contact lens discussion thread (merged)

Esther_1000

I've worked out that I can save quite a bit of money by buying my lenses online instead of via Boots direct debit, even when I factor in eye health checks and solution costs. If I cancel my direct debit now, I will have only paid for three months' supply of lenses with Boots, having first had several free contact lense checks and free trials of different types of lenses through them, as I have problems with dry eyes. Do you think it's immoral for me to cancel so soon? I have some pangs of conscience doing this, but have decided it's a bit stupid for me to worry about it, as Boots is a big company that chooses to charge lots for its' lenses.

My question is, is it easy to get contact lense checks with opticians if you're buying your lenses online, or do opticians not like to give appointments to people who buy online? I think Boots charge £25 for checks; if anyone knows of opticians who charge less, any tips would be very welcome.

Thanks!

abelbenjamin820

how about online suppliers?i think u can save more,

rachelhen

My daily disposables last at least 2 weeks a pair as I store them in appropriate solution making sure they are clean and stay ok. brings the cost down dramatically.

suki1964

abelbenjamin820 wrote: »

how about online suppliers?i think u can save more,

Think the OP is saying she wants to buy online to save money but you still have to find the check up fee


Op I buy mine where and when as mine are 30 days continuous wear but only wear them for up to 5 hours a day five days or less a week so for me to be on monthly DD is a waste of money


Specsavers who prescribed them have no worries about me doing it this way and still send me eye check reminders 0 next week as it happens so will know the cost then

Also they are very good if I pop in and ask for one of the girls to check Ive not torn a pair or have them inside out ( as it my wont )

pmduk

Asda, and I think Tesco, are offering contact lens assessments for £15, Asda's was very thorough and included a year's aftercare

Esther_1000

Thanks for the answers to my posts, sorry if my post wasn't very clear. Like suki I don't wear mine nearly as much as you can do, so I think that direct debit is not worth it for me. The optician at Boots said that even if I only wore the fortnightly lenses once in a fortnight, I'd still need to bin them after a fortnight, but I'm pretty sure this isn't the case the the optician said it just to cover himself or to maximise sales.

That's good Tesco and Asda do check-ups for people who don't get their lenses from there, and they're £10 cheaper than Boots.

Thanks very much again for the tips!

shinyballoon

Hey everyone, I am new to this whole eye care thing and am currently drowning in a sea of confusion! A few months ago, i got a free eye test and discovered that my vision has seriously deteriorated. I am on a real low income so have been putting it all off. Basically, I need to stop putting it off and need to do something about it because being blind is seriously effecting my life. I have been told that i can wear contact lenses. I am just wondering where i go from here? Where is the cheapest place to get a contact lens prescription/assessment? (i take it it differs from my glasses prescription?) oh and i am a student, so if anyone knows about student offers? Thank you so much!

chuckley

do u have a HC2?? (zero-low income healthcare help for a year). the price depends on the conditions of ur eye. I have astigmatism and I have to use the high end ones coz of this so im on £18 monthlys inc solution @ specsavers. I *think* theyre the cheapest on the highstreet for a monthly plan.

ud probably be on the £32 NHS voucher band with the HC2 so better to use on glasses on specsavers 241 deal, as u still get both for the whole voucher . waste of money to use on contacts as even if ur on the 5 a month plan it still wouldnt last u as long as glasses.

mrbadexample

Quick question:

How long does it take for contact lenses to be made. If I get an eye test done tomorrow, will I get them within a week or so?

Cheers,
MBE

pmduk

In my experience they're off the shelf items, ie not made for you. So there should be no delays in getting them.