What's it cost to get contact lenses these days?

[skygazer]

I had contacts back in the early 80's but they were hard lenses and I don't remember what they cost. I'm so sick of wearing glasses but of course my insurance won't cover contacts so I'd be paying out of pocket.

Anyone have just a ballpark figure for what a person can expect to pay for contacts?

[Hugin]

1. ...

Honestly, skygazer I'd look into Laziks.

[skygazer]

4. I have looked into Lasik

My eyes aren't suitable. But thanks. :hi:

[Hugin]

6. Drat for that...

Worked wonders for me.

I also wore contacts for years.

[skygazer]

8. Yeah, I already have monovision

In fact, the woman who tested me suggested I go without my glasses for a while because I have one nearsighted and one farsighted eye and she felt they would balance out - they're both nearly 20/20 for what they do.

But I find I get eyestrain - I don't know if they're just enough off that they don't balance or what but I end up peering and then I get a headache.

Back when I wore contacts, I only had one for the left eye and I'm hoping that may still be the case.

[CottonBear]

14. I usually wear only a right contact. My left eye has better vision

and I can see tiny lettering when I don't have the left lens in. I wear the left lens when I'm driving long distances or when I'm not reading very much. My doctor said it will keep my left eye stronger and stave off the need for reading glasses for a few years. I'm nearsighted. My eyes actually got better over the last few years as far as seeing far away objects but after 42 my abilty to read tiny lettering declined rapidly.

[AllegroRondo]

2. Including eye exam?

about $400. Most places wont sell you contacts without an exam.

[skygazer]

5. I can do that

That's better than I expected. And the insurance will cover the exam. Thanks. :hi:

[Midlodemocrat]

3. My son's disposables run $100 every three months.

[skygazer]

7. Cool, that's reasonable

Thanks. :hi:

[Midlodemocrat]

10. I thought so, too.

A lot more reasonable than having to replace his glasses every other week. :eyes:

[LostinVA]

9. Mine are about the same -- but I make mine last 4-6 months

Yeah, I know.

[TommyO]

13. That seems a bit pricey

I get mine from a private optician, not a chain, and certainly not a WalMart vision center and a year's supply of disposable lenses are a bit over $200 for Acuvue 2.

[Midlodemocrat]

15. I get them from a private optician as well.

And, with insurance they only cost me about $20 every three months, but the price I quoted is what she told me they would be without insurance. :shrug:

[TommyO]

16. My insurance coverage, for the first time in years includes some vision care

It's going to be nice when I go into his office next month and don't have to cough up $300+ for the exam and a year's supply of lenses.

[Midlodemocrat]

20. Even with insurance, my husband's prescription runs

$600. :grr:

Me, I just need readers, but my new insurance kicks in on August 1st, so I'm waiting.

[CottonBear]

11. I pay $54 for 12 lenses (one regular soft lens pack and one toric lens pack)

You wear them for two weeks. I clean mine thoroughly and remove them every night and stretch the use out to 4 weeks per pair of lenses.

The exam for contacts is about $80 and my optometrist gave me several pairs of lenses (cost included in the exam fee) to try before he decided which prescription was best for me.

edit: That would be $54 for 3 months of disposables. The good thing is if you lose a lens you always have more. My left eye takes a soft lens and my right eye needs a toric because of astigmatism.

[skygazer]

12. These prices are definitely better than I expected

Good info, thanks. :hi:

[TommyO]

17. Lens prices have definitely come down

I started wearing soft lenses back in the days of enzyme cleaning and long sterilization cycles. Disposables have made enzyme cleaning a thing of the past, and the new cleaning/disinfecting solutions make daily care much easier.

[skygazer]

18. I made an appointment with my optometrist for tomorrow

Can't wait! :woohoo:

[dropkickpa]

19. I pay $325 for a year's supply of

Toric lenses (usually cost twice what soft lenses cost), which per eye is four boxes of 6 lenses. Very affordable.