What should be included:
- Contact lens fittings are conducted by an ophthalmologist, optometrist or eye technician prior to ordering contact lenses. During the fitting, the provider will ask the patient about what kind of lenses they prefer. He or she will also take measurements of the patient's eye. This will include the measurement of the eye's curvature and size of pupil.
- The fitting will also include a tear duct evaluation, which insures that the patient's eye has adequate moisture.
- Patients can also expect to try on a trial pair of lenses. Usually patients need to wear these lenses for at least 15 minutes. Then the eye care provider will examine how the eye moves and focuses while wearing the lenses.
Related Costs: Contact Lenses,
Colored Contacts,
Eye Exam,
Eyeglasses,
Prescription Sunglasses,
LASIK Eye Surgery
Additional costs:- Although patients buying contact lenses through a U.S. retailer are required to have an annual eye exam, most experts recommend purchasing lenses through a U.S. retailer because overseas merchants are not bound by Food and Drug Administration regulations. The average national expense for an eye exam is $114, although it may be covered by insurance or included in the purchase of contact lenses. See How Much Does an Eye Exam Cost.
- If a patient has difficulties with their contact lenses, another visit to an eye care professional may be necessary. The average clinic charges about $40 for follow-up visits. Lakewood Family Eye Care[3] charges $45 for a follow-up contact lens visit, while Cheyenne Eye Clinic[4] in Wyoming includes three months of follow-up visits in the fitting fee.
- The fitting does not include the actual cost of the contact lenses, which can range from $20 per box of daily disposable lenses to $400 for lenses that need to be replaced annually. See See How Much Do Contacts Cost.
Discounts:- Be sure to ask if there are any discounts; some providers charge a reduced fitting fee if the contact lenses are also purchased from them.
Shopping for a contact lens fitting:- Patients with a personal or family history of eye conditions should consider seeing an ophthalmologist instead of an optometrist for their contact lens fitting. The American Academy of Ophthalmology explains the difference between ophthalmologists and optometrists, and also provides a list of ophthalmologists[5] . Or, search for an optometrist through the Optometrist Network[6] .
- Consumers with insurance should check with their providers about coverage. Contact fittings are not usually covered by insurance.
Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.
What People Are Paying - Recent Comments
Fitting & Followup
Amount: $50.00 Posted by: homer2
From: Toledo, OH
Posted On: November 3rd, 2020 12:11PM
Provider: OD
A contact lens fitting is surprisingly more difficult than the average patient appreciates. Even though the practitioner isn't spelling out to you each and every structure he or she is evaluating and recording, a contact lens fitting and follow up entails significantly more examination points than a spectacle exam alone. As a patient, you just see a lens - we see a medical device that can very easily negatively impact the patient's vision and ocular health. As such, particular attention is paid to the corneal health, curvature, tear production, blink rate, blood vessel health and growth, etc. Additionally, the fit of the lens includes corneal coverage, movement and centration, vision, comfort. Contact lens wear is significantly more involved that many patients realize.
Fitting SCAM
Amount: $30.00 Posted by: ShaggyGa1
From: Warner Robins, GA
Posted On: January 20th, 2020 06:01AM
Provider: Warner Robins Eye Care
I've been wearing the same type and prescription for over 20 years and still get charged a fitting fee. What a scam just like the smoking cessation fees.
Kino
Amount: $0.00 Posted by: Kino
From: РњРѕСЃРєРІР°, IN
Posted On: November 19th, 2019 10:11PM
Kino
Hard to compare
Amount: $0.00 Posted by: F. Z.
From: austin, TX
Posted On: February 28th, 2019 08:02AM
Provider: optical
Its very difficult (if not impossible) to compare contact fitting fees with no other information. Some people have astigmatism, some people are near or far-sighted, some wear soft, some hard. Some people may have eye conditions that have a bearing on what type of lens they can wear. Its like comparing cost of a brake job on a Ferrari with a Kia (no offense to Kia).
Great deal!
Amount: $99.00 Posted by: Chris Parker
From: White Plains, NY
Posted On: December 18th, 2018 09:12AM
Provider: New Park Ave Optical
$99 for exam with 2 free boxes of "Acuvue 2" lenses. Or $169 if with astigmatism. Or $199 for Acuvue Oaysis lenses instead. No matter what lenses option you choose, you also get the written prescription needed to buy from online providers.
Contact Fitting
Amount: $149.00 Posted by: JC ATX
From: Austin, TX
Posted On: February 28th, 2018 08:02AM
Provider: Westlake Eyecare. Murray, R, O.D.
I was in disbelief...i walked out paying a total of $185.65 without purchasing contacts. I chose the option to do the $49 Optos Photo Screening (which i believe is unnecessary unless you have family history of glacoma..etc.). The contact fitting was $149!!. My insurance (VSP) paid $62 of the 174 EYE EXAM. There was a 15% discount which did not amount to much since total OOP was $185.65. I think they are going to bill me $10 co-pay too.
Fitting for soft topic lens after wearing RGP for 40 years
Amount: $1,360.00 Posted by: BarbaraK
From: Seattle, WA
Posted On: February 13th, 2018 07:02PM
Provider: Virginia Mason Seattle Opthomologist
Unbelievable. No insurance. $58 for glasses plus $1358 For comprehensive eye exam and contact lens fitting. I also received a trial pair of lens and may have had an additional screening for glaucoma. I thought I'd switch to soft to save money.
Hard lens were about $140 each, so $280 per year plus replacement lens. I did not realize that the soft Torics actually cost a lot more and the vision is not as keen.
