Using Insurance to Purchase Contact Lenses

Insurance is not necessary when purchasing contact lenses but it can greatly reduce the out of pocket expense for the patient. It is important to realize not all eye care providers will accept all types of insurance coverage. Prior to making an appointment for an eye exam, inquire as to whether the provider accepts your insurance plan. Once you select a provider, review your coverage information carefully to determine the out of pocket expense required to purchase contact lenses. This information can be used to comparison shop for affordable contact lenses and to determine whether or not your eye care provider offers you the best possible rate on lenses.

Chronic Dry Eyes Can Increase the Cost of Wearing Contact Lenses

Those who have chronic dry eyes may find the cost of rewetting drops significantly adds to the overall cost of wearing contact lenses. Most contact lens wearers require only frequent use of rewetting drops but those with chronic dry eyes may need to use the drops several times each day. The cost of rewetting drops is generally around $5-$10, which may seem insignificant but it can add up if they are needed often.

The Cost of Contact Lens Cases

The price of contact lens cases can vary significantly. Cases which are merely functional may cost less than $1.00 per case. However, contact lens wearers can also purchase more elaborate cases for a higher price. More expensive cases usually only differ from the less expensive models in the appearance of the case. More expensive cases may include features such as graphics, mirrors or additional storage space for cleaning solutions, glasses or spare contact lenses.

Hidden Costs of Contact Lenses

When considering contact lenses it is important to consider costs such as cleaning solutions, replacement lenses, and travel and carrying cases as part of your purchasing decision. Many patients carefully evaluate the cost of the examination, fitting and lenses but neglect to consider the additional costs involved with caring for contact lenses. Cleaning solutions are the most significant additional cost involved with wearing contact lenses. An eye care provider will recommend a cleaning regimen including a specific brand of cleaning solution. Substituting a less expensive brand may compromise eye health and comfort.

You can get manufacturer rebates and sales on some brands, so check online or at your local drugstore for coupons before buying. Also, your eye care professional may also offer discounts on specific brands and solutions.

The Cost of Contact Lenses

It is not possible to provide an exact cost for contact lenses. This is because the cost of contacts will depend on a wide variety of factors such as the type of lens, strength of the prescription and complexity of prescription. For example, a rigid contact lens with a bifocal prescription will be significantly more expensive than a disposable lens with only one prescription. After an examination and a fitting, an eye care professional can determine which type of contact lens is best for the patient and provide an approximate cost for these lenses.

The Importance of a Proper Contact Lens Fitting

A proper contact lens fitting is a very important part of the process of prescribing contact lenses. A fitting involves taking eye measurements and extensively evaluating the health of the cornea. This information is important because it will enable the health care provider to select contact lenses which will be both functional and comfortable for the patient. Most eye care providers charge an additional fee for these services but the fee is well worth the extra money because it is important to the comfort and health of the eye.

The Cost of Eye Examinations for Contact Lens Wearers

The cost of eye examinations for contact lens wearers can vary widely from one eye doctor to another in the same area, and even more drastically across different cities and states. In general, eye examinations for contact lens wearers are more expensive than examinations for those who wear glasses only or do not require vision correction. Examinations for those who wear contact lenses are more costly because the eye care professional must examine the eye more closely and perform additional tests to ensure the contact lenses he prescribes will be ideal for the patient.