Thursday, August 30, 2012

Do you need to have a contact lens refitted every year?

So i wear the same contact, and use the same prescription, do i need to pay for the fitting again.as far as i can tell they charge (in my area) around 45 dollars to fit your contacts, and that just goes to one contact and a small sample bottle of solution.i can get a pack of my contacts for 30$

i found several websites from optometrists that say something similar to this

Contact Lenses: Fitting

Q.Do I need to pay this fee each year?

A.No. If you continue to use the same contact lens, a new fee is not incurred each year. If however, at some point, the Doctor determines that the lens needs to be changed due to eye health reasons, a re-fitting fee will be charged because of the additional time required to fit with a new lens. A new fee will also be required if the patient decides they would like a different type of lens the following year, for any reason; i.e. the patient decides they would now like to wear a daily disposable lens instead of another wear schedule. Now, this new lens material would need to be evaluated.

does any body know where to get cheap exams in utah, i live in the springville/provo area.im looking at sams club but again the exam is 59 and the fitting would be an additional 30 dollars and if im using the same lens and solution i really don't want to have to pay that fee again (not to mention they don't have my prescription so they have to make it in their machine (or something like that) and their machine isn't strong enough to make my prescription so i would be paying 30 dollars for a contact that isn't my prescription.) im currently waiting for a callback from the optometrist (or whatever they are called) to see if i can bypass this fee so all she has to do is the exam. (so now i think that they as in eye doctors are scamming people, unless their is a need to change contacts why do you need to have them fitted every year if its the same prescription, same type of lens, the fitting is designed for new contact lens wearers to be taught how to use them and then any additional trips to have the type adjusted until comfortable.

What is involved in a contact lens fitting?

A. Based on several factors, the Doctor will determine a diagnostic contact lens to dispense to the patient for a trial period. A trial period with the new contact lens will help the patient to decide if he/she likes the comfort and wearing schedule of the contact lens.At a follow-up appointment, the Doctor will check the vision to determine if the power can be changed to improve the quality or clarity of vision. The Doctor will also determine if the fit of the contact lens is appropriate with regard to the health of the eyes. If the fit, vision, and comfort of the lens is acceptable, a final prescription is then determined.

any insight will be appreciated and if anybody knows a cheap place to get exams in my area i would appreciate it. (at this point i would go to a guy in a van that could renew my prescription for 20 dollars)
Added (1). I do agree eye exams are good yearly and will not skip an eye exam, im talking about the fitting, any medical issue will be seen during a normal eye exam, the fitting is when they put the new contact in your eye and ask you how it feels and if you would like to try another brand.
>>> Do you need to have a contact lens refitted every year?