Have you been to the optometrist lately?

[madison2000]

$170 just for an eye exam. Its been a year and a half, so I need a new prescription for disposable contact lenses. If I buy the amount they recommend, its over $450 a year. My last pair of distance glasses were $250. If I actually buy reading glasses (the ones from the drugstore are too strong) it will be at least $100.

My insurance doesn't cover this, although I can reimburse it with flex spending.

During the 20 months of unemployment I've had during the Bush admin I couldn't replace my contacts or glasses, just had to use what I had.

I can't believe how expensive this is, and that must mean a lot of people aren't getting what they really need for their eyes.

[Rabrrrrrr]

1. Yep, just went yesterday

Went to Pearle Vision. Cost me $40 for the eye exam, and a bit over $300 for the glasses (no eye insurance for me, either but I did get a AAA discount from Pearle whcih was about 50% of the cost for the glasses, which is pretty damned good).

Granted, I bought a spendy pair of frames with detachable sunglasses - I could have gotten away with probably $200 for the glasses if I'd gone for a non-designer frame without the bells and whistles.

But last time I had glasses done was four years ago, and yeah, things are way pricier than they were back then. I was really shocked.

Except for the cost of the eye exam - I couldn't believe how cheap it was, and it was a good one, too. I'd never gone to Pearle before.

[Liberal Veteran]

2. No, but I thought about it last week....

When I woke up with one of my eyes pink.

Fortunately I had some dexamethasone/antibiotic drops that took care of that.

[Bouncy Ball]

3. Yep, just went last week.

I spent $139 on the exam, but I got the whole meal deal--field vision testing, dilation, everything you can possibly get examined with your eyes. I have borderline glaucoma and there is macular degeneration in my family so I have to be careful.

Anyway, she gave me a sample pair of disposable contacts and I go back Thursday to see how they are fitting. They're fine. I've worn contact since 1982.

My glasses, she discovered, are actually a wee bit too strong. Weird, huh?

I'm going to end up purchasing contacts on the internet. It'll be about $150.

It's expensive, very.

[tjwmason]

4. Pardon my French but bloody-hell

I had a sight-test a year ago which cost less than £20 ($40). The chappy said to come back in 2 years time (which is normal).

I get daily disposable contacts for £16 per month (roughly $380 p.a.) which covers half of the time (I wear glasses the other half, by choice); it also covers unlimited appointments if I have any problems with the lenses (I had my annual check-up a few weeks ago). My glasses were around £200, but they were with expensive frames.

[tammywammy]

5. Thank God I have insurance

My eyesight is so bad. I have to pay for the Super thin, more expensive lenses on my glasses, and that was like $100 extra. I wear plastic frames and the lens still sticks out a little. (I'm a -11.25 in contacts)
But the good news is the disposable contacts. My friends dad works for Alcon (Opti-free, etc), and even he says you can wear them longer than the two weeks. He said they're still perfectly good if you clean them everynight. So I don't buy nearly as much as the eye doctor wants me too. I wear them until they get a little foggy.

[tjwmason]

9. I used to wear monthly lenses

I knew the contact lens optician who told me that with decent care you could keep them going for 2 months (which I stretched a little on occasion). Kept me going through student years. Now I'm on daily lenses which are infinitely easier to use.

Welcome to D.U. :hi:

[tammywammy]

25. Thanks for the welcome

I'm a long time lurker and am working over my posting shyness.

[ScreamingMeemie]

6. $650 with one pair free a year and a half ago.

:eyes: it's crazy, huh?

[giant_robot]

7. I went a week and a half ago

my exam was free because I signed up for some sort of 5-year plan (I did this 2-3 years ago). I paid extra for some sort of visual field test, and got a 3 month supply of contact lenses. It came to $49 altogether. America's Best vision centers are very reasonable.

[madison2000]

8. I have bi-focal contact lenses, which I highly recommend

The lenses have improved over the years, and as of today I am 20/20 for both distance and closeup. Its amazing. I can't wear glasses all day or else I get a headache. They told me my eyes showed signs of wearing the lenses too long and exposure to sun (I have blue eyes and they advise sunglasses, which I rarely use.)

