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highstreet
Joined: 13 Nov 2010
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 Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2012 7:09 pm Post subject: Contact Lens pricing |
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| Can anyone tell me around what I should pay for new contact lenses + checkup. I'm looking to buy some disposable ones. Thanks |
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northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2012 7:21 pm Post subject: |
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I used Acuvue 2s when I was in Korea and I think I paid 70,000 at EMart for two six packs. That's supposed to be a three month supply, but most people would stretch it to six. Not sure about how much an exam costs, though I think they're pretty cheap. They'll generally let you buy them even if you go in without a script.
I'd also say, now that I know better, that there are really good Asian brands that are significantly cheaper than the big American brands in Korea.
Last edited by northway on Thu Dec 13, 2012 7:25 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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highstreet
Joined: 13 Nov 2010
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| Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2012 7:25 pm Post subject: |
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| Thing is I don't know my power for each lens. thanks! |
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12ax7
Joined: 07 Nov 2009
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| Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2012 8:44 pm Post subject: |
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| northway wrote: |
I used Acuvue 2s when I was in Korea and I think I paid 70,000 at EMart for two six packs. That's supposed to be a three month supply, but most people would stretch it to six. Not sure about how much an exam costs, though I think they're pretty cheap. They'll generally let you buy them even if you go in without a script.
I'd also say, now that I know better, that there are really good Asian brands that are significantly cheaper than the big American brands in Korea. |
A contact lenses manufacturer (which shall remain unnamed) got in trouble because their one-day contact lenses were identical to their other contact lenses. In other words, consumers were led to believe they had to throw away their one-day contact lenses when they could kept them for weeks, if not months, with proper care. So, yes, with proper care, they last a lot longer than the manufacturers suggest.
Last edited by 12ax7 on Fri Dec 14, 2012 6:52 am; edited 1 time in total |
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AbbeFaria
Joined: 17 May 2005
Location: Gangnam
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| Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2012 10:54 pm Post subject: |
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| I paid about 70k for mine at the eye doctor for the L & R 6 packs. The guy gave me a bit of a wink and a nod and told me not to mention how much I paid for them to other people because he was giving me a discount. Not sure if that was true or not. The exam itself was like 7k. Very cheap. That could have had something to do with the insurance, though. |
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northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 5:22 am Post subject: |
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| 12ax7 wrote: |
| northway wrote: |
I used Acuvue 2s when I was in Korea and I think I paid 70,000 at EMart for two six packs. That's supposed to be a three month supply, but most people would stretch it to six. Not sure about how much an exam costs, though I think they're pretty cheap. They'll generally let you buy them even if you go in without a script.
I'd also say, now that I know better, that there are really good Asian brands that are significantly cheaper than the big American brands in Korea. |
A contact lenses manufacturer (which shall remain unnamed) got in trouble because their one-day contact lenses were identical to their other contact lenses. In other words, consumers were lead to believe they had to throw away their one-day contact lenses when they could kept them for weeks, if not months, with proper care. So, yes, with proper care, they last a lot longer than the manufacturers suggest. |
The problem being that essentially nobody takes care of their lenses properly. A new lens case with every new bottle of solution, sanitizing the case weekly, always washing your hands prior to handling the lenses, and cleaning the lenses prior to putting them in solution every night? Who does all that? Doctors also generally assume that their patients will at least double the wear time on all their lenses on top of being essentially noncompliant in daily care.
I started wearing dailies when I came back to the States and I'm never looking back. Way less hassle and way more sanitary. |
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12ax7
Joined: 07 Nov 2009
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| Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 6:56 am Post subject: |
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| northway wrote: |
| 12ax7 wrote: |
| northway wrote: |
I used Acuvue 2s when I was in Korea and I think I paid 70,000 at EMart for two six packs. That's supposed to be a three month supply, but most people would stretch it to six. Not sure about how much an exam costs, though I think they're pretty cheap. They'll generally let you buy them even if you go in without a script.
