Contact Lenses Eye Test

Garnett_F

I'm keen to get some contact lenses, and I've read the article and thread on discount lenses, but I have spoken to a few opticians and they all seem to charge about £50 for a necessary eye test they require you to have before giving me a prescription.

I know my prescription for glasses is quite shortsighted, and that I have astigmatism which will require toric lenses.

Does anyone know anywhere that offers cheaper contact lens specific eye tests?

sm00chie

what a coincidence! lol
i was in the same boat as you last week!
i also have astigmatism and require toric lenses (and my eye sight is pretty bad too!)

just over a week ago i booked a contact lense appointment which cost me £15 as i'm on benefits (was told full cost is approx £27). The optician then offered me a one week trial of acuvue lenses for astigmatism which was the whole point of me booking as although they're new i know i can get these cheaper online. I only really wanted my contact lense prescription to buy a box of lenses cos i don't wear them that often-only on occasions.
The optician never gave me my prescription but from the trial lenses he gave me which are perfect, is where my prescription lies therefore i can order more pairs of these online.

The cheapest site I've found for these lenses is

http://www.postlenses.co.uk/acuvue-astigmatism-p-207.html?osCsid=09ece8bdf171568fb1a4e8c7f7b85a94

I made an order with them last Thursday night and they are still awaiting delivery from their suppliers

I did find another site that was £2 cheaper but I never bookmarked it and now i can't find it.

Hope i haven't babbled on too much and you've found the info useful.

Garnett_F

Thanks Sm00chie - that IS useful.

Reckon I will see if I can find the same. I was hoping for news of some "introductory" price for an eye-test, but I suppose the opticians are on the the buying-off-the-internet trick, and so I doubt I'll find such a thing.

One thing - I tried lenses a while ago, and they were really uncomfortable. Everyone told me I was being a wimp, and that they would settle down, but they never did, even after hours of having them in. I reckoned this was because this was before soft toric lenses were available.

How have you found your lenses?

sarahg1969

I have the Acuvue Advance for astigmatism lenses from Costco. They are £40 for 3 months' worth. That's 12 lenses altogether, because they are 2-week lenses. I searched on the internet and this seems a good price.

Also, I think the initial lens check was £20.

I just want them to hurry up and make some coloured lenses for astigmatism that don't cost £60 PER lens. For a month!!

Just checked, and on the site mentioned above, the lenses I have are £54.95 for the same quantity.

http://www.postlenses.co.uk/acuvue-advance-toric-p-214.html?osCsid=09ece8bdf171568fb1a4e8c7f7b85a94

So, Costco are a bit cheaper (but only if you're already a member, of course!).

sm00chie

Garnett,

I have never used the hard toric lenses before as they look so intimidating!, only the soft daily lenses.

Of the 2 ranges i've tried (focus daillies toric & 1 day avuvue for astigmatism) i have always found that they are a bit dry and have always had to use contact lense eye drops to ease the discomfort especially as it gets darker-for some reason my eyes seemed more irritable at night.

i dunno about yours but my sight is pretty bad left is -5.50 right is -6.50 and don't start me on the astigmatism!!

i would advise you go to a ophthalmic opticians not a high street opticians as they can detect long term eye disorders, infections etc... I personally think they offer you better service as they are not connected with any one and they work for themselves

feel free to ask away any questions, since we are both going blind with astigmatism we could probably do with each others and anyone elses help! :rotfl:

sm00chie

sarahg1969 wrote:

I have the Acuvue Advance for astigmatism lenses from Costco. They are £40 for 3 months' worth. That's 12 lenses altogether, because they are 2-week lenses. I searched on the internet and this seems a good price.

Also, I think the initial lens check was £20.

I just want them to hurry up and make some coloured lenses for astigmatism that don't cost £60 PER lens. For a month!!

Just checked, and on the site mentioned above, the lenses I have are £54.95 for the same quantity.

http://www.postlenses.co.uk/acuvue-advance-toric-p-214.html?osCsid=09ece8bdf171568fb1a4e8c7f7b85a94

So, Costco are a bit cheaper (but only if you're already a member, of course!).

costco are cheaper and it is cheaper to buy the acuvue advance for astigmatism but for me personally i prefer the 1 day acuvue lenses for astigmatism as i don't wear them that often and that is the cheapest i've found online for them and you don't have to buy 3 months worth. i'm so used to my glasses i actually think i look wierd without them!! lol

now i'm wondering if costco do the 1 day acuvue for astigmatism?? hmmm...
shame i haven't got a membership . do you know if anyone can join?

lancs_girl_2

Hi I am not clued up on eyes but on Sat I had my eyes tested and bought new glasses, i mentioned contaqct lenses and the ady said there was a free trial at the moment and that was at specsavers, you may want to check that one out.

sarahg1969

sm00chie wrote:

costco are cheaper and it is cheaper to buy the acuvue advance for astigmatism but for me personally i prefer the 1 day acuvue lenses for astigmatism as i don't wear them that often and that is the cheapest i've found online for them and you don't have to buy 3 months worth. i'm so used to my glasses i actually think i look wierd without them!! lol

now i'm wondering if costco do the 1 day acuvue for astigmatism?? hmmm...
shame i haven't got a membership . do you know if anyone can join?

They have rules about joining just like any other warehouse club. You need to be a trader or a member of a professional body or your employer needs to join. But, I'm pretty sure there's usually a way in for just about anybody.

I don't know if they do the Acuvue dailies, but as with all toric lenses, they order them in anyway, so I don't see why they couldn't get them. It didn't cross my mind to get dailies because I wear them all the time, and I am used to wearing monthlies. Wouldn't hurt to ask them.

Techno

Boots seem to be doing a free contact lense eye test and a free weeks supply if you buy glasses

sarahg1969

Techno wrote:

Boots seem to be doing a free contact lense eye test and a free weeks supply if you buy glasses

Boots are very expensive. But I guess if they're local to you, then they're more convenient.

ahll

I have just done the Boots contact lens trail and I have decided to take out their policy to start with. This is because I have heard that getting check ups can be very expensive. I have got the monthly one that you can keep in all the time. So far I think have have been to get checked out about 6 times and I have to go back again on Saturday to check that wearing them for a week is ok. Then I believe I will have a check up in 6 months. It costs me £18 a month which is alot cheaper than daylies.

When I am sure everything is ok then I will think about buying my contacts online. I got them to give me my perscription details last week. My eyes are precious and I didnt want to take any risks with them, so I thought this what a good approach. I can't fault Boots care towards and making sure everything is ok.

As said above I believe they have a free trail on now - not sure of the details though.