Contact Lens test, confused!

meeshpeesh

Can someone help me? I need a contact lens check up as my prescription has become a little blurred.

I tried to book one with Vision Express but didn't know the price until they rang to confirm the appointment (after booking online) they said that it would cost:

£26 for a 'contact lens assessment, which would see if my eyes were suitable for lenses and check my prescription'

I explained to her that I'd been wearing contact lenses for about 10 years and that I'd only need a prescription test. I was expecting it to be a little cheaper (because there would be less work) but for just a contact lense prescription test it'd cost around £39!!!:eek:

Does anyone know of anywhere that does a decent price? I haven't had to change my lens prescription in years, but my glasses are up to date from a free corporate check earlier this year, (unfortunately my firm doesn't cover contacts!)

It's giving me a headache both from the blurred vision and the confusing systems of opticians.

Also I buy my contacts majorly cheap online so would prefer not to have to buy contacts direct from an opticians, otherwise there's no use trying to find it cheaper!

Hermia

meeshpeesh wrote: »

£26 for a 'contact lens assessment, which would see if my eyes were suitable for lenses and check my prescription'

I explained to her that I'd been wearing contact lenses for about 10 years and that I'd only need a prescription test. I was expecting it to be a little cheaper (because there would be less work) but for just a contact lense prescription test it'd cost around £39!!!:eek:

My contact lens check (with D&A) never just includes a prescription test. It also includes checks on the health of my eyes and that does take time. I just wonder whether an optician won't just check your prescription because they won't sign anything without also checking that your eyes are not becoming damaged from the contacts.

Jensha

Are you buying your contact lenses online from an individual seller or a company? Do they always work on you without any problems?

meeshpeesh

Jensha wrote: »

Are you buying your contact lenses online from an individual seller or a company? Do they always work on you without any problems?

I get them from www.contactlenses.co.uk and get the same brand each time (Bausch & Lomb Softlens 59) and I've never had any problems with them, (until now cos my vision is getting worse but I don't think I can blame the contacts! ). I had an eye health test a few months ago and she said my eyes were fine and healthy (despite not being 20:20 vision!), but I can see what you mean about them not wanting to sign off on a prescription unless they've tested themselves, it's just a bit of a kick in the teeth that it's gonna cost me loads extra!

tidus

An optometrist can't/won't just assess the powers you need in your contact lenses - they will also check that the front of your eyes are healthy, that your lenses are fitting correctly, that you are wearing an appropriate lens type given how much you wear them, and issue a written prescription. We charge £35 for this, and it should be done yearly. Its often included in direct debit schemes.

bobcatroo

That is a bit steep, however if you've not had lenses from VE before and don't have your full CL (not glasses) prescription they won't know what brand or lens design you wear and you may need to start again with a new trial. Just telling them the numbers on the Lens isn't enough I'm afraid. However most opticians will charge less than that to do atrial.

meeshpeesh

Sorry I need to get my head around this! Is this correct:

1. If I want to just get a prescription, I can get a basic contact lens assessment to see if they will be suitable (still) for my eyes £26

2. Or I can get a contact lens aftercare (that's what VE called it) to see if my contact lenses are currently damaging my eyes. £39

If there are any major issues with me wearing lenses won't it be picked up in the first option?

nedmundo

The 1st option sounds like it is for a 'trial' which some practices run as a loss-leader in the hope you will sign up with them.

The 2nd option is a truer reflection of the cost of providing the service to you.

nuttyrockeress

Boots offer a free contact lens assessment and trial it says on their website if that helps?

tidus

No, you're a current wearer so you need a contact lens aftercare, not an inital fitting/assessment - option 2.

If you are actually asking why the inital fitting is cheaper, that's a good question. In your example the inital fitting may be discounted to encourage people to try lenses and buy them from the practice. Its like a deal for "new customers" only, that kind of thing. You can't expect anybody to do this for you on the cheap because you're not intending to buy anything from them.

meeshpeesh

tidus wrote: »

No, you're a current wearer so you need a contact lens aftercare, not an inital fitting/assessment - option 2.

If you are actually asking why the inital fitting is cheaper, that's a good question. In your example the inital fitting may be discounted to encourage people to try lenses and buy them from the practice. Its like a deal for "new customers" only, that kind of thing. You can't expect anybody to do this for you on the cheap because you're not intending to buy anything from them.

I'm not trying to scam anybody out of money or services. I'm just looking for the cheapest deal. Money is tight at the moment and my eyesight is getting worse and worse.