May 29, 2008

Dealing with contact costs

By Dr. Andrew Soss / Daily News Columnist

Dr. Soss: I'm getting really tired of having so many problems with my contact lenses. I've been wearing contacts for probably 15 years now. For the last 3-4 years I've tried every disposable lens made. But I still can't wear them without my eyes getting irritated so that I have to stop wearing my lenses for sometimes weeks at a time. I'm tempted to get those disposables that you wear for just one day and then throw away. But they cost about $1 an eye for two eyes; for a year, it's about $700. That's way too much! I just don't know what to do anymore. I've been reading your column for a while and you always say to get another opinion. But, I've been to a bunch of eye doctors and nothing is better. Any advice?

B.H.



B.H.: I will try to advise you by providing you with some common sense information; a different way to look at costs; and some alternative options available. First of all, the most common problem, by far, associated with contact lenses has little or nothing to do with the contact lenses themselves; but is related to the contact lens solutions utilized. To many laypersons as well as eye doctors, it would seem as though all of the solutions are similar enough that it does not matter. However, this could not be more of a false assumption. So before you give up, there are very specific solutions that you should consider trying (the names of which I will e-mail to you privately to avoid litigious issues).

Patients who are interested in disposable contact lenses, which you wear for one day and then dispose of, should look at the cost in a different manner. If you are having so many problems with other contact lenses, and the one-day lenses are effective, you will save significantly on doctor visits. Another way to view the annual cost is to relate the cost to other expenditures we are used to paying, which are broken down monthly. For example, most people rarely realize that they are paying $720 a year for their cable television. This is why cable companies charge us on a monthly basis, so that it does not seem so expensive. Therefore a monthly basis would be the best way to realistically view your contact lens expenditure.

Finally, once you have exhausted these options, you may want to consider one of the refractive surgical procedures best suited for your eyes. Yes, the cost for this is greater, of course. However, payments can be made on a monthly basis also. The bottom line is to not give up, and consider all of your options first.



Questions to Dr. Soss should be sent to his e-mail theeyedoctor@att.net or via his Web site at www.dr-andrewsoss.com. All answers & opinions are those of Dr. Soss and not necessarily shared, endorsed or affiliated with this or any of our newspaper agencies.

Dr. Andrew C. Soss OD, FAAO, has been practicing for over 20 years. During that time he has been a clinical instructor in the department of ocular pathology at the University of California. As a primary eye care provider in private practice in Burlingame, he is also board certified in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of primary open angle glaucoma.