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All Optometrists are independent of the optical shops in the State of NC. Therefore, the doctors next door to the different locations of Costcos or other chains will vary in price.
It is all about the type of contact lenses you wear what your fitting fee will run. Price the eye exam, contacts lens fitting fees, and dilation via phone. The pricing will vary. Know your doctor's pricing before you make the appointment so that you are not shocked at what you pay out the door.
All Optometrists are independent of the optical shops in the State of NC. Therefore, the doctors next door to the different locations of Costcos or other chains will vary in price.
It is all about the type of contact lenses you wear what your fitting fee will run. Price the eye exam, contacts lens fitting fees, and dilation via phone. The pricing will vary. Know your doctor's pricing before you make the appointment so that you are not shocked at what you pay out the door.
Do not assume that their pricing is all the same.
Yeah, it was the same setup back in Virginia so I understood that going in. I was just surprised at how much more expensive it was than what I had paid in the past. Heck, even when I had no vision coverage at all I wasn't paying $200 for an contact lens exam! I also could have understood it being more costly if I had to be fitted with several different types to find the best one, scheduled for a follow up exam, etc. I was also charged an extra $20 because I had an astigmatism. Anyhow, I will definitely call around from now on!
Hey - I wanted to bump this back up - I took the suggestion of going to Costco for an Eye Exam. Well, it was a great price. Only $65.00 for an exam (he dilates everyone included in the price). If you have contacts its $30.00 extra for the fitting. I have an astigmatism in my left eye and I'm used to paying extra... Well, the doc told me that I have a "slight astigmatism in each eye" and didn't charge extra. I will be using COSTCO from now on. I only paid $95.00 total. Cheaper than Wal-Mart, Lens Crafters and Sears.
The doctor I saw was on Wake Forest Road - he's only there Thursday, Friday, Saturday - Dr. James Herring. Very nice guy.
Which BCBSNC do you have? I am guessing you did not opt for vision coverage? Did you ask them if there is a discount plan on the eye exam attached to your plan? As an ex eye care professional, I would recommend Dr. Besharat at Lenscrafters at Southpoint or Dr. Miller at Lenscrafters at North Hills Mall. I like Dr. Miller because he takes his time and the North Hills location is not very busy. He is thorough and patient. My partner is picky (high astigmatic) and will be seeing him this year. I know my plan gives me a discount rate on the regular eye exam--$43. Contacts lens fittings is where they get you. I would call around and tell the dr.'s office what type of contacts you wear and how much the CL fitting will run. I buy my contacts from Costco. They are fairly inexpensive. Good luck.
Dr. Miller is GREAT! He discounts 30% for AAA members on glasses exam. Ask about contacts.
Hey - I wanted to bump this back up - I took the suggestion of going to Costco for an Eye Exam. Well, it was a great price. Only $65.00 for an exam (he dilates everyone included in the price). If you have contacts its $30.00 extra for the fitting. I have an astigmatism in my left eye and I'm used to paying extra... Well, the doc told me that I have a "slight astigmatism in each eye" and didn't charge extra. I will be using COSTCO from now on. I only paid $95.00 total. Cheaper than Wal-Mart, Lens Crafters and Sears.
The doctor I saw was on Wake Forest Road - he's only there Thursday, Friday, Saturday - Dr. James Herring. Very nice guy.
I did notice that the eye doctor outside of Costco on Wake Forest Rd. had changed - it sounds like this new one is much more reasonable than the one I went to. Good to know!
Costco eye exam... the lenses there might beat what you'll find online, too.
ugh - to each their own but when it comes to my eyes, discount places are not what I think to aim for. Buy something else cheaper and spend the extra. It's your eyes.
ugh - to each their own but when it comes to my eyes, discount places are not what I think to aim for. Buy something else cheaper and spend the extra. It's your eyes.
Contact lenses at Costco cost 50% of what my eye doctor wanted to charge for the same exact brand and prescription. You can choose to spend more, but I think I'll pass.
Well if it's the same exact thing, sure. My point is questioning what quality of eye exam/care/recommendations you might get in such places. For ex I went for a free exam (another state) regarding lasik and they went sure, no problem, you're a great candidate etc - then I went elsewhere to a highly respected establishment who did much more extensive testing - and told me I was not a good candidate and explained in great detail why.
Well if it's the same exact thing, sure. My point is questioning what quality of eye exam/care/recommendations you might get in such places. For ex I went for a free exam (another state) regarding lasik and they went sure, no problem, you're a great candidate etc - then I went elsewhere to a highly respected establishment who did much more extensive testing - and told me I was not a good candidate and explained in great detail why.
As an earlier poster mentioned, the eye doctors are not affiliated with Costco in any way - they just have an office in the same building (okay, they probably pay rent to Costco). I went to a "real" eye doctor for the first time this year - a fairly large medical practice that does eye surgery, etc. Frankly I didn't feel that the eye exam I got there was any different from ones I had gotten at eye doctors next to Costco, or for that matter, Walmart. Other than my appointment took a lot longer due to sitting in the waiting room, and then sitting and waiting (and waiting) for the eye doctor to come in. I would definitely not buy my contacts or glasses from them because their prices were very high.
As for Lasik - I would definitely not go for a "free exam" at a place that performs Lasik and expect to get an unbiased opinion. And, I don't think that because you received bum advice in that situation doesn't mean that every Doctor of Optometry located next to a retail establishment is somehow inferior. They have have to build a practice somehow, and I'm sure all that equipment they use costs a pretty penny. I wouldn't go to one for cataract surgery (that would require an opthamologist/eye M.D.), but I would for an updated eyeglass or contacts lens prescription (which is what they specialize in).
Hey - I wanted to bump this back up - I took the suggestion of going to Costco for an Eye Exam. Well, it was a great price. Only $65.00 for an exam (he dilates everyone included in the price). If you have contacts its $30.00 extra for the fitting. I have an astigmatism in my left eye and I'm used to paying extra... Well, the doc told me that I have a "slight astigmatism in each eye" and didn't charge extra. I will be using COSTCO from now on. I only paid $95.00 total. Cheaper than Wal-Mart, Lens Crafters and Sears.
The doctor I saw was on Wake Forest Road - he's only there Thursday, Friday, Saturday - Dr. James Herring. Very nice guy.
Just an update on this thread. I just spoke to a receptionist at Costco Wake Forest Rd, and was told $100 for a contact lens exam, with an extra $40 for astigmatism.
Considering it's now 2011, that's not too much of a bump, I guess.
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