If you’ve been surfing the web trying to figure out the cost of new contact lenses, you’ve probably run into more problems than you’re starting out.
Many factors such as your prescription, brand, type, and insurance can affect how much a link costs, so it shouldn’t be surprising if you’re searching for a certain number to see a shortage.
This article helps you understand what you might pay when buying different types and brands of contact lenses, and provides tips on how to get the best price on contact lenses.
Dailies Colored Contacts
Factors that add to the cost include the brand the ophthalmologist prescribes, the strength of the prescription, conditions such as astigmatism, and special features such as eye color enhancement.
On the other hand, insurance coverage, manufacturer rebates, retailer coupons, bulk buying options, and opting for annual contacts can lower prices.
Your health or optical insurance can affect how much you pay out-of-pocket for contact lenses.The best way to find out how you are covered is to contact your insurance company.
You may be entitled to optical benefits through your regular health insurance provider, including annual eye exams and a credit for a pair of glasses.
You may also receive a voucher to cover part of the cost of contact lenses.In rare cases, your regular health insurance may cover the full annual cost of certain contact lens options.
In addition to your health insurance, you can get supplemental vision coverage through a secondary insurance provider.
Vision insurance may entitle you to an optical exam, a credit for a pair of eyeglasses, or a partial payment for contact lenses.
Keep in mind that vision care services may not count toward your annual health insurance deductible.Also, they likely won’t pay the full out-of-pocket cost of the contact.
Conveniently, a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) can be used to purchase contact lenses.
Depending on how much your employer contributes to your HSA or FSA each year, you may be able to pay the full annual fee for the contact.
Eye exams for contact lenses are called fitting.In it, your ophthalmologist will measure the strength of your vision, determine the shape of your eyes, and determine the size of contact lenses you need.
Brand or type recommendations are based on what your doctor knows about your eyes and their professional opinion on which lenses are best for you.
Dailies Colored Contacts
If routine maintenance and proper overnight storage sounds like too much of a hassle, day-disposable lenses may be just right for you.These lenses are only used for 1 day, after which they are discarded.
Daily necessities are usually a box of 90 tablets.If you need a different prescription for each eye, you must buy a separate box of 90 tablets for 3 months of daily wear.
To get the most bang for your buck, consider purchasing a half-year supply (or 4 boxes of 90 lenses each) for volume discounts.
Make sure not to use daily for more than a day.If you need to stretch a box, you can take a few days off contact lenses and then change your glasses.
So if you lose or break the lens, it’s not a big deal.However, you still need to soak them in the salt solution overnight.
Typically, weekly or bi-weekly contacts are in groups of six.If you have two different prescriptions for your eyes, you will need to get at least two boxes at a time to use them for 3 months.
Theoretically, a 2-week connection costs half the cost of a 1-week connection.But don’t try to extend the life of the lens beyond the package instructions in order to save money.Instead, try changing your glasses a few days a week.
Depending on the brand, monthly contact lenses are durable enough to last 1 to 3 months—provided you commit to careful daily cleaning and proper storage when you’re not wearing them.
However, it also means that if your contacts are interrupted, this could be a bigger problem.So it’s worth checking to see if your preferred retailer offers free replacements in case of tearing.
With this option, it’s important to keep track of when you start using each lens to avoid accidentally using it after the recommended replacement date.
Also, keep in mind that some people believe that monthly exposure makes them more likely to develop dry eye.Be prepared to wear glasses if your eyes start to feel dry or irritated.
Therefore, they require a lot of care and commitment.If you used to forget or neglect to maintain your contacts, this may not be the best option for you.
Keep in mind that while the annual cost per box of contact lenses may be higher than other types, you only need one box for a full year.That being said, it’s best to opt for a box with a spare pair just in case.
Although they’re also called hard contacts, they allow more oxygen to get into your eyes than soft disposables.
Because of their research construction, they don’t tear easily and can last an entire year, if not longer.However, they may take some getting used to.
Because they have to be custom made for you, you can’t buy them in bulk.You should also keep in mind that if they do eventually break, replacement costs can be high.
If you are interested in these custom lenses, you will need to consult your ophthalmologist.Only they can give you a proper cost estimate.
For example, lenses that last from a few months to a year may end up being cheaper in the long run, but they also require a greater commitment to routine cleaning and proper storage.On the other hand, if you’re after convenience and ease of use, more expensive everyday items may be more suitable.
Ultimately, the best way to determine the cost of contact lenses for your eyes and lifestyle is to speak with your eye doctor.
Kathryn Watson is a freelance writer covering everything from sleep hygiene to moral philosophy.Her recent credits include Healthline, Christianity Today, LitHub and Curbed.She lives in New York City with her husband and two children, and her website is kathrynswatson.com.
If you’re looking to buy contact lenses online, the sites on this list have a consistent track record for customer satisfaction and carrying quality contact lenses…
A step-by-step guide on how to remove soft and hard contact lenses and stuck lenses.
Swimming with contact lenses may help you see better, but it does increase your risk of certain eye-related problems, from dry eye to serious…
Tetrachromacy is a rare eye disorder that increases color vision.We’ll tell you what causes it and how to diagnose it, and…
Our author reviewed 1-800 contacts and provided her own experience using the service.Learn about costs, how it works, and more.
Here are the pros and cons of buying contacts from ContactsDirect and how they differ from the competition.
Blurred vision is common after surgery, especially when the eye is involved.But blurred vision can also occur after other types of surgery…
Post time: Jun-01-2022
