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Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!uwvax!crystal!pal
From: pal@crystal.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.med
Subject: Re: Getting contacts
Message-ID: <374@crystal.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 13-Nov-84 16:06:29 EST
Article-I.D.: crystal.374
Posted: Tue Nov 13 16:06:29 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 15-Nov-84 01:37:58 EST
References: <1034@umcp-cs.UUCP>
Distribution: na
Organization: U of Wisconsin CS Dept
Lines: 27

Yes, $600 for contacts seems rather high.
I have two experiences, both with optical chains.
About four years ago, I bought simple soft contacts,
had no problems until the next summer, when my hay fever caught up with me.
I paid around 125-150 (US), can't remember the exact figure, for contacts,
care kit, examination and followups (6 months).
At the same time, my wife (who is astigmatic as well as near-sighted,
I have negligible astigmatism) tried the contacts too, but couldn't get
comfortable with them.  She received a full refund (minus the eye examination
fee)

Early this year, I tried extended wear soft contacts (when you are a late-night
hacker, cleaning contacts before going to sleep is a pain).
Again, a discount chain (a different one - better price).
129 US included everything (1 yr. followups) except heat disinfection unit (I
already had one of those).  No problems, I wear them for a week at a time (the
doc at the dispensary recommended against pushing the 30-day limit advertised)
and am very happy.  The latest price for the same deal is around 89 dollars.
My wife tried toric lenses (which can correct for astigmatism) and is also very
happy, although these are more expensive (I think about 250 from the chain).

If the prices you quoted are for simple soft contacts, they are certainly high.
The replacement cost of the lenses alone is around 20 dollars each, 30 for
extended wear (Bausch and Lomb).

Anil Pal
U. of Wisconsin - Madison