Colored Contacts Cost

Typical costs:

• Colored contact lenses vary tremendously in cost, depending upon the style and type of lens. Daily disposable color contact lenses cost between $45 and about $90 per month. Extended wear lenses, which can be worn from one week to three months, cost between $12 and $90 for a monthly supply. Lenses designed for long-term wear, which are replaced annually, cost between $55 and more than $200. For example, hand-painted decorative lenses from VampFangs.com cost about $200. Other lenses, such as Acuvue Define lenses, cost $22 for lenses that can be worn for 30 days.
• Even decorative lenses require an eye exam if a customer purchases the lenses through a U.S. retailer. The cost of an eye exam varies depending upon the clinic and region of the country. The national average charge for an eye exam is $114 for those without insurance. For patients with vision insurance coverage, the typical copay will apply. See How Much Does an Eye Exam Cost.
• Experts recommend that patients have a contact lens fitting at a reputable clinic. Contact lens fittings, which are often not covered by insurance, can range between $25 and $149. See How Much Do Contact Lens Fittings Cost?

• Contact lens purchases include the lenses and packaging material for the lenses. In some cases, this packaging material will be a vial with saline solution or another preservative. For disposable lenses, the lenses are typically packaged separately in plastic. In addition, most manufacturers include information about the lenses.

• If a patient has further issues with their contact lenses, another visit to an eye care professional may be necessary. The average clinic charges about $40 for a follow-up visit. For example, Lakewood Family Eye Care^[1] , located in Lakewood Ranch, Fla., charges $45 for a follow-up contact lens visit. However, some clinics, such as Cheyenne Eye Clinic^[2] include three months worth of follow-up visits in the iftting fee.

• Discounted and free eye exams are available through a variety of programs and foundations. The National Eye Institute^[3] maintains a list of many of these programs.

• While an eye exam is required when purchasing colored contact lenses from a U.S. retailer, most experts still recommend buying lenses through a U.S. retailer because overseas merchants are not bound by Food and Drug Administration regulations.
• Patients with a personal or family history of eye conditions should consider seeing an ophthalmologist instead of an optometrist for their eye exam. Find a list of ophthalmologists through the American Academy of Ophthalmology^[4] or search for an optometrist through the Optometrist Network^[5] . AllAboutVision.com^[6] offers tips and advice on types of colored contact lenses and how to choose the best color. Patients who have insurance should also check with their company about coverage options. Most companies will only cover the purchase of colored contact lenses if a prescription is required as well.
• Remember the cheapest price isn't necessarily online -- it's best to check all options before deciding. Patients should ask their eye care provider about discounts and bundling. Some providers routinely include a free eye exam with the purchase of lenses. If the patient has more serious eye correction needs, it is best to work with a health care provider when purchasing and fitting colored lenses.
• Discount retailers, like LensCrafters and Pearle Vision, offer consumers face-to-face interaction and specialized care, and can be cheaper that a doctor's office. These merchants may not, however, be able to handle more serious medical needs.
• Patients should investigate the company before buying colored contact lenses online. Experts recommend that patients make sure lenses are FDA-approved before making a purchase.

1.  /lakewoodeyes.com/
2.  cheyenneeyeclinic.com/?option=com_content&task=view&id=43&Itemid=57
3.  www.nei.nih.gov/Health/financialaid.asp
4.  www.aao.org/find_eyemd.cfm/
5.  www.optometrists.org/eye_doctors.html
6.  www.allaboutvision.com/contacts/colors.htm

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