Contact Lens saving

ben500

If like myself you only need corrective vision in one eye then you can make a saving on contact lenses, I used to purchase mine in specsavers and although they don't make a big issue of it in advertising they will actually sell you ONE lens at half the price of a pair, however another alternative is to have both lenses prescribed for the same eye in any other optician you might use, if they don't offer you either one of these choices simply shop around competition is rife and they want your busines!

PS in case your wondering the last pair of glasses I had, one of the lenses looked like it came from a lighthouse and enabled me to see the corner of a kitchen cupboard door approximately one nanosecond before it gouged a hole in the side of my head! so no point in wasting money on that one!

Former_MSE_Andrea

Hi Ben, I was told the same nearly ten years ago. I have astigmatism in one eye and the first optician I ever bought contact lenses from (an independent - not one of the big chains) told me I could just wear one. It certainly helped when I was a student - I couldn't have afforded contact lenses at the time otherwise.

I just order packs using the same prescription. Opticians never question it when I tell them.

minap

I have recently had a trail at specsavers but I'm not happy as they haven't given me an alternative to different monthly disposables as the ones recommended do no do the job that well. I'm thinking of trying another brand myself from irisonline has anyone ever used these and are they any good? Also has anyone got any thoughts or use Proclear contact monthly disposibles what is their verdict?

Str4berr3

Go to the Postoptics website for their better deals.
https://www.postoptics.co.uk

Alfie_E

minap wrote:

I have recently had a trail at specsavers but I'm not happy as they haven't given me an alternative to different monthly disposables as the ones recommended do no do the job that well. I'm thinking of trying another brand myself from irisonline has anyone ever used these and are they any good? Also has anyone got any thoughts or use Proclear contact monthly disposibles what is their verdict?

When I used Iris Online, I got an extremely professional service. The lenses even came with a free "travel-sized" bottle of solution, from the same manufacturer as the lenses, to tempt me to buy future solution from them. They were also very helpful, when my local Dollond & Aitchison dug their heels in, and were adamant that they weren't going to let me have my contact lens prescription.

However, I now get my lenses from https://www.specsaversdirect.com. For my lenses, they are cheaper than both Iris Online and Postopics. I suspect they have a competitive advantage, by having the website and payment handled by Specsavers International Healthcare Ltd, which is based in Guernsey. The lenses themselves are posted out from a depot in Kent.

It is important to appreciate that a contact lens prescription is for one specific make of contact lens only. An optician should not sell a different make, using that prescription.

After my slight problem with D&A, I now have my eye test and contact lens fitting at Specsavers. I told them what make of lens I wanted. The optician looked up the appropriate data sheet, in that manufacturer's folder. She did the fitting, and wrote me a prescription for that make of lens. Your local branch of Specsavers should be able to physically get hold of a wide range of makes. And, they should be able to get hold of the information to give you a fitting for just about any make of lens.

I'm not sure what you mean by "do no do the job that well", as they certainly should have the correct properties to correct your vision. I can only assume you mean they are uncomfortable. If that's the case, you could try a lens with a higher water content, or a lens that is naturally softer. The trade off with a softer lens is that you have to treat them more carefully, otherwise they might not last the month. Also, it might be that you want a make that has an option of a base curve that is a better match to the shape of your eyes. Finding something better is where you need the experience of a helpful optician. If your Specsavers won't help, find somewhere that will.

johnny5a

If you live in Reading, Brighton, Winchester or Oxford, you should try Eyesite, they will pricematch contact lenses against prices on the Internet. All you need is to take a copy of the page from the website, though their prices are very close to internet prices.

Obviously you must have your check up with them. Also I did the price match at the Reading Branch.

legalmind_3

My better half is an optometrist and both of us use contact lenses everyday. We have used both Vision Direct and Post-Optics and would recommend both. The only difference has been that Vision Direct seemed to have a larger range; both were a lot cheaper than the high street.

The one bit of advice I would impart is that, if regularly using contact lenses, you should go and see an optometrist regularly (I think they recommend once a year). They can check the health of the eye and also determine which lens fits best.

It is probably also worth remembering (though perhaps not moneysaving logic) that opticians are forced to make their money from glasses and contact lenses as people are not prepared to pay for their professional time. This means that buying lenses from the net is having a direct impact on the small independent practices which are slowly but surely disappearing from high streets, replaced by Specsavers et al.

happyguy_2

Hello ... I'm a new poster, but have been monitoring this site for many months as i'm planning a move to the UK in the next 6 months or so & thought it'd be a good idea to know what i can get for my money!

However for contact lense wearers, i think i might be able to provide you with some help from Canada if you are interested? The site that i purchase contact lenses from - http://www.clearlycontacts.ca - seems to have prices that are very reasonable (cheaper) compared to some UK sites that i have searched. If anyone is interested, i'd be more than willing to 'fill a prescription' for you & can then ship the lenses to you?

An example is -

http://www.postoptics.co.uk/productdetails.aspx?subname=Monthly%20Disposables&productid=e03183ea-ab24-4d6a-b43a-dbc76a4cd86a

vs.

https://www.clearlycontacts.ca/secure/show1fproduct_CC.cfm?formkey=050608085345

this is for my brand ... your's might be cheaper or more expensive ... you'll have to check the site to see.

I've never shipped items like these to the UK but based on some preliminary calculations on the contacts that i use, i think the rate would be approx. Can $43, or approx. UK Lb 19.00 ... so please make sure you add this to the cost to see if it makes sense for you.

If anyone is interested, please contact me privately at hutchm*nospam*@hotmail.com ... (please remove the *nospam*) ... also i apologize in advance if i'm posting this in the wrong area as i'm not trying to sell anything but thought i could be of assistance to other users. If this should not be posted here, please feel free to delete - this is my first posting to a Forum so i'm not too sure of the protocols.

thx

**************
An additional thought i had is that if the items are small enough to fit into a padded mailing envelope, the shipping costs will probably be a lot less. Please contact me if you are interested in being a guinea pig!

thx again.

frugal_dougal_3

ben500 wrote:

PS in case your wondering the last pair of glasses I had, one of the lenses looked like it came from a lighthouse and enabled me to see the corner of a kitchen cupboard door approximately one nanosecond before it gouged a hole in the side of my head! so no point in wasting money on that one!

ben, I found that hilariously funny !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry for your poor head though.

lisyloo

Be aware of customs duty and VAT.

I don't know the details but I'm pretty sure some will be due which might counter any cost savings.

heather38

tesco pharmacies are going to be selling lenses from next month as there is going to be a change in legislation, they will only be selling daily lenses and only with a prescription, not sure what the price will be but when i find out i will let people know