Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I'm an ophthalmic technician. It is amazing how much people don't understand about contact lenses (or just assume), and how people take for granted the health of their eyes.
Contacts are completely different than glasses and take significantly more time and resources to fit. That is why there is an extra charge. It is not a scam. Wouldn't you want something sitting on your eye all day to fit properly? There can be serious problems if there is an incorrect fit.
Everyone's eyes are different... Contacts have a specific base curve and diameter that is measured just for you. If you have astigmastism, there is even more that goes into making a toric contact fit properly. Additionally, your own eyes can change over time, so your own 'fit' may change.
There are also different types of materials to make contacts lenses, different oxygen permeability, etc.
I hope this helps clear up some confusion!
But what about when we just get the same brand we always get?
Tech here again... The fit should be checked every time you see your doctor for your regular checkup. It's not as extensive as the 'initial fit', but the doctor still needs to ensure the contacts are on your eyes properly, even if they keep giving you the same brand year after year. So technically when the doctor or tech looks at your eyes under the slit lamp while you're still wearing your lenses, they are looking for very specific things to make sure the fit is still proper. Because of this, some places (not all) will continue to charge you a fitting fee. Most people are fine with keeping the same brand year after year, but your eyes do change (and there are a ton of random things that can also affect it...medications you take not related to the eye, systemic issues like autoimmune disorders/diabetes/menopause, environmental factors), and that is why they need to continue checking the fit.