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Contact Lenses

Contact Lenses

Old Jan 30th 2008, 10:15 am
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Default Contact Lenses

Hi,

First, sorry if this has been posted about before, I have searched past threads but still slightly unsure about things so could do with some advice on what others have done....

moving for two years to Orange County, CA - would you suggest buying bulk lot of lenses before I went? how does the opticians system work? can I buy lenses online, giving UK opticians details but have them sent to a US address??

apologies if these questions appear rather obvious.... so many things to think about!

Thanks
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Old Jan 30th 2008, 12:39 pm
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Default Re: Contact Lenses

Originally Posted by EnglishRose84
Hi,

First, sorry if this has been posted about before, I have searched past threads but still slightly unsure about things so could do with some advice on what others have done....

moving for two years to Orange County, CA - would you suggest buying bulk lot of lenses before I went? how does the opticians system work? can I buy lenses online, giving UK opticians details but have them sent to a US address??

apologies if these questions appear rather obvious.... so many things to think about!

Thanks
Why would you want to buy 2 yrs supply of contacts...what if your prescription changes?

The regulations regarding eye tests and contacts probably differ from state to state. In NJ you must have a current prescription to purchase glasses or contacts...a prescription expires after 12 months. The supplier must have the original copy of the script...a copy will not do.

Last edited by Jerseygirl; Jan 30th 2008 at 12:42 pm.
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Old Jan 30th 2008, 12:47 pm
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Default Re: Contact Lenses

Originally Posted by Jerseygirl
Why would you want to buy 2 yrs supply of contacts...what if your prescription changes?

The regulations regarding eye tests and contacts probably differ from state to state. In NJ you must have a current prescription to purchase glasses or contacts...a prescription expires after 12 months. The supplier must have the original copy of the script...a copy will not do.
I wasn't thinking of buying 2 years supply, just enough to keep me going for a few months, until I get settled and organised enough to sort it out over in the US! Plus, I have a really good deal over in the UK - substantially cheaper than others I noticed after a quick websearch.
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Old Jan 30th 2008, 12:52 pm
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Default Re: Contact Lenses

Originally Posted by EnglishRose84
I wasn't thinking of buying 2 years supply, just enough to keep me going for a few months, until I get settled and organised enough to sort it out over in the US! Plus, I have a really good deal over in the UK - substantially cheaper than others I noticed after a quick websearch.
LOL Sorry I misread your post...it's still early here.

The cost will depend on the prescription. My daughter has quite a complicated prescription...she wears a new pair every 2 weeks. We pay less than $200 for a 6 mths supply.

I would certainly bring several months supply with you...it will be one less thing for you to do while you settle in.

Edit: This is where we get contacts from...it doesn't look as though you can get a quote on line.

http://www.costco.com/Service/Featur...uctNo=11173265

Last edited by Jerseygirl; Jan 30th 2008 at 12:58 pm.
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Old Jan 30th 2008, 1:11 pm
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Default Re: Contact Lenses

Originally Posted by Jerseygirl
LOL Sorry I misread your post...it's still early here.

The cost will depend on the prescription. My daughter has quite a complicated prescription...she wears a new pair every 2 weeks. We pay less than $200 for a 6 mths supply.

I would certainly bring several months supply with you...it will be one less thing for you to do while you settle in.

Edit: This is where we get contacts from...it doesn't look as though you can get a quote on line.

http://www.costco.com/Service/Featur...uctNo=11173265
Not to worry!!

Oh I'm sure my prescription will change - no doubt about that - my eyes are always getting worse! Was thinking of looking into laser surgery when I move - but will cross that bridge later!

Thanks for rough costings, that is more than I am currently paying (I'm also a two weekly disposable! with an annoying complicated prescription) but price is not extortionate.

It's all these little things to think about... so thanks for advice!
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Old Jan 30th 2008, 1:25 pm
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Default Re: Contact Lenses

http://www.1800contacts.com/
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Old Jan 30th 2008, 1:28 pm
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Default Re: Contact Lenses

Originally Posted by EnglishRose84
Not to worry!!

Oh I'm sure my prescription will change - no doubt about that - my eyes are always getting worse! Was thinking of looking into laser surgery when I move - but will cross that bridge later!

