Contact Lenses at David Faulder Opticians
David Faulder and his team are specialists in the fitting of contact lenses. As Independent Opticians we are free to supply all types from Daily Disposables to Gas Permeables.
Our Policy and Fees
All new patients to the practice will require a sight test first. This examination, which usually takes about half an hour, checks the prescription, any degree of astigmatism, the health of the eyes and also provides a basis for the fitting of the contact lenses. The charge for this is currently £25.00 unless you are entitled to a free test under the NHS or you have an eye care voucher.
Following this is the actual contact lens examination which usually takes up to one hour. During this test, the optician will determine the most suitable type of lens for you. This will depend on prescription, lifestyle, hobbies and occupation.
You will be shown how to insert and remove lenses yourself and usually lenses are given to you on the day. You will be given a wearing schedule and asked to return in a few days for a follow up check. The charge for this examination is currently £60.00 and the follow-up is free. Occasionally we need to order lenses for you to try which we don’t keep in stock and you may therefore require an extra visit which is also free. Any further examinations are charged at £35.00 usually for a half hour visit.
Practice Plan or Pay as You Go
We have two systems of supplying contact lenses at our Practice. Practice Plan or Pay as You Go. You may choose either but BOTH require you to buy lenses from our Practice. We do not see patients who intend to purchase lenses elsewhere, for example on the internet, as this is not cost effective and does not allow us to carefully monitor the health of the eyes and give the very personal and continuing aftercare that is so vital to contact lens fitting.
Practice Plan
Most patients choose this option. You pay £20.00 per month which covers any number of contact lens or sight examinations. This is the real cost of our professional time and we are then able to reduce the contact lenses to virtually cost prices which allows us to compete with the very lowest prices you may find. In effect you are paying for our professional time and not the product. If you choose this method we also give you 25% off spectacles and 20% off sunglasses as a loyalty bonus. In addition any consultation fees paid for the initial visits will be refunded in full.
Pay as You Go
Sometimes the preferred choice for people who wear their lenses very occasionally. Very simply, we charge you for each visit and normal prices apply to the contact lenses. No discounts apply to spectacles or sunglasses.
How Often Should You Be Examined?
We normally see patients once a year for a sight test and an average of three times a year for contact lens consultations. The General Optical Council will not allow us to supply contact lenses if it is over one year since your last contact lens check and you must not allow more than two years to elapse before a normal sight test.
How Safe Are Contact Lenses?
Over the last twenty five years we have seen huge improvements in contact lens design and materials. Lenses are extremely safe provided a few simple guidelines of hygiene and common sense are applied and we at David Faulder Opticians have an exemplary record in this field.
If you need any further information please do not hesitate to ask David or one of his staff who will be delighted to help you.
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