Eyesight prescriptions

[Shipstabber]

A co-worker has told me that prescriptions for eyeglasses and contact lenses differ because of the distance between the glasses and the eyeball. Now I can see this being an issue for very strong prescriptions but for mild shortsightedness, such as mine (my worst eye is -1.00) is a few millimetres really going to make a difference.  I'm looking to get new glasses and contact lenses and I don't want to have to pay for two eye tests!

[Scarlett]

You shouldn't need two eye tests- I didn't. Contact lenses only work with less severe short/long sight. I have some, but since my eyes got worse, they no longer do the job, and they are as strong as you can get. So I just wear my glasses now. But I didn't need 2 eye tests..

[fairy!]

I have glasses & contacts... you only need one actual eye test, but then you have a contact lens consulatation (which I think is free) where they work out the best contacts lenses for you.

[kempie]

A contact lens check is not the same as a full eye test since additional information is required such as fitting parameters.

Contact lens wearers need contact lens checks alongside regular eye tests and whereas eye tests are recommended every 2 years a contact lens check should occur yearly to ensure no adverse health issues from wearing the lenses and my checks have never been free of charge.

[Gilli]

My contact lenses checks have never been free either and to be honest, whilst they do also look at the health aspect of your eyes, the very largest part of the check, timewise, is the old familiar "which is the lowest line you can see ?" test etc.

I've worn lenses for 20 years and until about 6 years ago was always seen & tested in one consultation - walking away with both new glasses and lenses. I still feel that using the guise of a "health check", the two tests are more to do with squeezing an extra �20 or so from the customer.

Maybe independent opticians do things differently ?

[fairy!]

I went for a contact lens check on Wednesday at SpecSavers & it was FREE! :-)

[kittysaloon]

Only one eye exam is done. The power may then be converted by the contact lens fitter for the contacts.