Process for buying contact lenses - really?
 

I just got my prescription for contact lenses and it's identical to my previous one so I call around for prices and discover that Walmart is the cheapest option, then I'm told that to order the lenses I need to make an appointment with their optician to have my eyes measured, prescription checked, etc. Seriously, isn't that what they did when I went to get my original prescription!!!!
I queried the need and was told that's the process here in NB. I just wondered if it was a requirement anywhere else?

Re: Process for buying contact lenses - really?
 

Why not just get them online? I haven't bought contacts from an optician in years. The ones I wear (Biofinity extended wear multifocals) are $150 for 6 months from the site I frequent here in Australia or $400 from the optician.

Contact Lenses, Designer Eyeglasses, Sunglasses & More | ClearlyContacts.caâ„¢

Re: Process for buying contact lenses - really?
 

Unless they're getting their pricing wrong Walmart are cheaper than the online options I've found both in Canada and the US.
Clearly Contacts prices are much higher, even with their rebate offer (and rebates are so unreliable).

Re: Process for buying contact lenses - really?
 

Does your prescription have the base curve and diameter numbers on it ?

If sounds like they are having a laugh.

You could take the prescription anywhere. At least that's how it works in Ontario.

And I agree about clearly contacts. My local independent optometrist is cheaper for my lenses

Re: Process for buying contact lenses - really?
 

Yes - prescription has all of the information that's needed. They say that they need to take all the measurements for their own records. Initially they said they needed to check that I could put them in, and the fit, but under a lot of circumstances that wouldn't even be possible!!
They kind of hesitated when I asked if they charged, then said no, but it's just a total pain to have to get an appointment (very limited times) and go through a process which adds no value.

Re: Process for buying contact lenses - really?
 

Sounds odd. Guess it depends if the price difference is worth the hassle.
Do you have another optometrist you could take prescription to?

Re: Process for buying contact lenses - really?
 

Walmart price is 50% of my optometrist and 40% less than Clearly Contacts, so it's probably worth the hassle, but will call some other places just to be sure it's a provincial thing and check their prices.

Re: Process for buying contact lenses - really?
 

You could always pull the " new immigrant " card and sweetly ask them to point you in the direction of the provincial law they are quoting

Re: Process for buying contact lenses - really?
 

Good idea, I got my contacts from Walmart here in a Ontario. I just showed them my recent prescription and I got the lenses. So if it's a law it's definitely Provincial, so I agree with Zoe, get them to show it to you.

Re: Process for buying contact lenses - really?
 

Probably just trying to get money from the insurance company for conducting a test.

A bit like Dentists when they encourage patients to have something done for no other reason that they've not used up their annual coverage.

Re: Process for buying contact lenses - really?
 

My prescription hadn't changed but was a year old and they refused to sell me more before I got my eyes checked again, they did give me some free lenses though, this was a local opticians. I've not tried Walmart.

Re: Process for buying contact lenses - really?
 

Try another Wal-Mart and see if they say the same thing?

Are the vision centers in Wal-Mart owned by them or 3rd party running them?

Re: Process for buying contact lenses - really?
 

I don't care if someone finds me on linkedin. I don't use it for jobs or job contacts and have changed everything to things completely unrelated to me. Only thing that is real is my name.

Re: Process for buying contact lenses - really?
 

Maybe you could use some lenses to find the correct thread !! :)

( before anyone accuses me of being rude.... I'm only kidding. Thought it was funny that's all)

Re: Process for buying contact lenses - really?
 

Mine are now covered through insurance but in the first couple of years I was here it was cheaper to buy them in the UK and have my dad post them to me.

Re: Process for buying contact lenses - really?
 

They're third party, just like the pharmacies.

Re: Process for buying contact lenses - really?
 

Oop's. Not even sure how I managed that one....:rofl:

I do have glasses, but doc said only need to wear them at night when driving.....;)

Re: Process for buying contact lenses - really?
 

I took my son's prescription into Costco last week along with 2 boxes of his brand news lenses from his own eye doctor and asked Costco to quote their price for the same lenses. They told me they would need to measure his eyes. Eh what????

Re: Process for buying contact lenses - really?
 

So Walmart have now decided they do charge for their "test" - a mere $15 to check exactly what a qualified optometrist did 2 weeks ago!!! They can't provide any supporting documentation as to the rationale for needing to check someone else's work, but they are cheaper than Vogue Optical who want $50 for the test (although they do apply that as a credit to the final bill, maybe???).

Re: Process for buying contact lenses - really?
 

