how much does a contact lens exam cost?
People are often surprised to learn the cost of a contact lens exam in 2022, while tests are similar to the cost of a standard eye exam.
The main difference between a contact lens exam and a regular eye exam lies in the need for your ophthalmologist to obtain precise dimensions of the shape of your eye, especially the cornea and lens, so that your lenses of contact fit comfortably.
Reading: How much is a contact lens exam without insurance
In addition, certain eye conditions may warrant further evaluation if you require specialized contact lenses to treat keratoconus, astigmatism, presbyopia, dry eye syndrome, and other unique eye problems.
average cost of a contact lens exam without insurance
Typically, the average cost of a contact lens exam is between $120 and $250.
The average cost of a regular eye exam will vary depending on where you live and the type of optometry office you visit.
That said, keep in mind that these are averages.
Uninsured contact lens fittings can start as low as $100. You’ll find big name brands like america’s best that will offer the cheapest options. we suggest calling several optician/optometric offices near you to find the best eye exam rates for your needs.
discount retailers
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Eye exams at large retail chains like visionworks and walmart will generally cost less, and ophthalmologists in private practice will charge more.
Optometrists who work in department stores and big box stores often charge less, but may not provide the in-depth contact lens exam you need to receive properly fitting contacts and offer superior housing qualities.
insurance coverage
Having vision insurance will significantly reduce the cost of all eye and eye health exams.
When you buy an eye insurance policy, your out-of-pocket costs go down based on the deductible amount you choose.
Eye insurance works similarly to health insurance and helps pay for exams, glasses, contact lenses, eye disease treatment and even prescriptions. If you’re interested in eye and vision insurance, we’d be happy to discuss your options with you and help you find eye insurance that’s right for you.
Other factors that contribute to the cost of a contact lens exam
If you need tests outside of the scope of standard eye tests, such as tear film or corneal topography, the cost of your contact lens exam may be slightly higher than anticipated.
However, these additional tests are necessary to determine which type of contact lens is right for you.
If you have no other eye conditions besides refractive errors (nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism), you may not need more extensive eye tests. In addition, you may need to treat some eye conditions before you can wear contact lenses, such as blepharitis. An inflammation of the eyelids most commonly seen in older adults, blepharitis is treated with oral antibiotics, corticosteroids, or topical antibiotics prescribed by your Jacksonville ophthalmologist.
If you are concerned about possible additional costs to your contact lens exam, we would be happy to discuss this with you.
what to expect during a contact lens fitting
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Making sure your contact lenses aren’t too steep, too flat, or the wrong size is essential to keeping your eyes healthy and optimizing vision. During your contact lens exam with your jacksonville ophthalmologist, one or more of the following measurements will be taken on both eyes:
the curvature of your cornea: Using an ophthalmic device called a keratomer, your ophthalmologist measures the curvature of your cornea to obtain diameter and girth dimensions. Keratometry readings also determine if you have astigmatism, as they detect differences in power of vision in the cornea. Using this device helps your ophthalmologist find any existing irregularities on the surface of your eye that may indicate that you need special contact lenses called toric contact lenses. Available as soft, disposable, extended wear and multifocal lenses, toric contact lenses are typically prescribed for people with astigmatism.
corneal topography: If keratometry does not provide enough information for your jacksonville ophthalmologist, you may need to map the corneal surface using a corneal topography device. this allows ophthalmologists to capture fine details that are not visible during a keratometry procedure by creating a corneal map made up of different colors and contours.
While keratometers measure the dimensions of the cornea’s curvature by evaluating just four “points,” corneal topography equipment is linked to computer software that analyzes thousands of corneal points set along predetermined lines.
Slit Lamp Test: Iris and pupil size play a critical role in the design of your contact lenses, especially if you require gas permeable lenses. Pupil and iris measurements are taken with a biomicroscope or slit-lamp device that consists of a tiny microscope and an intense beam of light.
Iris and pupil sizes vary significantly and contribute to the size contact lenses must be to fit properly. Slit-lamp tests are also useful for viewing the retina and optic nerve, for detecting cataracts, iritis, and conjunctivitis, and for monitoring macular degeneration and glaucoma.
tear film test: To determine if you need special contact lenses due to inadequate tear production, your Jacksonville ophthalmologist may place a drop of liquid dye in both eyes for testing with a device sliding lamp. .
By placing a strip of paper just below the lower lid of each eye, your ophthalmologist can also assess how well and how quickly eye fluids moisten the strip.
Call us today to schedule an appointment!
To schedule an appointment for a contact lens exam, call our jacksonville ophthalmologist today. val-uvision also provides professional pre- and post-op care for people planning to have lasik or other eye surgeries.
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