's normal. You have a different prescription for contacts vs. glasses. There is also price fixing on contacts. I wear Ocuvue, and the price is even the same at Costco. So annoying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here- where's the best place to order contacts online? Is it cheaper than Costco?

1800 CONTACTS

[Anonymous]

Some brands are priced controlled. Acuvue used to offer all of these rebates and you could shop around. Now it's a set price, which is of course more...