With a little bit of effort, you can save a bundle on your contact lenses.
I found VisionDirect.com (part of DrugStore.com) to be a great place to buy contacts. Below is a comparison of VisionDirect.com to WalMart, where I got my eye exam.
VisionDirect.com | WalMart | |
Cost per box (Focus Night and Day) | $48.95 | $62.84 |
Volume discount per box (4 or more boxes) | $1 | NA |
Coupon (see dealcoupon.com for current coupons) | 10% off | NA |
Processing Fee | $0.95 | NA |
Shipping | Free | Free |
Delayed cash back from FatWallet.com | 7% | NA |
Total for 4 boxes: | $161.49 | $251.36 |
I've actually done better than the above example (my actual cost after FatWallet.com cash back was $152.57 this year), but the example uses currently available deals. Also, depending on how Internet tax works in your state, you could very well save another $14 in taxes over WalMart. That means if you hit all the deals at the right time, and if you save the taxes, you could save around $113--or 45%--over WalMart for a 1-year supply of these contacts. Also, buying at VisionDirect.com might get you some drugstore.com "dollars," but I'm not sure.
Manufacturer's rebates are common as well, and are typically reseller-independent. But as always, don't completely depend on rebates. Ciba denied one of my recent claims even though I followed their instructions.
3 comments:
How does eye surgery compare to continuing to purchase contacts. I've been considering going with that option.
Thanks for the tip about purchasing contacts online. I might do that next time. I also make a year's worth of contacts last a whole lot longer by cleaning them every night.
We've (she's) given up totally on contact lenses. Glasses are expensive enough. We were spending upwards of $300 a year on contacts and glasses. If the surgery works, wouldn't take too long to pay for itself I'm thinking. Her mom and sister have both had the laser correction with great results (only need glasses for reading)
Assuming no long-term costs due to complications, eyedrops, etc., surgery can pay for itself over time.
With Focus Night and Day (monthly disposables), I can sleep in the contacts every night for a month. I have many of the same benefits of surgery--including virtually no cost for cleaning solution--without the risks and the up-front expense.
Not all doctors recommend sleeping in these, even though they're FDA approved for 30 days of continuous wear. Others say it's fine. I recommend discussing this with your doctor if you're considering this kind of disposable lens as an alternative to surgery. Personally, I'm taking mine out once mid-month to clean them and give my eyes a few hours' rest. I also religiously throw them away after the 30 days.
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