8 boxes of contacts per prescription per year?

Markhedder · #1 (**permalink**) 06-28-2010, 09:00 PM

I went to get an eye exam and got a prescription for contact lenses. I had ordered 3 boxes of contacts to start me off. Half a year later, I tried to order a yearly supply (8 boxes) of contact lenses and they told me that I could only order 4 due to my optometrist.

So when I went to talk to my optometrist, they said I could only buy 8 boxes limit for my prescription. Is this the case with anyone else? Are they allowed to do this? I feel that doesn't sound right to me somehow. I've been doing some Google searches but couldn't find if they are allowed to do this.

Knotlob · #2 (**permalink**) 06-29-2010, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Markhedder

I went to get an eye exam and got a prescription for contact lenses. I had ordered 3 boxes of contacts to start me off. Half a year later, I tried to order a yearly supply (8 boxes) of contact lenses and they told me that I could only order 4 due to my optometrist.

So when I went to talk to my optometrist, they said I could only buy 8 boxes limit for my prescription. Is this the case with anyone else? Are they allowed to do this? I feel that doesn't sound right to me somehow. I've been doing some Google searches but couldn't find if they are allowed to do this.

That doesn't sound right. I think if you looked at our sponsor's web page (click on the red banner, www.lens.com) you would be able to order as many lenses as you wanted, provided the prescription was still within date.

But be aware that your eye sight may change, particularly if you are young and you may wish not to order an excessive amount of lenses until you have your next eye check.

Really you should have your eyes checked once/year if wearing contact lenses.

knotlob

Ragnarox · #3 (**permalink**) 06-29-2010, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

That doesn't sound right. I think if you looked at our sponsor's web page (click on the red banner, www.lens.com) you would be able to order as many lenses as you wanted, provided the prescription was still within date.

But be aware that your eye sight may change, particularly if you are young and you may wish not to order an excessive amount of lenses until you have your next eye check.

Really you should have your eyes checked once/year if wearing contact lenses.

knotlob

That's a good point, knotlob. If a person is young, say in their teen years, then they may not want to order a year's supply of contact lenses because they might need a whole different prescription in six or nine months.

Mondas2 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-15-2010, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Markhedder

I went to get an eye exam and got a prescription for contact lenses. I had ordered 3 boxes of contacts to start me off. Half a year later, I tried to order a yearly supply (8 boxes) of contact lenses and they told me that I could only order 4 due to my optometrist.

So when I went to talk to my optometrist, they said I could only buy 8 boxes limit for my prescription. Is this the case with anyone else? Are they allowed to do this? I feel that doesn't sound right to me somehow. I've been doing some Google searches but couldn't find if they are allowed to do this.

I've never heard of a limit on the number of boxes you can buy. I can see why you might not want to buy five years' worth of contacts, but a year's supply seems reasonable to me.

Knotlob · #5 (**permalink**) 10-15-2010, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mondas2

I've never heard of a limit on the number of boxes you can buy. I can see why you might not want to buy five years' worth of contacts, but a year's supply seems reasonable to me.

You said you had used 3 boxes of lenses in half a year, so another four would take you to the end of the year or just beyond. Looks like the optician is trying to force you to stick to just sufficient for the one year. How long is your prescription valid for - one year or longer?

Of course you don't have to buy the lenses from your eye care professional. You can buy from an on-line store like Lens.com. The Fairness to contact lens Wearers Act in the US, states that the prescriber (i.e. your eye care professional) must give you a copy of your prescription, even if you don't ask for it.

It also states that you don't have to buy the lenses from your optician. The prescription must last for the length of time that the State in which you live specifies (unless there is a sound medical reason for making it shorter, in which case the optician must provide a proper medical explanation, which can be understood by another eye care professional).

http://business.ftc.gov/documents/bus62-contact-lens-rule-guide-prescribers-and-sellers

knotlob

Goldar · #6 (**permalink**) 10-18-2010, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

You said you had used 3 boxes of lenses in half a year, so another four would take you to the end of the year or just beyond. Looks like the optician is trying to force you to stick to just sufficient for the one year. How long is your prescription valid for - one year or longer?

Of course you don't have to buy the lenses from your eye care professional. You can buy from an on-line store like Lens.com. The Fairness to Contact Lens Wearers Act in the US, states that the prescriber (i.e. your eye care professional) must give you a copy of your prescription, even if you don't ask for it.

It also states that you don't have to buy the lenses from your optician. The prescription must last for the length of time that the State in which you live specifies (unless there is a sound medical reason for making it shorter, in which case the optician must provide a proper medical explanation, which can be understood by another eye care professional).

http://business.ftc.gov/documents/bus62-contact-lens-rule-guide-prescribers-and-sellers

knotlob

Thanks for that information about the Fairness to Contact Lens Wearers Act. Is there similar legislation in Europe?