The contact lens exam is more expensive than the one for glasses. They want me to come back and have my eyes dilated next week. Yuck!

[noonwitch]

10. I do have insurance that covers it, but I have excellent vision

On a clear day, I can see the 696 overpass 3 miles away. At 2 miles distant, I can differentiate between the cement and the metal framing.

Unfortuantely, I can't share my insurance with you.

[MissMillie]

11. No, but my son goes twice a year

for kerotaconus.

Does that count enough for both of us?

[Semi_subversive]

12. I have an appointment for next week

Exam and reading glasses for $35 due to insurance. But I wonder if Arnold will try to take that away from us, too?

[NoSheep]

13. I'm walking around 1/2 blind because of this.

[yorkiemommie1]

14. do you live near a costco?

i got a year's supply of my accuvue soft contacts for 82.00. i wear them only 4 hours a day because i work parttime.

[MissB]

23. Costco!! Yes!!!

Not only do they have a great price on contacts, they also have fairly cheap eye exams.

[Left Is Write]

15. No, and I need to.

I'm supposed to have a glaucoma screening every two years and it's been almost four.

I don't know if I need a new prescription, but my glasses ARE four years old and it's time for new ones.

[LynzM]

16. If you can stand it

Buy the contacts, and just wear them until they are uncomfortable or you can't see well. If you clean them a little daily, depending on your eyes, you can wear 'disposables' for up to a year. I had a pair of 2-week lenses that I wore for 11 months, with my optometrist's blessing. Depends on how much 'stuff' your eyes deposit on the lenses. But the 'needing' new ones so often is mostly a marketing and convenience thing.

And you're right, many, many people (and sadly, kids in school) don't get the lenses they need to see well.

[madison2000]

18. Thats what I have been doing

but my optometrist could tell.
So maybe I'll wear the 2 week lenses for 4 weeks instead of 8 next time!

[Nikia]

19. My eyes showed damage from doing that

Luckily they healed significantly after disposing of the lens when I was supposed to. Both my sister and I secrete an above average amount of calcium through our eyes. That might have something to do with it.
Something is wrong with my eyes now. I can't wear my contacts with my eyes hurting. Our new insurance doesn't cover eye exams. I know that it will run over $200 if I get contacts. If I have to get new glasses instead (I am currently wearing the previous prescription), those alone) that will be at t a few hundred since I have a worse than average prescription.
I am thinking about getting Lasik. Being relatively young that should save money in the long run. I suppose that I'll still have to get glaucoma tested and such, especially since it runs in my family, but at least I won't have to worry about contacts or glasses.

[madison2000]

20. I've known several people who've done it and no one is

unhappy with the results. Costs about $1500 per eye though.

[gnofg]

17. Gas permeable

I have been wearing "hard lenses" for 35 years. They are way cheaper than disposable and way healthier for you eyes. They are also just as comfortable as soft lenses after he intial break-in period. It takes 3 weeks to get used to them. My daughter's doctor charged $250 for a fitting and $170 for an exam. This Doctor's exam is on the high end. My personal doctor is a little less. Hard contacts will last between 2-3 years before you need to replace them. The key to hard lenses is a good fitting. You need to go to someone who really knows hard lenses. For the fellow with 11.25 I am surprised you are wearing daily wears. I don't know how you can see. It is not recommended to go with softs when your eyes are any worse than 7.00 I am a 9 and a 10 diopter. You also see much better in hard lenses.

[madison2000]

21. ok my insurance covers the eye exam if you go to one of their

providers, which I didn't

:headbang:

[Dave Reynolds]

22. I'm going next month,

my insurance covers the visit.

I had Lasik in Windsor, Ontario about 18 months ago, I need a slight touch-up in one eye.

My eyes were so bad, just my lenses were $400 (not covered), plus whatever frame was covered by the plan.

[xmas74]

24. I need to.

I quit wearing contacts two years ago because of the expense and my last appointment was about four years ago. I just hate the prices but want the contacts back!

[Speck Tater]

26. I am completely bllind in my left eye

Insurance won't cover cataract surgery, otherwise I'd be a 15 minute operation away from being able to see again. Threading a needle without depth perception is a bitch!