Contact lens Fitting
Amount: $80.00 Posted by: a user in San Antonio, TX.
Posted On: January 13th, 2018 02:01PM
Toric Lens Fitting
contact fitting payment
Amount: $40.00 Posted by: Momma
From: North Wales, PA
Posted On: January 1st, 2018 10:01AM
Provider: Aetna
This is the biggest ripoff going. I paid $40 to just get a contact prescription. I have been wearing the same contacts for 35 years so why am I getting ripped off every time I get contacts for this amount. Just a total scam. There is no fitting. I told the girl I wasn't paying if and she said then I wouldn't be able to order contacts. Something should be done about this.
Fitting in Washington DC
Amount: $135.00 Posted by: blindhelper
From: Washington, DC
Posted On: December 15th, 2017 03:12PM
Provider: NVA
Only $30 of New Patient Toric Contacts fitting was covered by insurance.
Total retail of exam: $457.00
Insurance coverage: $285.00
Out of pocket for exam and 1 mo contacts: $152.00
Fitting in San Antonio
Amount: $70.00 Posted by: NickHawkinsSA
From: San Antonio, TX
Posted On: December 11th, 2017 02:12PM
Provider: Alamo Vision Associates
$70 for regular contact lens fitting. My wife needed an astigmatism contact lens fitting and was charged $80.
Soft Contact Lens
Amount: $85.00 Posted by: [email protected] From: NY, NY
Posted On: May 26th, 2017 11:05AM
Provider: CN Vision Care
Without insurance, with 5 days of trial lens.
Woodside, Queens in NYC
Fitting in Fall river MA
Amount: $220.00 Posted by: Tip
From: Fall river, MA
Posted On: November 21st, 2016 09:11AM
Provider: MD. Center for eye health
The fitting cost more then the contacts, which were a 3 month supply
Contact Lens Fitting
Amount: $79.00 Posted by: GiselleVentura
From: Union City, CA
Posted On: November 18th, 2016 12:11PM
Provider: Kaiser Permanente
I paid $79 for a contact lens fitting at Kaiser in Northern California.
Fitting in MA
Amount: $100.00 Posted by: Christop
From: Melrose, MA
Posted On: July 9th, 2016 05:07AM
Provider: Clear Vision Eye Center (MA)
Flat $100 fee for fitting.
Annual exam 99 and contacts additional 200
Amount: $299.00 Posted by: a user in Foxboro, MA.
Posted On: June 25th, 2016 09:06AM
Provider: Dr Elliott
Was amazed how much it cost in the Boston area. Very expensive compared to other parts of usa.This was first time for contact evaluation so I wanted to make sure with a professional. Happy to get them but shocked for the prices.
Contact Fitting
Amount: $50.00 Posted by: James Mays
From: London, KY
Posted On: May 24th, 2016 02:05PM
Provider: Eyedeal Eyecare
Paid $20 copay for the exam. $50 for contact fitting including 5 days worth of daily disposable trial contacts. Scheduled to return in 1 week for follow up on contacts to make sure they are good for me before ordering contacts.
Contact lens Fitting fee
Amount: $127.00 Posted by: TinaPeebs
From: Boston, MA
Posted On: April 9th, 2016 06:04AM
Provider: Boston Medical Center
Paid $5 copay for an eye exam and $127 for a fitting fee
Contact Fitting in Indianapolis
Amount: $120.00 Posted by: a user in Indianapolis, IN.
Posted On: February 17th, 2016 02:02PM
Provider: Ossip
This says a fitting is recommended when the patient switches contact lenses. My eye doctor recommends something new every visit, spends 5 minutes and charges $120 which insurance won't cover. The whole thing feels like an agreed upon nationwide scam to milk more money from the patient. 2/2016
Contact lens fitting
Amount: $225.00 Posted by: Artur collins
From: manhattan beach, CA
Posted On: January 6th, 2016 08:01PM
Provider: local optometrist
Crazy!
Contact Lens Fitting
Amount: $90.00 Posted by: a user in Baltimore, MD.
Posted On: February 2nd, 2015 02:02PM
Provider: University of Maryland Eye Care
fitting in Northern Virginia
Amount: $180.00 Posted by: Nancy45
From: Purcellville, VA
Posted On: December 23rd, 2014 02:12PM
Provider: local optometrist
I was pretty shocked that it is $300 for the exam & fitting, since they originally told me on the phone it was $80 more for the fitting. Apparently toric costs more. The lenses are supposed to be $350, so total cost is (I hope) no more than $650.
Contacts
Amount: $110.00 Posted by: E.D.
From: Douglasville, GA
Posted On: October 17th, 2012 07:10AM
Provider: Visionworks
Promo exam $39
Toric evaluation for contacts $59
Visualfield (optional) $12
Total $110
Contacts
Amount: $120.00 Posted by: E.D.
From: Marietta, GA
Posted On: October 17th, 2012 07:10AM
Provider: Brilliant Eyes
Exam $130 - Insurance $115 = $15
Toric Contact Lens Fitting $85 - Insurance $0 = $85
Optional Screening $20 - Insurance $0 = $20
Fitting in Chicago
Amount: $79.00 Posted by: Windy City Girl
From: Chicago, IL
Posted On: February 15th, 2011 05:02PM
Provider: Wink Optical
I paid $79 for a contact lens fitting in Chicago (private office), plus a $10 copay for my eye exam. Later I paid an additional $49 for contact lens training.
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