Contact Lenses - I'm getting the hard sell.

[Fastpedeller]

I've been using contact lenses for about 30 years, generally once or twice a week for sport and have never had any problems (comfort or otherwise). Have used daily disposables for about 25 years, for 2 reasons..... Better hygiene and (if only using twice a week) more economical. I recently visited Opticians (locum Optometrist, which seems the norm these days), and they've said I should try some sample ones which 'may be more comfortable'. The first ones I tried and they felt like grit in one eye (these were meant to be the 'Rolls Royce' ones.) When I looked at the box for second samples (same manufacturer as my present ones) it looked familiar, and indeed the substrate, water content etc is the same as the ones I have, except for the name on the box! I 'phoned the Optician today to ensure a Optometrist would be present to sign off the prescription when I return next week. I was told the O may not sign off for my present make/brand as 'they are being discontinued early next year' I pointed out that I'd buy a year's supply anyway, so what's the issue. The present make/brand is basically being 'rebranded' with a new name and increased by 53% in price - all other details remain the same. It seems (like visiting the GP) the patient, customer, mug (call them what we will) is expected to have no say in the matter. Anyone care to comment or advise?

[Tiggsy]

can u not just find the ones you like online??? Can't think I've had lenses from the actual eye test place in years.

[southendpier]

i got fed up with all this nonsense with changing suppliers and changing Direct Debits (always upwards) for supposedly 'better lenses' . So after 25 years I opted for lazer treatment. Should've done it years ago.

[Fastpedeller]

Tiggsy said:

can u not just find the ones you like online??? Can't think I've had lenses from the actual eye test place in years.

They supply online as well as at their optician - It's the online price I've looked at. I need the prescription to get them, and (it looks like) they'll give the prescription for the newest ones. looking more closely at the specs (comparing new with old0 they are the same material, with a couple of added fluids in the solution, but there are also (albeit slight) diameter and base circle dimensional differences. I'd prefer to stay with the one I know have worked for many years.

[Tyre Smoke]

Always buy mine from Vision Direct.

So much cheaper, no hard sell from the optician. Plus choose whatever brand you want, or try something new.

[CrgT16]

What he said!

[Tyre Smoke]

Fastpedeller said:

They supply online as well as at their optician - It's the online price I've looked at. I need the prescription to get them, and (it looks like) they'll give the prescription for the newest ones. looking more closely at the specs (comparing new with old0 they are the same material, with a couple of added fluids in the solution, but there are also (albeit slight) diameter and base circle dimensional differences. I'd prefer to stay with the one I know have worked for many years.

Vision Direct trust you to input your own prescription details. I buy my and my son's (he needs toric) much more cheaply than the optician with their Direct Debit scheme.

[Tiggsy]

Just get the script off your eye guy and use it to buy anything you like online

[Mr Pointy]

Stop buying your lenses from your optician. Just pay him to take care of your eye examinations & issue you with a prescription & then use one of the numerous online supliers. If he won't do that then find another optician.

I've always found there's little choice about diameter & base curve & it's never made much difference to me when compared with the different lens types - I find Acuvue Oasys very comfortable.

[Fastpedeller]

As I understand it changing to another make can give difficulty (base circle or diameter need to be the same or very close to contacts successfully used before surely?) and there's the potential of the fluid not being compatible? If the Opt will only issue the prescription with one make/model of lens then that will only be good as long as that make/model is produced? If I want the most economical (cheapest) lens it wouldn't seem to be a good idea for me to buy without trying, and then I've got the whole cycle (of hygiene/comfort) again. As the Opt has what I want (and at a good price) on their website, I don't see why she should have a problem writing out the prescription for those as they've worked ok for years, and she's done the hygiene check with them last week. I'll just buy enough for the next year and tackle the problem after that

[pincher]

southendpier said:

i got fed up with all this nonsense with changing suppliers and changing Direct Debits (always upwards) for supposedly 'better lenses' . So after 25 years I opted for lazer treatment. Should've done it years ago.

How much was it? And did you get it done locally?