Knotlob · #7 (**permalink**) 10-18-2010, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goldar

Thanks for that information about the Fairness to Contact Lens Wearers Act. Is there similar legislation in Europe?

I'm not sure about Europe. Probably yes, because the EU in Brussels is very big into competition. Certainly I have never had any problem being given a prescription without asking, but I did have to pay for my RGP lenses when I was being fitted, though I didn't pay extra for the second set when the base curve was modified to improve fit.

I also told my previous optician that I was not going to buy their (re-branded) soft lenses as I reserved the right to shop around. There was no argument over that, but of course I was happy to pay their fitting fee, etc.

knotlob

Eyerobot · #8 (**permalink**) 10-19-2010, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

I'm not sure about Europe. Probably yes, because the EU in Brussels is very big into competition. Certainly I have never had any problem being given a prescription without asking, but I did have to pay for my RGP lenses when I was being fitted, though I didn't pay extra for the second set when the base curve was modified to improve fit.

I also told my previous optician that I was not going to buy their (re-branded) soft lenses as I reserved the right to shop around. There was no argument over that, but of course I was happy to pay their fitting fee, etc.

knotlob

Thanks, Knotlob.

mgash · #9 (**permalink**) 12-20-2010, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Markhedder

I went to get an eye exam and got a prescription for contact lenses. I had ordered 3 boxes of contacts to start me off. Half a year later, I tried to order a yearly supply (8 boxes) of contact lenses and they told me that I could only order 4 due to my optometrist.

So when I went to talk to my optometrist, they said I could only buy 8 boxes limit for my prescription. Is this the case with anyone else? Are they allowed to do this? I feel that doesn't sound right to me somehow. I've been doing some Google searches but couldn't find if they are allowed to do this.

You are not buying a drug with dosage limits. You can buy as many as you want. Obviously you don't want to overbuy, since your Rx could change at a later time. Your prescription is good for 12 to 24 mos depending how your Dr. wrote it. If you buy a little over, you can still use them. They expire long after your Rx, and chances are if there is a change in your vision, it probably wouldn't be enough to make your prior lenses unusable.

mgash · #10 (**permalink**) 12-20-2010, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goldar

Thanks for that information about the Fairness to Contact Lens Wearers Act. Is there similar legislation in Europe?

Yes, in the UK I know there is. I would imagine most European countries have similar rules. Just fax/email your Rx to Lens.com and they'll sell you all you want at a fair price.

Privateyez · #11 (**permalink**) 12-21-2010, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgash

Yes, in the UK I know there is. I would imagine most European countries have similar rules. Just fax/email your Rx to Lens.com and they'll sell you all you want at a fair price.

All right! Way to sell the sponsor.

You're right though. The prices at Lens.com may not be bargain basement, but they are fair. You don't want to shop for something like contact lenses in the bargain basement anyway.

Goldar · #12 (**permalink**) 01-06-2011, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Privateyez

All right! Way to sell the sponsor.

You're right though. The prices at Lens.com may not be bargain basement, but they are fair. You don't want to shop for something like contact lenses in the bargain basement anyway.

That's true. I'm sure we can all share horror stories about buying things because they were cheap, and then finding out why they were so cheap. There's a difference between "cheap" and "inexpensive."

Eyerobot · #13 (**permalink**) 01-07-2011, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goldar

That's true. I'm sure we can all share horror stories about buying things because they were cheap, and then finding out why they were so cheap. There's a difference between "cheap" and "inexpensive."

That's right, Goldar. When shopping for contact lenses, don't buy them from someplace just because they have the lowest price. Myself, I like to get prices from four or five different places, and then look at two or three of the lowest prices and look a little closer for any indications of a lack of quality. Quite often I'll find a product and say "So that's why the price is so low. It's a piece of garbage."
Hopefully you can spot a "garbage" lens before you put it in your eye.

Privateyez · #14 (**permalink**) 01-26-2011, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goldar

That's true. I'm sure we can all share horror stories about buying things because they were cheap, and then finding out why they were so cheap. There's a difference between "cheap" and "inexpensive."

I know what you mean, Goldar.

Goldar · #15 (**permalink**) 02-25-2011, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Privateyez

I know what you mean, Goldar.

I thought you might. I'd ask you to tell us the story of when you bought something cheap and got what you paid for, but it might be a distraction from Acuvue Oasys contact lenses.

Privateyez · #16 (**permalink**) 03-01-2011, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goldar

I thought you might. I'd ask you to tell us the story of when you bought something cheap and got what you paid for, but it might be a distraction from Acuvue Oasys contact lenses.

