Got quoted for contacts, very expensive?

Steviemoyne

Was in with Specsavers getting my eyes tested. Worn glasses majority of my life and I've got an astigmatism.

Was previously told I could not get laser eye surgery and told at the same time I got checked for laser eye surgery that I would also not be able to get contact lenses as they would take the shape of my eye, this was about 5 years ago and it was mostly because of my astigmatism.

Asked if there had been and advancements made in contact lenses and was told that I could get a pair that would reshape my cornea, and that it would cost around €230. They also said they would have no idea if I would be suitable until I tried them out, forking over €230 upfront.

Am I imagining things or is this really expensive for something that only lasts 1 or 2 years with no guarantee of it actually working? Would the UK or some other country be cheaper for sourcing contact lenses (as in buy online)?

Thanks in advance.

Daisies

Steviemoyne wrote: »

Was in with Specsavers getting my eyes tested. Worn glasses majority of my life and I've got an astigmatism.

Was previously told I could not get laser eye surgery and told at the same time I got checked for laser eye surgery that I would also not be able to get contact lenses as they would take the shape of my eye, this was about 5 years ago and it was mostly because of my astigmatism.

Asked if there had been and advancements made in contact lenses and was told that I could get a pair that would reshape my cornea, and that it would cost around €230. They also said they would have no idea if I would be suitable until I tried them out, forking over €230 upfront.

Am I imagining things or is this really expensive for something that only lasts 1 or 2 years with no guarantee of it actually working? Would the UK or some other country be cheaper for sourcing contact lenses (as in buy online)?

Thanks in advance.

To me it sounds like you may have ketatoconus and require very specific contact lenses to correct your vision hence the cost. The talk or reshaping the cornea is what gives me this idea.

Steviemoyne

I don't know to be honest. It was literally the last thing I asked about after my test. I do recall being specifically told that the contacts would change the shape of my cornea as opposed to my contacts taking the shape of my cornea.

I wonder would it be cheaper anywhere in the UK that offer online ordering. Might get in contact with a few of them and find out.

I have my prescription to hand:
Right|Sphere|Cyl|Axis|Prism
Distance|+3.50|-5.50|178|
Intermediate||||
Near|||

Left|Sphere|Cyl|Axis|Prism
Distance|+4.25|-4.75|8|
Intermediate||||
Near|||

Edit: Just looked up what Keratoconus is. No I definitely do not have that. I think it's just the different material of the quoted contact lenses that are not flexible or something similar. They would be custom made yes.

The reason I know I don't have Keratoconus is two fold. One I imagine the specsavers examiner would have informed me if I had it. Two I've been to my doctor about my eyes recently regarding my working environment causing dry eyes (software developer from 9-5 so stressful). He then put me on to an Ophthalmologist who did a full examination of my eyes, confirming I was simply getting dry eyes. (As opposed to me just saying I don't have it).

blackeyedpeat

You prescription is complex and well outside normal lens ranges and designs. (Although you may get a good result with a Proclear XR Toric Monthly Lens)

1) You may have been quoted for a made to order Soft Toric or an Rigid Gas Permiable.
2) You may have been offered orthokatology: Corneal reshaping to reduce your prescription. However this is pretty specialised and I don't think Specsavers would offer this service. Also to my knowledge your prescription prove too awkward to correct in the same way the laser is not possible.

Daisies

Steviemoyne wrote: »

I don't know to be honest. It was literally the last thing I asked about after my test. I do recall being specifically told that the contacts would change the shape of my cornea as opposed to my contacts taking the shape of my cornea.

I wonder would it be cheaper anywhere in the UK that offer online ordering. Might get in contact with a few of them and find out.

I have my prescription to hand:
Right|Sphere|Cyl|Axis|Prism
Distance|+3.50|-5.50|178|
Intermediate||||
Near|||

Left|Sphere|Cyl|Axis|Prism
Distance|+4.25|-4.75|8|
Intermediate||||
Near|||

Edit: Just looked up what Keratoconus is. No I definitely do not have that. I think it's just the different material of the quoted contact lenses that are not flexible or something similar. They would be custom made yes.

The reason I know I don't have Keratoconus is two fold. One I imagine the specsavers examiner would have informed me if I had it. Two I've been to my doctor about my eyes recently regarding my working environment causing dry eyes (software developer from 9-5 so stressful). He then put me on to an Ophthalmologist who did a full examination of my eyes, confirming I was simply getting dry eyes. (As opposed to me just saying I don't have it).

Ok cool. Then it sounds like you have been quoted for a custom made rigid gas permeable lens. As BEP said you may get a decent level.of vision with XR toric monthly lenses.

You are outside of the range for orthokeratology so I don't think that is what they were talking about.