[Mr Pointy]

Fastpedeller said:

As I understand it changing to another make can give difficulty (base circle or diameter need to be the same or very close to contacts successfully used before surely?) and there's the potential of the fluid not being compatible? If the Opt will only issue the prescription with one make/model of lens then that will only be good as long as that make/model is produced? If I want the most economical (cheapest) lens it wouldn't seem to be a good idea for me to buy without trying, and then I've got the whole cycle (of hygiene/comfort) again. As the Opt has what I want (and at a good price) on their website, I don't see why she should have a problem writing out the prescription for those as they've worked ok for years, and she's done the hygiene check with them last week. I'll just buy enough for the next year and tackle the problem after that

No, you have much more choice. Most lenses aren't available in a range of diameters or base curve. The diameter of most dailies & monthlies is around 14.2 with maybe 0.1 difference between brands. Base curve is usually around 8.5 ish & again it's rare there's a choice within a particular brand. Cleaning fluid is just what you are comfortable with. Pretty much any fluid for lenses is compatible with the lens but you may react a bit differently to them (this is true for softs, hard lenses are different).

If you've found a lens brand you like just pay her for the prescription & buy online.

[Fastpedeller]

Mr Pointy said:

Fastpedeller said:

As I understand it changing to another make can give difficulty (base circle or diameter need to be the same or very close to contacts successfully used before surely?) and there's the potential of the fluid not being compatible? If the Opt will only issue the prescription with one make/model of lens then that will only be good as long as that make/model is produced? If I want the most economical (cheapest) lens it wouldn't seem to be a good idea for me to buy without trying, and then I've got the whole cycle (of hygiene/comfort) again. As the Opt has what I want (and at a good price) on their website, I don't see why she should have a problem writing out the prescription for those as they've worked ok for years, and she's done the hygiene check with them last week. I'll just buy enough for the next year and tackle the problem after that

No, you have much more choice. Most lenses aren't available in a range of diameters or base curve. The diameter of most dailies & monthlies is around 14.2 with maybe 0.1 difference between brands. Base curve is usually around 8.5 ish & again it's rare there's a choice within a particular brand. Cleaning fluid is just what you are comfortable with. Pretty much any fluid for lenses is compatible with the lens but you may react a bit differently to them (this is true for softs, hard lenses are different).

If you've found a lens brand you like just pay her for the prescription & buy online.

These are disposable daily lenses, so not cleaning fluids but the fluids that come 'in' the lens. mine are BC 8.6 and 13.8 diameter - the ones she's suggested are BC 8.5 and 14.1 (which felt very uncomfortable - these were the 'Rolls Royce' ones) or the same make as I use but BC 8.7 and Diam 14.0 and apart from a slight fluid change, a 53% increase.

[Gertrude]

Tyre Smoke said:

Always buy mine from Vision Direct.

So much cheaper, no hard sell from the optician. Plus choose whatever brand you want, or try something new.

https://www.contactlenses.co.uk are a similar set up, used them for many years.

[Tyre Smoke]

Have a look on the online sites at daily disposables. I always used to buy Focus Dailies but when they stopped being sold moved to Clariti Multivision which are varifocal dailies. Have to say, the Vision Direct 'own brand' dailies are good value.

[stackmonkey]

Contact Lenses - I'm getting the hard sell

So what you need is some softcell..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZVpR3Pk-r8

[Baby Shark doo doo doo doo]

We use Lenstore. £10 a pack cheaper than the opticians with next day delivery rather than “we’ll call you when they’re ready to collect”.

[Fastpedeller]

Fastpedeller said:

As I understand it changing to another make can give difficulty (base circle or diameter need to be the same or very close to contacts successfully used before surely?) and there's the potential of the fluid not being compatible? If the Opt will only issue the prescription with one make/model of lens then that will only be good as long as that make/model is produced? If I want the most economical (cheapest) lens it wouldn't seem to be a good idea for me to buy without trying, and then I've got the whole cycle (of hygiene/comfort) again. As the Opt has what I want (and at a good price) on their website, I don't see why she should have a problem writing out the prescription for those as they've worked ok for years, and she's done the hygiene check with them last week. I'll just buy enough for the next year and tackle the problem after that

Update - went back today with the box from the old ones and the prescription was written out the same - The problem will be tackled next year.
As an aside, the 2 samples I tried (from same manufacturer) didn't feel as good as my originals - the most expensive felt like sandpaper, and at only 33% water content I'm not surprised! The 'replacement product' for the originals has a diameter of 14.2 (c/f 13.8 for originals) and kept moving up and down when I blinked, so it would appear not compatible. I'll probably end up sampling other manufacturer's products next time (as indeed the Opt indicated)
Thanks for the responses.

[good grief]

I’ve been using monthly’s for at least five years, always ordered from local optician, however past 12 months I have been getting them from our local Costco, half the price and great service.