I am an Optometrist, Ask me Anything.

[Flabbibulin]

Reworded question: Is it important to regularly clean contact lens case? I have so many lying around, and typically grab the closest one, not really ever thinking about cleaning them.

[Bill Bumface]

I went for an exam/checkup the other day, and I've got a couple questions:

1. It was $120, blue cross covered $40. Is that an indication I'm getting ripped off?
2. My prescription changed slightly. Not enough to warrant different contacts, but enough that one lens in my glasses could be doing a better job. Is it bad for my eyes to wait on getting that fixed?
3. They quoted me $240 for regular lenses with AR and $280 for digital lenses, which they described as "HD". Besides being incredibly insulting to anyone who knows anything about televisions or optics, I found it a super cheesy/slimy sales pitch... but I digress. Are those prices reasonable? Is there any point going with "digital" lenses? The old method seemed to work just fine for all my other pairs of glasses.... I forgot to add I was also given the business about "your glasses are 4 years old, they could break. With NEW glasses we guarantee them... blah blah... I wanted to tell her to get her fat fist out of my wallet so bad... My eye doctor is a really nice guy, but man the rest of that operation makes me cringe now. Just like my dentists office. Super $$$ grubbing.

[ranchlandsselling]

I'm in my 30's and have never had my eyes tested, I think everything is fine but am wondering if should I come see you anyway?

[AMG_G]

Originally Posted by ranchlandsselling

I'm in my 30's and have never had my eyes tested, I think everything is fine but am wondering if should I come see you anyway?

You're fine.

[Knut]

Answers bolded

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

I went for an exam/checkup the other day, and I've got a couple questions:

1. It was $120, blue cross covered $40. Is that an indication I'm getting ripped off?

It is not an indication you are getting ripped off, but it is an indication that Blue Cross is maybe not covering as much as it should. $120 is pretty standard for an eye exam for a patient that wears contact lenses.

2. My prescription changed slightly. Not enough to warrant different contacts, but enough that one lens in my glasses could be doing a better job. Is it bad for my eyes to wait on getting that fixed?

It is only an issue if you are having symptoms like headaches or eyestrain. Having the wrong prescription is only an issue if you are a child. As an adult it will not make your eyes worse, but it may give you headaches.

3. They quoted me $240 for regular lenses with AR and $280 for digital lenses, which they described as "HD". Besides being incredibly insulting to anyone who knows anything about televisions or optics, I found it a super cheesy/slimy sales pitch... but I digress. Are those prices reasonable? Is there any point going with "digital" lenses? The old method seemed to work just fine for all my other pairs of glasses.... I forgot to add I was also given the business about "your glasses are 4 years old, they could break. With NEW glasses we guarantee them... blah blah... I wanted to tell her to get her fat fist out of my wallet so bad... My eye doctor is a really nice guy, but man the rest of that operation makes me cringe now. Just like my dentists office. Super $$$ grubbing.

Without knowing what prescpription you are that sounds about right for lenses that are middle of road when it comes to index (ie. Thickness). "HD lenses" is an industry wide buzz phrase to explain the new lenses. Personally, i do not like to use the terminology, but it sometimes is the best way to explain things to a layman.

Digital lenses improve your left, right, up and down vision by digitally placing your prescription on hundreds (or thousands) or points on the back surface of the lens. It makes a huge difference for those with high prescriptions or with some astigmatism. For those with a smaller rx (less than -3.00) it likely has no real impact.

All offices have modifications on a sales spiel. Unfortunately, that will not change. Next time you are at the clinic chat with your Doctor about it.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by ranchlandsselling

I'm in my 30's and have never had my eyes tested, I think everything is fine but am wondering if should I come see you anyway?

Should come in and get a baseline examination done (similar to having a routine medical done at your age). It allows to establish what is normal for you so that if issues arise we have something to compare it to. However, I do think you have a form of Tourette's.

PM me if you would like a recommendation on an Optometrist (or I would happy to see you as well).

[bomba]

Do you happen to know if Restasis is now available in Canada? When I had inquired about it a couple years ago the ophthalmologist had told me it was only in the US.

Do you happen to have any thoughts on eye plugs? Have they been effective for some of your clients?

Thanks in advance!

[Knut]

Originally Posted by bomba

Do you happen to know if Restasis is now available in Canada? When I had inquired about it a couple years ago the ophthalmologist had told me it was only in the US.

Do you happen to have any thoughts on eye plugs? Have they been effective for some of your clients?

Thanks in advance!

Restasis has been available for about 9 months now. I personally have had success with both Restasis and Punctal plugs. Restasis is $200 a month though.

Plugs are good in certain types of dry eye. You should get a complete dry eye work up done before trying either options.

[schteve_d]

I'm in my my upper 30's and have never really had an eye exam that I recall. I'm sure I must'ave at one time or other but can't recall.