I'm sorry ..... Can I just confirm some facts here..

You ( or family member) went to a specific optometrist at Walmart to get contact lens prescription

When you returned to the same branch to order the lenses they need another test which costs 15 dollars.

I know they are cheaper but Id be really tempted to tell them where to go.

Was it explained to you thAT they'd charge you what is effectively an ordering fee?

Were you wearing lenses when you had the exam?

I'd be asking for a copy of their complaints procedure and reporting them to what ever body was appropriate.

The only thing I can think of is if it is a different branch or optometrist then they could argue that lenses have to be dispensed under the supervision of a qualified practioner.
They could argue they have a duty of care to conduct a fitting exam

I know that in some practice's not all the staff are qualified to dispense lenses

Re: Process for buying contact lenses - really?
 

I didn't have my eyes tested at Walmart but I wanted to buy my contact lenses there because they would be much cheaper than the optometrist who tested my eyes (at least 50% cheaper).

I have a 2 week old Rx from a qualified optometrist which is valid for 2 years, however unless I buy from that optometrist I have to have a test to check that the details on the Rx are correct. According to the opticians I've spoken to this is a provincial requirement (although no one can provide the actual details of this), and the opticians charge for this test, although some then offset the cost against the purchase of the lenses.

In the case of Vogue Optical the test is $50, lasts for 1 hour and takes detailed measurements of my eyes. In the case of Walmart it's $15 ant takes 20 minutes, so there's no consistency :confused:

Re: Process for buying contact lenses - really?
 

I couldn't find anything to match that.

I did find several references to prescriptions not always including Pupillary Distance (PD), as if that was a sneaky way of reducing the likelihood of losing the rest of your business because another supplier would want to measure it and then charge.

Now, this was for specs and not contact lenses but I suppose you might get staff who know it happens for glasses and just apply it to everyone.

I also read someone 'in the business' who said sometimes they measure pupil size for contact lenses. They didn't say why only sometimes, so it might be something not always relevant for the patient.

So something similar could be going on as for the PD aspect. If there's no reference to it on the prescription, the supplier of the contact lenses may feel they might be supplying lenses inappropriately because they haven't been able to confirm it.

Could be a liability issue, or at least bad publicity.

Maybe that 20 minute check for $20 is that measurement while the longer check for $50 is a "well we have to do a pupil measurement, we might as well do the other stuff too."

Re: Process for buying contact lenses - really?
 

If there was some sort of regulation, then presumably online dispensing opticians like clearycontacts.ca are in regular (constant?) breach of that regulation for every prescription they fill? That strikes me as complete nonsense. However, if it's still way cheaper, i'd be tempted to just pay up the $15 as a Walmart convenience-tax and move on.

But then again: contact lens prescriptions normally have two extra bits of information in addition to the basic scrip - the base curve and the lens diameter. Some manufacturers make lenses in various sizes. Could it be this information they look for when they check your eyes before selling you contacts? (i.e. not a prescription check at all, just a physical check for measurements?)

Re: Process for buying contact lenses - really?
 

I called my optometrist in BC and asked if they would fill a prescription from another doctor without an eye exam by their doctor and they said no, you have to get another test prior to them filling it.


My guess is it could be a liability issue and some places are not willing to put their trust into another doctor and want to confirm the prescription is correct.

And of course its also a money maker for them.

If Wal-Mart is still cheaper after the $15, pay it and go with them, you probably won't get them to waive it.

Re: Process for buying contact lenses - really?
 

Yes welcome to Canada, where optometry is a con.

Re: Process for buying contact lenses - really?
 

I found them online at Contacts Express cheaper they were a ton cheaper than Walmart or the opticians, super fast service too!

Re: Process for buying contact lenses - really?
 

It must depend on the lenses - the ones I was looking at are 25% more with Contacts Express :eek::eek:

Re: Process for buying contact lenses - really?
 

I just put my prescription in there and it worked out to *exactly* the same price as what my optometrist charges.

And I've just banged it into a couple of US websites too, taking into account the difference in the exchange rate, also exactly the same price.

If that isn't price fixing I don't know what is.

Re: Process for buying contact lenses - really?
 

My optometrist does price comparisons with online retailers and makes competetive offers.

Re: Process for buying contact lenses - really?
 

You must all have prescriptions where there is more price competition possible, is all I can surmise. I've never had any luck.

Re: Process for buying contact lenses - really?
 

I think for Red Deer there are so many optitians that to survive you have to be competitive. I am however looking elsewhere for specs as $181 per lense plus the cost of frames is ridiculous.