Are Proclear Contact Lenses Really Discontinued?
While it seems simple enough to go to an online site to purchase contact lenses, the fact is there is a lot more to entering your credit card number to get the proper contact lenses.
I was browsing around at some discount online contact lens retailers today when I noticed a major website was decieving the public. They have a big banner next to the proclear line of lenses stating that these lenses have been discontinued. However, if you have been fit with these lenses they will be happy to provide with a different eye care provider to "re-fit" you.
I am writing this article to set one small record straight. Proclear Compatibles by cooper vision have not been discontinued. In fact it is one of the greatest line of lenses for dry eyes and general lens comfort.
There is a history between eye care providers and online retailers for butting heads. They are in direct business competition, and fair marketing is totally acceptable. I only get upset when companies lie to consumers.
As a contact lens fitter myself, I can say I have spoken with numerous patients who have called or spoken to online retailers who substitute prescription lenses or "recommend" different lenses than what have been prescribed. If you live in the United States, the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act requires sellers of contact lenses to verify prescriptions.
Unfortunately, I have seen more than one instance, in my practice alone, where people have been sold lenses other than I have prescirbed. Despite my best educational efforts, all this happens unbeknowsted to me untill a patient has a problem.
I had one patient who came in stating that her lenses were no longer comfortable. After I checked, I noticed that this patient was not wearing the same lenses I prescribed. When I asked she said the folks at the online store assured her they were the same lenses I prescribed. FYI - just because the numbers on the box appear to be the same does not mean the lenses are the same.
In this case, I am simply happy the patient came in before the ill-fitted lenses "fit" over the phone by a call center caused a more serious complication such as excessive neovascularization, corneal ulceration, or abrasions. In this case, I am certain these lenses would have led to neovascularization and eventually an abrasion.
In another case, a patient was kind enough to call me when a company sent a different lens. In this case the type of lens and prescription was wrong! this person has astigmatism and needed lenses with -3.50 diopters of cylinder. The online retailer sent a substitute pair of lenses with only -2.25 diopters of cylinder. This person called because they could not see very well through their new lenses and they were not as comfortable as what she was previously wearing.
Aside from the obvious health, vision and discomfort issues these poor people were out money. So much for the "we deliver, you save" type taglines. No, both these people were coerced into a full year supply of contact lenses that were 100% useless to them.
If these patients had simply called my office first to ask, they would not be in such a predicament. If you are looking to save money on contact lenses, be cautious of the fine print. It never hurts to ask your eye care professional about replacement contact lenses. In my experience, I have found that most people actually save money, time, and aggravation by forming a closer relationship with their eye care provider.
Steve Cogger is a contact lens specialist practicing in New York, New York. For more valuable contact lens information, visit All About Contact Lenses today.
