Prescription Eyewear
 

Does anyone have any experience with getting a prescription for contacts at a non-private practitioner? I am thinking about just going to JCPenney or Sears for an eye exam so I can get some new contacts before the holidays.

However, I'm scared that most of the opticians employed there aren't as good as private ones. Does anyone have an experience they'd like to share?

I'd like to say they're pretty much the same, but something stuck out in my mind from when I had to wear glasses (before contacts).

Having to go to Sears one year to get them, they really pushed the non-reflective coating option as well as emphasizing how much uglier I would look an usual if I didn't switch frames. The effects of the coating quickly faded after a couple of months leaving green reflections instead of clear ones.

Switching to a private optician, I was heatily recommended contacts without being nudged into useless special extras. That's just my experience though. I don't think the difference will be that exaggerated on the whole.

Well, not sure how insurance works where you are from. I was able to go down to my local optometrist and have them check me out. They also were able to fit the specific contacts I needed based on the shape of my cornea, correction and the wetness of my eyes. So far, I've had no troubles. Oh, and insurance covered the cost of the exam and contacts.

I'd recommend that if you aren't sure how reliable it would be going to a place like Sears, it would probably be better to go to a real professional. Eye sight isn't like buying a bike. You can't buy a $200 bike expecting it to perform like an $800 one. I'm not sure what the price difference would be on contacts, but I'd expect the less you pay, the more issues you'd have with comfort and dryness. Your sight is a very important attribute, so don't be in a rush to get them and not address health concerns.

Costco! An Acuvue II is an Acuvue II no matter where you go. You need a prescription that is less than 2 years old if you just want to pick up new contacts, but the price of an exam isn't very much. They take appointments, but you can also just wait. Might be more crowded this time of year though.

Yeah, I'm thinking about trying out a Costco for getting myself a new set of prescription lenses since my current set's anti-scratch coating (which came free under my insurance which I no longer have) has been peeling off and has left this nasty residue that makes it so my glasses seem like they're always covered in filth.

My girlfriend priced out a pair a few weeks ago with me and even with new lenses they came out to about the same price as what I'd pay at a private provider with my old (pretty good) insurance.

I just called my old doctor and the receptionist said that an exam is mandatory after a year, and they won't even give me a copy of the old results. Also, Sears was pretty sad, they didn't even recognize my insurance.

Guess I'll call Costco and see what they charge for an exam.

yes you need a new eye exam every year and new contact perscription.
my exam cost me 40-50 i believe.

then its $40 a box, each box contains 4 lesnses so at one lens per two weeks thats 8 weeks or two months...

so $80 for a pair (left and right box) of contact lenses from Costco (i buy mine there)... u need membership tho.

I went to Wal-Mart for a while, but I wanted to go to Costco. They're every bit as good, maybe even better. This last time I had to go to a private practicioner, because I had a certain type of insurance that only they would accept, but if you can, go to Costco. Is cheaper and just as good.

isn't costco supposed to be a good store? i heard all their employees make at least $15 per hour...

Costco is charging $90 for one exam. Is this a joke.

Called my doctor, and the receptionist said that an exam is only $75 since I'm not a new patient, even if I'm not using my original insurance provider. Better stick with my azn opthamologist.

You could have your eye exam done at your old optometrist and take the prescription to costco.

Went for the exam today, and they accepted my insurance, so I only had to pay $20. I got to keep a pair of free contacts, which I'll probably wear for a year since I'm so cheap.

But out of curiosity, what is the best brand? Acuvue is apparently the best, but I'm not sure why, other than the fact that it has supposedly been around the longest. My doctor has me on PureVision, which seem to be expensive for no particular reason at all. I'm thinking about trying the Acuvue Oasys, which are supposed to be the most comfortable since they stay very lubricated...I dunno, what do y'all wear. Maybe I'll just get some red/blue/green contacts so I can look like an anime character. Not.