Thanks for rough costings, that is more than I am currently paying (I'm also a two weekly disposable! with an annoying complicated prescription) but price is not extortionate.

It's all these little things to think about... so thanks for advice!
I had successful lasik surgery 7 years ago...I had a very severe astigmatism. Give me a shout if there's anything you want to know about the procedure...if I can help I will.
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Old Jan 30th 2008, 1:28 pm
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Default Re: Contact Lenses

My prescription has not changed very much at all over the years.

I would definitely bring a year's supply if you can -- it will take a while to find an optometrist etc that you like unless you are willing to visit the quickie places. I'd also bring an up-to-date pair of specs and perhaps even prescription sunglass specs since you will be living in a very sunny place.

You'll be sorting out a lot of things and this is one that you can (with planning) put off for a while.
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Old Jan 30th 2008, 2:21 pm
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Default Re: Contact Lenses

sam's club and BJ's are other bulk stores you can get them on the cheap, but if you know what you need and stuff, that website posted by FB is worth a shout.
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Old Jan 30th 2008, 2:45 pm
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Default Re: Contact Lenses

Originally Posted by Bob
sam's club and BJ's are other bulk stores you can get them on the cheap, but if you know what you need and stuff, that website posted by FB is worth a shout.
True -- but you've got to have a prescription and I very much doubt they'd take a UK one! Any experience to the contrary -- let the OP know.
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Old Jan 30th 2008, 2:50 pm
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Default Re: Contact Lenses

Originally Posted by snowbunny
True -- but you've got to have a prescription and I very much doubt they'd take a UK one! Any experience to the contrary -- let the OP know.
Gave her the web site to check the prices and that the contacts she uses are available here -- I'm guessing she will need a US script. But she can now budget accordingly. Estimate around $100 for a U.S. eye check and script -- make sure you get a script specific to the contacts you intend to order. You do not have to get the contacts from the place where you have the eye check.
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Old Jan 30th 2008, 2:54 pm
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Default Re: Contact Lenses

Originally Posted by fatbrit
Gave her the web site to check the prices and that the contacts she uses are available here -- I'm guessing she will need a US script. But she can now budget accordingly. Estimate around $100 for a U.S. eye check and script -- make sure you get a script specific to the contacts you intend to order. You do not have to get the contacts from the place where you have the eye check.
Last sentence is true though Texas only recently (< 5 years) did not require the prescriber to give the patient the written Rx. There had to be legions of complaints about the prescribers running their own overpriced optical shops before Texas forced the prescriber to give the *contact lens* script. They'd happily give you the spec script, but you still have to ask rather forcefully for the contact lens script.

If I was only gonna be here two years (or two years overseas in my case) I would just get buy on a two years' supply and my glasses.
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Old Jan 30th 2008, 3:00 pm
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Default Re: Contact Lenses

Many thanks for all the replies and advice.

I guessed a UK prescription would have no credit in the US - gosh though $100 for an eye test! I've got to get used to these prices.... all this for being as blind as a bat! Mine is free at the moment in the UK! I will def have one just before I go out and then get a years supply of lenses to take with me.
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Old Jan 30th 2008, 3:03 pm
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Default Re: Contact Lenses

Originally Posted by EnglishRose84
Many thanks for all the replies and advice.

I guessed a UK prescription would have no credit in the US - gosh though $100 for an eye test! I've got to get used to these prices.... all this for being as blind as a bat! Mine is free at the moment in the UK! I will def have one just before I go out and then get a years supply of lenses to take with me.
Well... change 50 quid into 100 USD.... and you're sorted. The exchange rate is great for people with GBP.
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Old Jan 30th 2008, 4:19 pm
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Default Re: Contact Lenses

I brought a years supply with me as I got them free under the health insurance I had in the last country I lived in. I just threw 6 months worth away as my prescription had changed enough that they were giving me headaches. In my case I didn't lose any money, but if you pay out of your own pocket it would hurt.
I pay $40 for 45 pairs of daily disposables at LensCrafters, which is after my health insurance plan's discount. Costco charges more for these. You can also check prices on LensCrafter's website. I also got a discount on my eye test and contact lens exam through my insurance.
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