contact lens discussion thread (merged)

vertical_fool

Hi all.

I have the boots free eye test voucher with signing up for the healt emails or whatever it was called. I think I remember at the time that there was vouchers from the machine for a free or cheap contact lens test. Is this true as I don`t want to pay the extra £30 as this will total £30 for both tests. I can get both test done at Asda for £20. Is there a cheaper way to get them done together. The cheapest option is to get the eye test free at Boots and the contact lens test at Asda.

Thanks

Vertical

kittykate_2

Hi,
I just wondered whether anyone can recommmend an optician to go to for continuous wear lenses. I've just rang my local branch of specsavers (who I get both monthly contacts and glasses from) and asked them for a contacts appointment. The lady on the phone was extremely rude and didn't seem one bit interested in getting me an appointment. All she offered were afternoon appointments and even when I told her I work afternoons she offered me a 11.30 one (when i pointed out this was no good, she snapped at me saying i'd just said i work afternoons....i start work at 12!). I couldn't believe it. My friend says I'm out of order for expecting her to find a morning appointment, and that I should book an hour off work but I don't think I am (she could have said to go at 9am in a months time and i'd have been happy with that). Anyways, rant over, I'm looking for another optician for my lenses. I don't feel like seeing them anymore after the way she spoke to me. I'm a shy person and she upset me. Sooo, I want to try continuous wear ones...can anyone suggest anywhere? I'm in Halifax, west yorks.

KKx

HappyShopper3

I've always been with Boots. I've never had a problem with them.

bonvonnie

kittykate - i dont think its unreasonable for you to request a morning appointment. i certainly wouldnt waste my time off work for an opticians appointment.

PS, i use specsavers for glasses and contacts, and my Bolton great is great service! maybe you could try another Specsavers branch, if there is another you can get to easily

kittykate_2

Thanks guys, I just told my mum and she wasn't surprised - they are well-known for being rude. I think I will try Boots, see what they are like.

chaos5678

hampshirebabe wrote:

Hi PennyPincher, Does he want daily disposables because they're so easy to use? if so, you could get him to try continous wear, which also dont need cleaning, but are much cheaper. I've just got some o2optix, which you can wear up to 6 night's then you take them out for one night and then have abother 6 nights, They are a lot more comfortable than they used to be. 6 pairs lasts 6 months, (although I've just realised I've been wearing mine for 6 weeks not four, not that I'm recomending it) and cost about £36, £72 for a year, and its so nice getting up in the morning and being able to see straight away!

I wear monthly lenses, so can I just change to these sort,
I spend ages trying to get mine in the right way round, it would be nice not to have to do it so often.

Are they harder than the monthly ones

gropes

I chose this retailer as I tried to buy lenses from Tesco and they rejected my prescription for some reason.

It seems to be a one man operation who only orders the stuff once he's taken your money, and it's over a week before he sends it. He uses funny terms like 'in-dispatch' when nothing is actually being dispatched.

It's been nearly two weeks now and still no lenses. Whereas he responded to my enquiries about whether they'd been sent, he's now completely quiet as I asked for details of when he sent them and what class. I would stop payment with the credit card but apparently I need to wait 30 days.

Honestly, this just defeats the whole raison d'etre of shopping on-line - cost and convenience. Avoid at all cost!!!!

Btw, can anyone tell me why, when they state how much a box of lenses is, once you place your order for how many months supply it's always a bit more than if you multiply the per box cost by the number of boxes you order??

janb5

Hi Gropes!

try the Daysoft lenses which arrived within 24 hours and are really lots cheaper. £13.98 permonth instead of about £36.00. Cheaper still for3monthly. Do a search and there is a thread on here.I think it is https://www.daysoft.co.uk

Mickt_3

Avoid Direct Sight, I do not know, but they may have gone bust, still take money, but do not deliver lenses

dminenko@onepersonhealth.

I came across "Prices and Price Dispersion in Online and Offline Markets for Contact Lenses" from US Federal Trade Commision
(http://www.ftc.gov/be/workpapers/wp283.pdf) that generally confirms that contat lens prices online are on average 25% lower then in brick-and-mortars stores.

To check this claim I've tried this price comparison engine www.HealthPricer.com that gave me prices from more than 20 online stores that sell contact lenses, which was really great.

When I use other price comparison engines line Bizrate.com or eOpinion.com, they usually offer comparison from 3-5 online stores only.

If you buy your contacts online, what stores or comparison engines do you use? Please share your experience.