Is there any difference between going to one of the big national "chains" versus going to a private practice? For example, is buying contacts cheaper through LensCrafters or Pearle Vision?

What are the differences?

Eye Doctors are sort of a scam. You really only need to go every other year. Then even if you get the same contacts they'll upcharge you for a "fitting".

Then they'll turn around and try to charge you 2-3x online price for the same lenses. It's absurd the markup in the shop.

Glasses are the same way. Even the $300 frames cost the store on the order of $20-30 bucks. Virtually all frames are made in the same couple factories in china and just badged differently. The small difference in hinges, nose pads and etc. are pennies of cost difference, but help differentiate the products costing 8x as much. Genius. It's one of the things that's been immune to online retailing because people want to try them on.

The quality of the lens is the biggest variable and it's almost impossible to compare between local stores. I know some people that swear by some online lens shops as well.

There's no reason to go to a local eye doc versus a pearle place every year if all you need is an Rx. Any monkey can get your Rx for you.

in my case, my eyes have not changed in the last few years. i would be perfectly happy just ordering another year supply of the contacts I have now.

do i need to have another exam to do this? or can i simply call 1-800 contacts and give them my current prescription numbers? will insurance cover this if i do not go through a doctor?

actually the biggest problem is incorrect prescriptions in your glasses. this apparently is a huge problem regardless of where you go. the quality control in lens making is for sheet. next time you get a pair of glasses make sure you can see properly without strain. don't buy the line that your eyes just aren't used to the new lenses.

golfer, you will need a new prescription if your last exam was over a year ago. it is complete bullsheet, but that is the way it is.

The eye doctors at Lenscrafters are generally only optometrists, whereas most "local" doctors are opthamologists. The biggest difference is if you have some sort of eye disease, etc. The opthamologist is who will diagnose it and if surgery is needed, will perform it.

Oh and in Texas you have to have a current prescription to get glasses. They will not sell you glasses if you prescription is more than a year old. It's the law.

Well I went to Lenscrafters at lunch.

To purchase my Acuvue Oasys lenses through them is $40.00 per box.

Online at 1-800-Contacts it is approximately $35 per box.

Online at FramesDirect they are approximately $25 per box.

Decided to order through FramesDirect. We'll see how it goes.

quote:

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Optometrists are sort of a scam.

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fify

I definitely should have been an eye doctor. There may not be an easier profession in the world, relative to compensation!

The real scam is laser correction. At $5000 for a 10 minute procedure the doc probably takes more before lunch than I'll rake all year.

quote:

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I definitely should have been an eye doctor. There may not be an easier profession in the world, relative to compensation!

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Uh, yeah right, its a piece of cake. The best part is you can be trained in only 8-10 years after 4 years of college!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81jmT1hfNS8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpJFC5fo_XQ

If you were referring to a doctor of Optometry, please disregard my post.


[This message has been edited by ttuhscaggie (edited 4/2/2008 3:04p).]

that's what i meant - basically the guy that did my exam at lenscrafters.

I guess he doesn't rake in the dough an opthomologist does.

[This message has been edited by golferag2003 (edited 4/2/2008 3:25p).]

Since we're kind of on the subject of contacts, I'm about to get my first pair. I understand they vary by the length of time you can keep them in. Any thoughts or opinions on what might be the better choice?

Costco is better.

[This message has been edited by PeekingDuck (edited 4/3/2008 12:11a).]

I used Costco.

Cost-wise, the less you have to change them the cheaper they will be. 1-day contacts are much more expensive than 2-week contacts (more than 2x as expensive). I don't see the benefit in 1-day contacts. I guess you save a little time and money by not having to put them in no-rub solution.

I've had Acuvue Oasys for about 2 years now (prior to that I wore a now discontinued Acuvue contact). They are to be replaced every two weeks.

Like I mentioned I got them for $25 per box from Frames Direct. One box of Oasys is a three month supply for one eye.

They are very comfortable. I place them in no-rub solution each night (I use the Walgreens brand) and probably wear them for 3 weeks instead of 2. I have never had any infections or problems with my eyes as a result of wearing them a little longer than suggested.