I'd also say, now that I know better, that there are really good Asian brands that are significantly cheaper than the big American brands in Korea. |
A contact lenses manufacturer (which shall remain unnamed) got in trouble because their one-day contact lenses were identical to their other contact lenses. In other words, consumers were lead to believe they had to throw away their one-day contact lenses when they could kept them for weeks, if not months, with proper care. So, yes, with proper care, they last a lot longer than the manufacturers suggest. |
The problem being that essentially nobody takes care of their lenses properly. A new lens case with every new bottle of solution, sanitizing the case weekly, always washing your hands prior to handling the lenses, and cleaning the lenses prior to putting them in solution every night? Who does all that? Doctors also generally assume that their patients will at least double the wear time on all their lenses on top of being essentially noncompliant in daily care.
I started wearing dailies when I came back to the States and I'm never looking back. Way less hassle and way more sanitary. |
I'm not disputing that it's convenient and arguably more sanitary. No, the problem was that the manufacturer misled consumers to believe the dailies had to be thrown away after a day, as if they'd damage their eyes even if they were properly taken care of. A lab tested them and found them to be identical to the longer use lenses.
Last edited by 12ax7 on Sat Dec 15, 2012 6:24 am; edited 1 time in total |
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AbbeFaria
Joined: 17 May 2005
Location: Gangnam
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| Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 7:34 am Post subject: |
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| northway wrote: |
The problem being that essentially nobody takes care of their lenses properly. A new lens case with every new bottle of solution, sanitizing the case weekly, always washing your hands prior to handling the lenses, and cleaning the lenses prior to putting them in solution every night? Who does all that? Doctors also generally assume that their patients will at least double the wear time on all their lenses on top of being essentially noncompliant in daily care.
I started wearing dailies when I came back to the States and I'm never looking back. Way less hassle and way more sanitary. |
I do all of that except the sanitizing of the case. Guess I'll start that, too. |
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schwa
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
Location: Yap
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| Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 4:58 pm Post subject: |
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| highstreet wrote: |
| Thing is I don't know my power for each lens. thanks! |
Any optician here can provide a competent eye test, on the spot & for free. Language not an issue.
If you think you have more complex vision issues, once you're on national medical you can drop into any ophthalmology clinic & get a test & prescription there for next to nothing. |
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Swampfox10mm
Joined: 24 Mar 2011
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| Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 7:51 pm Post subject: |
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| I got an eye test in the USA at Walmart and purchased a bulk set from Coastal Contacts online. Three years and still going. I do not buy them here anymore. I get yearly eye checks for free from my school. |
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northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2012 1:27 am Post subject: |
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| AbbeFaria wrote: |
| northway wrote: |
The problem being that essentially nobody takes care of their lenses properly. A new lens case with every new bottle of solution, sanitizing the case weekly, always washing your hands prior to handling the lenses, and cleaning the lenses prior to putting them in solution every night? Who does all that? Doctors also generally assume that their patients will at least double the wear time on all their lenses on top of being essentially noncompliant in daily care.
I started wearing dailies when I came back to the States and I'm never looking back. Way less hassle and way more sanitary. |
I do all of that except the sanitizing of the case. Guess I'll start that, too. |
Also always keeping your solution cap closed, but that's rather obvious.
I'm curious what lenses people wear though... |
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12ax7
Joined: 07 Nov 2009
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| Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2012 6:27 am Post subject: |
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| I had corrective laser eye surgery. Worth every won I paid. I have better than perfect vision. |
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NYC_Gal 2.0
Joined: 10 Dec 2010
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| Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2012 7:17 am Post subject: |
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I'm still afraid of corrective surgery, so I wear the daily disposables or eyeglasses. 40 days' worth costs me 40k, which is reasonable I guess. I've been wearing glasses more and more, so the contacts last me a while. I used to use the 2-week lenses, but I prefer a fresh pair every time I wear them now.
