Contact lens question - is this true?!
Question: Is it true that the brand of contact lens is part of the prescription? I went to get contact lenses and the doctor not only wrote the numbers on the prescription but specified the brand also. I questioned that because I wanted to shop amongst different brands, but he said that the brand is part of the prescription. Well, it's a year later and I absolutely hated that brand (and was told all my problems were "normal" and that was the best brand when I called the office about it shortly after beginning the year). Am I truly stuck in a brand I hate?
Problems included: constant drying out, feeling uncomfortable, only a couple kinds of solutions were comfortable with them, can't wear for more than 10 hours, etc.
Answers: Is it true that the brand of contact lens is part of the prescription? I went to get contact lenses and the doctor not only wrote the numbers on the prescription but specified the brand also. I questioned that because I wanted to shop amongst different brands, but he said that the brand is part of the prescription. Well, it's a year later and I absolutely hated that brand (and was told all my problems were "normal" and that was the best brand when I called the office about it shortly after beginning the year). Am I truly stuck in a brand I hate?
Problems included: constant drying out, feeling uncomfortable, only a couple kinds of solutions were comfortable with them, can't wear for more than 10 hours, etc.
Yep, that's tue. The way it works in the US is that the Dr. writes the brand and parameters on the prescriprtion, then you are stuck with that whether it works or not. Even if you go shopping with your Rx, no one is allowed to change the brand or parameters unless the Dr. changes it himself.
If he won't listen to you or even let you try other brands, you will have to change Dr's and start all over again.
In Canada, the Dr.s don't prescribe the brand or parameters, so you can go to any optician and be fitted with whatever works for you. Opticians will do all the same measurements and are just as qualified at fitting contacts.
I think that is a big flaw in the US system that limits patients to what that one Dr. happens to prefer as a brand.
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Shannon feels that the patient has to do the research first...I don't agree with that. That is what the contact lens fitter is supposed to know.
No matter how many stories and praises you hear about a certain brand, it may not work for you . All your research could be wasted time if the brand you want doesn't fit right.
If you are not happy with what you have, the contact lens fitter should be trying to find a solution for you by trying another brand at least.
I dont think there are really that many 'brands' of contact lens considering it sounds like you have perscription lenses. The problems you have sound normal enough to me, although i wear rigid lenses and can only speak of my experience with them. You say you hated the 'brand,' but possibly it's just that you find contact lenses uncomfortable? What makes you think that another company (if it does exist) would have such a radically different design that you would miraculously find them comfortable? Again, the flaw i think is in the design itself and not the brand. Again, I'm only talking about rigid lenses. If thats not the case with yours then feel free to ignore my advice. good luck.
No it is not true! Your doctor did it just because he gets a kick-back from the lens maker for pushing their product. doctors in every field do it if you let them. Either get a new doctor or insist on another brand! Don't let him railroad you into buying a product that does not work for you! If he keeps insisting, report him to the Better Business Bureau!
I was told, in my daughter's case, that there was only one brand which carried the lens she needed for her (toric (sp?) lens for astigmatism) prescription. Her other eye, which doesn't have an astigmatism, could have used lenses of various brands, but they had their favorite- which we used. I think your question could be answered by calling a few different opticians if you're not satisfied with what you learn here. Best of luck.
Some of these answers are partially correct and others are a little off the wall. It is true that the Ophthalmologist can recommend a type of brand based on their findings during your exam; but you can always ask to have a different brand if you and done your research and know what you want. Most of the time the Doctor does get a small percentage back of what they sell through their patients; but they're doctors, a couple dollars of incentive is not worth giving you the wrong fit for your eyes and ultimately getting a bad reputation. Research the different brands (there are many) and discover the pros and cons of each before your next exam so you know what your doctor is talking about.
The contact lens brand is part of the prescription, but if you went to an optometrist who absolutely refused to try anything else; I say try another Dr. If you wear soft contact lenses there are numerous brands and options to try. You also have to keep in mind the physiology of your eyes. Some people with constant dryness and discomfort just aren't meant to wear contact lenses. But there are also multiple options for dryness (re-wetting drops, artificial tears, punctal plugs).
As far as the doctor's getting "kickbacks" from contact lens manufacturers, this is partially true. But the kickbacks tend to be things like extra diagnostics for fittings, and non monetary kickbacks. In fact most of the "kickbacks" i witnessed were beneficial to the patient not the optometrist. (We had several brands that offered hefty rebates to patient's when they purchased a certain number of boxes, and we didn't get any kickback from that. It was solely to the patient's benefit.) I worked for an optometrist for 10 years and he dealt with numerous contact lens patients and brands. If the patient wasn't satisfied with a particular brand, he would try everything he could to help the patient. A good optometrist ALWAYS has the patient's best interest at heart.
So find a good one who has your best interest at heart.
As A Qualified Optician,
I would suggest you to change your Eye Doctor. He may be just getting huge commissions from referring the particular brand contact lens.
When you are prescribed with contact lens you need the Power and the Base Curve .
To some extend different brands have different base curves but that does not mean that there is only one brand option available for any particular base curve.
Hope This helps