I've got lots of stories like that, but not about Acuvue Oasys lenses, and I think that's a good thing.

mgash · #17 (**permalink**) 03-01-2011, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Markhedder

I went to get an eye exam and got a prescription for contact lenses. I had ordered 3 boxes of contacts to start me off. Half a year later, I tried to order a yearly supply (8 boxes) of contact lenses and they told me that I could only order 4 due to my optometrist.

So when I went to talk to my optometrist, they said I could only buy 8 boxes limit for my prescription. Is this the case with anyone else? Are they allowed to do this? I feel that doesn't sound right to me somehow. I've been doing some Google searches but couldn't find if they are allowed to do this.

Why are contacts packaged as 14 day lenses, with a supply of eight boxes of six lenses? This ads up to 336 days, what are you supposed to do for the following month? Why aren't contacts designed and packaged with a time frame that equates to a full year?

AllyCat · #18 (**permalink**) 03-02-2011, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgash

Why are contacts packaged as 14 day lenses, with a supply of eight boxes of six lenses? This ads up to 336 days, what are you supposed to do for the following month? Why aren't contacts designed and packaged with a time frame that equates to a full year?

Maybe for the same reason hot dogs are in packages of ten and hot dog buns come in packages of eight.

Privateyez · #19 (**permalink**) 04-19-2011, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AllyCat

Maybe for the same reason hot dogs are in packages of ten and hot dog buns come in packages of eight.

Hey, you're right. Why is that, anyway?

Mondas2 · #20 (**permalink**) 05-06-2011, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AllyCat

Maybe for the same reason hot dogs are in packages of ten and hot dog buns come in packages of eight.

That's a mystery that will not be solved in this forum.

Goldar · #21 (**permalink**) 12-08-2011, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Privateyez

I've got lots of stories like that, but not about Acuvue Oasys lenses, and I think that's a good thing.

See, that's just what I said. Distractions. Thanks for not falling into the trap.

luvbostonxo2's · #22 (**permalink**) 12-08-2011, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Markhedder

I went to get an eye exam and got a prescription for contact lenses. I had ordered 3 boxes of contacts to start me off. Half a year later, I tried to order a yearly supply (8 boxes) of contact lenses and they told me that I could only order 4 due to my optometrist.

So when I went to talk to my optometrist, they said I could only buy 8 boxes limit for my prescription. Is this the case with anyone else? Are they allowed to do this? I feel that doesn't sound right to me somehow. I've been doing some Google searches but couldn't find if they are allowed to do this.

thats retarded for him to turn business away.......btw.....(heres a plug) cheaper to orde them online at Lens.com....

HEHEHEHE

Columbia · #23 (**permalink**) 12-08-2011, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvbostonxo2's

thats retarded for him to turn business away.......btw.....(here's a plug) cheaper to order them online at Lens.com....

HEHEHEHE

Way to plug the sponsor, luvbostonxo2's. Look in your email for your kickback check.

It's very easy to order from Lens.com, Markhedder. Just click the big red box.

mgash · #24 (**permalink**) 12-08-2011, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvbostonxo2's

thats retarded for him to turn business away.......btw.....(heres a plug) cheaper to orde them online at Lens.com....

HEHEHEHE

Send a copy of your Rx to any online optician, and they will all sell you as many lenses you want. They only have to be sure that the script is valid and not expired. Generally a script is valid for two years, unless the DR. specfies only one year. Go to www.lenspricecompare.com and see who is selling your lenses and at what prices.

LittleElvis · #25 (**permalink**) 12-09-2011, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgash

Send a copy of your Rx to any online optician, and they will all sell you as many lenses you want. They only have to be sure that the script is valid and not expired. Generally a script is valid for two years, unless the DR. specfies only one year. Go to www.lenspricecompare.com and see who is selling your lenses and at what prices.

I went to that site and it looks pretty nice. I compared Lens.com to the others and it seems like the price for shipping and handling is really high compared to the others. I wonder if they have the right numbers on that site?

Eyerobot · #26 (**permalink**) 01-25-2012, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Columbia

Way to plug the sponsor, luvbostonxo2's. Look in your email for your kickback check.

It's very easy to order from Lens.com, Markhedder. Just click the big red box.

Yeah, good luck cashing that emailed check.

Goldar · #27 (**permalink**) 01-25-2012, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LittleElvis

I went to that site and it looks pretty nice. I compared Lens.com to the others and it seems like the price for shipping and handling is really high compared to the others. I wonder if they have the right numbers on that site?

I would hope so. In either case it's not good. To have high prices or a website without the right information isn't going to help sales.