I think the brand in question was Optima FW. I worked at an optical shop for a while in uni, and the lenses were marketed as 2-week lenses, but they were actually the ones that lasted a full year. Rather than change their product when the 2-week ones became popular, they just changed the wrapping. It was awesome, because I was a broke student, so I was able to keep my "trial sample" of them for several months before replacing them. I was obsessive about cleaning them, though, because I knew what kind of nasties could infect the eyes. |
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12ax7
Joined: 07 Nov 2009
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| Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2012 3:39 pm Post subject: |
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| NYC_Gal 2.0 wrote: |
I'm still afraid of corrective surgery, so I wear the daily disposables or eyeglasses. 40 days' worth costs me 40k, which is reasonable I guess. I've been wearing glasses more and more, so the contacts last me a while. I used to use the 2-week lenses, but I prefer a fresh pair every time I wear them now.
I think the brand in question was Optima FW. I worked at an optical shop for a while in uni, and the lenses were marketed as 2-week lenses, but they were actually the ones that lasted a full year. Rather than change their product when the 2-week ones became popular, they just changed the wrapping. It was awesome, because I was a broke student, so I was able to keep my "trial sample" of them for several months before replacing them. I was obsessive about cleaning them, though, because I knew what kind of nasties could infect the eyes. |
There is nothing to worry about. Technology keeps improving every year. Just get it done by a reputed doctor since he or she will have the latest equipment (many of the best are in Gangnam). The procedure is painless and it's over before you know it. The only part that sucks is the healing process (you can't open your eyes for the first few days after surgery, then you have to use eye drops several times a day after the protective lenses are removed). You'll feel discomfort, but not pain. The eye drops take care of that.
You do need someone to go with you when you get it done since you won't be able to open your eyes after surgery and don't expect to get much work done for the first week or two after.
My eyes were sensitive to sunlight for about 2 years after that (I wore sunglasses when I went outside), but that's probably because I have light-coloured eyes because sunlight didn't bother my wife at all. |
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JustinC
Joined: 10 Mar 2012
Location: We Are The World!
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| Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2012 5:55 pm Post subject: |
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| 12ax7 wrote: |
| I'm not disputing that it's convenient and arguably more sanitary. No, the problem was that the manufacturer misled consumers to believe the dailies had to be thrown away after a day, as if they'd damage their eyes even if they were properly taken care of. A lab tested them and found them to be identical to the longer use lenses. |
I thought this was a general practice across the industry? It's cheaper to just manufacture one type of lens with several different types of packaging.
I wore contacts for around 20 years, until a couple years ago when my eyes just said "Nah, no more" and they both got dry and itchy after the lenses had been in for under two hours. I wore specs for a few months and then took the plunge and got surgery.
I'd been interested in eye surgery for at least a decade, reading up on the latest procedures and benefits, so it wasn't a difficult decision to go ahead. I had the best procedure available, after a few consultations with different doctors. It cost just under �2k after I got a discount for being a teacher  Another surgeon, in Harley Street, offered the same procedure for almost �4k. They told me most of their clients were foreigners who paid extra for Harley Street's reputation.
The one I had is the same fighter pilots have - they don't need surgery as they can only become pilots in the military with 20/20 vision, but the surgery gives them better than 20/20. My eyesight now is 20/10 (it was -5 in both eyes before), and I see better than people who've never needed glasses. It's awesome reading street signs when nobody else can.
I'd recommend it to anyone, it's like having HD vision after going through life with greasy glasses and not being able to find the shampoo when you're in the shower. The procedure is pretty surreal, and definitely uncomfortable. I'd put it on a par with having a tattoo - it's a few minutes of stress but the outcome lasts for the rest of your life. Actually, having a tattoo took longer.
After the procedure you need a day or two where you're away from dust, smoke, or anything else that could harm your eyes. You need a SO or someone who can help you with anything so you're able to just chill with your shades on and keep on administering eye drops as your doctor told you too. I was given some really strong painkilling drops which I only needed on the day, the next day I woke and felt no pain. There were two other drops, I had to take one (for healing) 5 times a day and the other (saline, for moisture) every hour. I think that went on for a week, although the day after surgery I went back to the optician and they said the surgery had been completely successful and my eyesight was better than 20/20, and would continue to improve over the next couple weeks. |
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