Sometimes I wonder if I should as maybe there's something I'm just used to! Really though the only thing I notice is that lights while driving at night, either from behind or on-coming, really bother me. It seems to bother me a lot more than everyone else I've ever mentioned it to. Is there anything that can be done for that?

[Northendzone]

I wear multi-focal glasses and contacts and my eyes develop what I call "eye snot".

Is there any thing I can do about this? It is more annoying than anything, although sometimes it really annoys my eye/blurs my vision when wearing my contacts.

[keratosis]

Is it going to rain Sunday?

[Knut]

Originally Posted by schteve_d

I'm in my my upper 30's and have never really had an eye exam that I recall. I'm sure I must'ave at one time or other but can't recall.

Sometimes I wonder if I should as maybe there's something I'm just used to! Really though the only thing I notice is that lights while driving at night, either from behind or on-coming, really bother me. It seems to bother me a lot more than everyone else I've ever mentioned it to. Is there anything that can be done for that?

It could be a very slight prescription. You should see an Optometrist though to rule out a genetic issue that may cause night vision issues.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

I wear multi-focal glasses and contacts and my eyes develop what I call "eye snot".

Is there any thing I can do about this? It is more annoying than anything, although sometimes it really annoys my eye/blurs my vision when wearing my contacts.

Try switching solutions. Could be that the lenses are getting a protein build-up. Clearcare is my favorite.

"eye snot" is usually your own tears being too thick (ie the water evaporates too quick from the eye). I would try a tear replacement drop (like Systane ultra) and use it once in the morning and once at night. Red eyes indicate a problem with the contacts and you should see your Optometrist about that.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Hesla

Answers bolded

Thanks! Good to know $120 is normal. I know they do have a new $100K machine to take pictures of my retina, and like I say, I really like my doctor, so I'm happy blaming this on Blue Cross being chincy.

I'll just ignore the spiel next time I'm in there and pretend it didn't happen.

So my prescription is -1.25 with an astigmatism of ~0.75/1.0. I should just go for the normal lenses?

Can you give any hints who offers the best lens pricing? Or is it all going to be kind of the same? I'm tempted to wait, I wear contacts a ton in the summer.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

Thanks! Good to know $120 is normal. I know they do have a new $100K machine to take pictures of my retina, and like I say, I really like my doctor, so I'm happy blaming this on Blue Cross being chincy.

I'll just ignore the spiel next time I'm in there and pretend it didn't happen.

So my prescription is -1.25 with an astigmatism of ~0.75/1.0. I should just go for the normal lenses?

Can you give any hints who offers the best lens pricing? Or is it all going to be kind of the same? I'm tempted to wait, I wear contacts a ton in the summer.

I think you would be fine with the normal lenses, especially seeing as you are likely only using the glasses when you do not use the contacts.

Best Lens pricing... online... but you are not getting nearly the same quality as you get in an office. It is a you get what you pay for type of thing. Honestly, you can lower the price on your glasses by going with a lower priced Frame. Going with a house brand frame or an older model can really lower the cost, without giving up quality. The lenses are where you need to not cheap out on as they the functional part of the glasses.

[Bill Bumface]

I went online for Clearly Contacts free glasses promotions once.... and wow are they bad. I wanted prescription sunglasses that didn't cost $700 but they are junk. I'll get real ones one day.

[ah123]

I have a pretty strong prescription and I alway go to CostCo to get glasses with high index lenses (I really have a hard time shelling out $700 for a pair at Hakim or whatever, when I get something similar at CostCo for $450).

Is there a huge difference in the high index lenses that CostCo sells vs the high index lenses elsewhere?

[TheGrimm]

Hi Hesla,
Big thanks for doing this for the community, it's great that you are helping educate us on eyesite.. As a person with KC, it's one of those things you take for granted until you have issues.

What are your thoughts on LASIK versus ICLs? I know there are a few kinds of ICL out now and a friend of mine is paranoid of LASIK because I told him about the risks of corneal ectasia and dry eyes.

I know ICL's are a relatively newcomer to the field, however to me, the fact that you aren't burning off a layer of precious cornea seems to be a big plus? Have you seen it done, are the results as good as LASIK?

[Knut]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

I went online for Clearly Contacts free glasses promotions once.... and wow are they bad. I wanted prescription sunglasses that didn't cost $700 but they are junk. I'll get real ones one day.

I posted a study earlier that showed close to 50% of eye purchased online is not built correctly or has imperfections.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by ah123

I have a pretty strong prescription and I alway go to CostCo to get glasses with high index lenses (I really have a hard time shelling out $700 for a pair at Hakim or whatever, when I get something similar at CostCo for $450).

Is there a huge difference in the high index lenses that CostCo sells vs the high index lenses elsewhere?

Potentially. It depends on the company as well. I do know that Hakim and Lenscrafters are priced way too high for the quality of product they sell. As for Costco it is the same story as everything else they have there. Sell in Bulk at low margins. I would place Costco above Lenscrafters, online and Hakim in quality and below an Optometry office.