I'm down to my last pair of contacts and my optometrist wants $25 for a pair of contacts. What's the cheapest place (online or B&M) to buy contact lenses? Thanks

5/6/2008 2:34:23 PM

damn optometrists trying to make a living

I wasn't aware you could just buy a pair anyway, usually they come by the boxes. And even though people think 1800 contacts or whatever is cheaper (which its not and especially not after shipping), its usually less hassle to just buy them from your doctor so you know you get the right ones that aren't expired, etc.

5/6/2008 2:36:50 PM

1-800 contacts

5/6/2008 2:42:03 PM

costco, bj's, wal-mart, sams club.

i think sams was cheapest last time around.

costco second.

5/6/2008 3:43:02 PM

oh i need a years supply (box) not a pair

5/6/2008 4:17:24 PM

any new suggestions? I'm too cheap to dish out $200 when I'm sure there are better deals out there

3/19/2013 10:43:57 PM

The fuck? OP paid $25 for a box?! Retarded.

After insurance I pay about $60-80 for a years supply. Fine by me. He usually gives me awesome samples of solution every time I'm in, and if I'm on my last pair at my appointment, he'll give me a set for free.

I DO wish I could just buy the contacts and not have to do that stupid freakin' eye poof test. AUGH. As someone with a slight phobia of things poking themselves in my eyes, it freaks me out significantly.

So, sorry, I have no suggestions :X

3/19/2013 10:54:52 PM

I don't think she paid $25/box

I think that's what her optometrist was trying to charge her, thus she made this thread, to ask for cheaper alternatives

3/19/2013 10:59:45 PM

Quote :

"my optometrist wants $25 for a pair of contacts"

reading comprehension, it's a beautiful thing.

3/20/2013 8:42:08 AM

I tried 1-800 Contacts but they just shipped me contacts that were labelled correctly on the box but when inserted didn't enhance my viewing (lol I can't figure out how to say that in english)

It was such a hassle to send back and get a refund, the customer support was ridiculous

3/20/2013 9:01:44 AM

I'm really mad that 1-800-Contacts actually calls your eye doctor to verify your prescription, they used to just take your word for it. Now i have to go pay $100 for a "fitting" even though I've been wearing contacts for 17 years and can tell if they fit. Fuck you 1-800-Contacts

3/20/2013 9:07:04 AM

Between my insurance and a rebate for $20 I got a year's supply of contacts (4 boxes) from Eye Care Associates in Cameron Village for $80.

3/20/2013 10:38:46 AM

Well, then she said later she needed a box

And man, as I said, get a nice optometrist, and mine will give me a free pair.

Dr. Uwe Canting all the way.

3/20/2013 10:59:18 AM

CLEcontactlenses.com

3/20/2013 11:39:14 AM

I used an Eye Care Associates in high school that has been closed now for about 10 years. Last year I was still ordering contacts from 1800contacts with my old prescription from them. I finally went back to the eye doctor recently at the request of my doctor and dermatologist, no change in my contact prescription.

3/20/2013 11:44:44 AM

darned astigmatism

cheapest I can find them is $45/box unless I buy 8 boxes, which drops them to $37/box

3/20/2013 12:23:25 PM

Apologies for the slight derail, but do your contacts correct your astigmatism completely? Mine don't appear to, it's like things are both sharp and blurred at the same time.

3/20/2013 12:36:44 PM

With my nearsightedness and astigmatism, I see better with contacts than with glasses

3/20/2013 12:39:25 PM

^^^I have an astigmatism

^^no they don't entirely for me.

3/20/2013 3:02:32 PM

do optometrists around here still require you to get an updated exam from them every year in order for them to release the prescription that i'll need to get contacts and glasses elsewhere?

or is that just their scam

3/21/2013 12:27:58 AM

Technically, I think that the answer is yes. But I know that my brother has managed to get away with ordering online with a "stale" prescription.

3/21/2013 12:34:37 AM

not to sound snooty, but don't most of you guys that wear glasses/contacts have vision insurance? It's pretty inexpensive IME.

3/21/2013 9:05:42 AM

it costs lest for me to just buy contacts than get vision insurance. my general insurance covers any kind of accident to my eye, just not corrective lenses, so for me its not worth it.

3/21/2013 9:06:51 AM

Aha. Vision insurance costs me around $10/mo and from that I get $150 towards contacts/glasses and a free eye exam every year.

3/21/2013 10:13:46 AM

please educate me on how to order online with a "stale" prescription...feel free to PM me.

3/22/2013 4:19:26 PM

make up a name of a dental office and doctor and give a fake number, or give them a google voice number and talk to them yourself

3/22/2013 5:08:01 PM

i have no idea why i typed dental

3/22/2013 6:23:12 PM

Because its Mr. Chow's Dental and Vision Service in Bangkok... They also do open heart surgery when you go in for the 4th time.

Quote :

"do optometrists around here still require you to get an updated exam from them every year in order for them to release the prescription that i'll need to get contacts and glasses elsewhere?"

It's 2 years.

I might try to see if I can do contacts since they are cheaper and more advanced; my last attempt was in high school and it did not bold well. Finger 0, Eye 1.

3/22/2013 6:39:14 PM

Itt people don't realize some contacts cost more than others. Hopefully I've worn my last pair.

3/23/2013 2:17:51 PM

I've found costco/sams club to be the cheapest, as others have mentioned.

However, for those who have an out of date prescription (or will soon, I guess)... I originally got my contacts on 1-800-contacts when they were having a sale (and my prescription was still good). Then, after it ran out, I just reordered and even though my prescription was out, they send them anyway. So I guess you could keep riding this, but they're not the cheapest.

3/24/2013 1:03:18 PM