Contacts/glasses

[twodogsandababy]

I get all of my eyecare stuff at Costco. Even if I used my old insurance and went to one of their places, it was cheaper for me to just pay out of pocket at Costco than anywhere else I had found, including online. I have to wear toric contacts and it is not a common brand (I have special eyes) but it's been the only brand out of many that have not been terrible. I spend $100/6 months of contacts and get new glasses every other year, which is about $200. My ins now only covers a standard exam, so I have to pay for the contact part, usually $90, I do that every other year. So, I guess monthly, it costs me around $21 to be able to see.

[aspentosh]

Usually around $500 a year. Having an astigmatism sucks.

[madringal]

I have an astigmatism as well. I pay $20 for contacts a year and my exams are free with my VSP.

My sister is also an optometrist about 3 hours away, so if I have random eye issues, I can often go to her/call rather then have to pay for an office visit. She also always seems to have an endless supply of contact cases and saline samples. It is a great perk!

[Deleted]

Jan 8, 2013 11:24:47 GMT -5 aspentosh said:

Usually around $500 a year. Having an astigmatism sucks.

ditto

[mrssavy42112]

It's about $150 a year for my contacts. Previously my eye exams were free under my father's insurance, but now I'll have to pay around $100 for the next exam.

[blueshirt2003]

I can't wear contact but eyeglasses only.

If I just get new lenses before insurance it's $250.

I can get a new frame every other year.

Anyways, I usually spend $300 a year on glasses.

[dcn]

My contacts are $135 for a six month supply. My glasses are 5 years old b/c I paid like $300 for them and I don't want to pay that again! I only wear them to get from the bed to the bathroom though. My insurance covers an annual exam.

My DH also wears contacts, his run about $300 a year. He gets glasses free through the military.

Add in saline solution, etc and we probably top out around $700 or so when it is all said and done during the year.

[Ashley&Scott]

Typically $400/yr each for me & DH, sometimes more.

I paid $300ish for my current pair of glasses, that was after my insurance covered 1/2. This was the first year my exam was 100% covered, in the past I paid $100 OOP for it.

DH's contacts are $125 per lens, he has gas permeable contacts. It's $30 if they need buffed. I have no idea how much he spends on soaking & cleaning solutions, I'd say $100ish per year.

[flygirl22]

I think I probably spend 250/year including contact solution. Glasses every few years.

If it were more I would likely consider Lasik because I really want it. I just don't want to pay for it right now.

[sweetredheadx]

My contacts are about $80 per contact. I have to wear gas perm due to my eye condition. There is a new kind called hybrid that I want to look into. They are $150 each. At some point I will have my corneas replaced and I hope then I will not have to change my prescription as often.

My glasses are about 300 after insurance because they have to be special. I hate my eyes.

[puppyluv]

I spent $300 on glasses a few years ago and since then I only pay ~$45 for my exam each year.

I also have daily contacts. I usually only spend what insurance will reimburse and buy my contacts on line because they are cheaper than the dr. office. I have to submit my reimbursement myself and wait a month to get it but I get more contacts for what my insurance covers. I wear my glasses for work/weekends and only contacts when I am going out with friends or want to look nicer.

[MrsE]

Jan 8, 2013 11:36:56 GMT -5 @iheartcosmos said:

Jan 8, 2013 11:24:47 GMT -5 aspentosh said:

Usually around $500 a year. Having an astigmatism sucks.

ditto

Tritto. Especially when you need to wear dailies.


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[heygrey]

I wear glasses all the time. Before insurance an exam and complete pair came to $388. I paid $88 since I get $300 every two years for basic eye care. I'm happy with that since I've paid oop for all of it before.

[niq]

I think I pay $110 or $140 for a monthly supply of disposable lenses. The insurance has pretty good coverage for frames -- I think I got a $300 pair for about $150 last time. The exam is free on my insurance once every 2 years.

[midnightrae]

I don't wear contacts anymore, but last year when I bought my glasses I only had to pay about $100 OOP.

[glynn2009]

I had Lasik done 9 years ago so I am good for now. For DD2 we just paid $65 for exam and $79 for glasses, she is 5. For DH $65 for exam and $400 for glasses. DS and DD1 has other insurance that I do not pay for, they have been in contact for years.

[martygras]

$89 a year for my eye exam and contacts with insurance. My glasses are a once every so often purchase and they were $195 this year. My eyes are apparently cheap or we have good insurance.

[ESF]

A few years ago, contacts were getting increasingly uncomfortable for me, and it was recommended to me that I switch to daily contact lenses for the same reason as OP. Instead, I switched to a full time glasses wearer. I have a stash of old contacts that I keep for long hikes or going on on sunny days, but since I'm not wearing them that much, and am mostly wearing them outdoors (where they bother me less), I can get by on cheaper kinds.

Glasses are still expensive, but I look at them in terms of a truly fabulous accessory. In terms of the per wear cost, they are a better value than most pieces of jewelry.

My vision has stablized, so I can keep the same pair for years, which brings down the cost.

[midnightrae]

Jan 8, 2013 15:11:00 GMT -5 glynn2009 said:

I had Lasik done 9 years ago so I am good for now. For DD2 we just paid $65 for exam and $79 for glasses, she is 5. For DH $65 for exam and $400 for glasses. DS and DD1 has other insurance that I do not pay for, they have been in contact for years.

If you don't mind me asking, how much did you pay for Lasik? I've thought about getting it done, but I'm not sure.