We would be interested in other peoples experience of this matter. My wife recently lost a contact lense (one of the hard sort that you change every 2 or 3 years). The presciption was out of date (they are only valid for two years, and are only issued by opthalmologists).
The first opthalmologist we saw (we live near Perpignan) went through all the tests, but then informed us that she could not issue a prescription as we had not left the lenses out for three days. We had not been warned of this before the visit, and , in any case, this was the first time this had been requested ( We are now wondering if all the previous prescriptions might be wrong). Still, no charge.
The second opthal. (lenses out for 3 days this time) did the test but we later realised that he had only done the magnification part. We rang the secretary and she said he only did that, the opticiens would do the curvature and iris diam. parts. In addition, the results were quite different from previous ones (+10.5 as opposed to a previous measurement of +14; my wife is very long sighted). Is this difference due to the fact she left her lenses out for three days? Relieved of 38 euros.
We visited an opticien to see if we could get the other measurements, but they thought the opthal. should have done them. So it looks like back to another opthal. ( first checking that they did all the measurements), and hope that we get some agreement about the magnification.
We prefer to buy them on the Internet as they are considerably cheaper for the same thing (90 euro per lens, as opposed to 150 chez the opticien.
Looking forward to hearing any of your experiences.
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Are lost contact lenses not covered by your house insurance?
Reformatted for ease of reading. @Peter_Whitfield said
We would be interested in other peoples experience of this matter. My wife recently lost a contact lense (one of the hard sort that you change every 2 or 3 years). The presciption was out of date (they are only valid for two years, and are only issued by opthalmologists).
The first opthalmologist we saw (we live near Perpignan) went through all the tests, but then informed us that she could not issue a prescription as we had not left the lenses out for three days. We had not been warned of this before the visit, and , in any case, this was the first time this had been requested ( We are now wondering if all the previous prescriptions might be wrong). Still, no charge.
The second opthal. (lenses out for 3 days this time) did the test but we later realised that he had only done the magnification part. We rang the secretary and she said he only did that, the opticiens would do the curvature and iris diam. parts. In addition, the results were quite different from previous ones (+10.5 as opposed to a previous measurement of +14; my wife is very long sighted). Is this difference due to the fact she left her lenses out for three days? Relieved of 38 euros.
We visited an opticien to see if we could get the other measurements, but they thought the opthal. should have done them. So it looks like back to another opthal. ( first checking that they did all the measurements), and hope that we get some agreement about the magnification.
We prefer to buy them on the Internet as they are considerably cheaper for the same thing (90 euro per lens, as opposed to 150 chez the opticien.
Looking forward to hearing any of your experiences.
1 Like
I assumed it was formatted as an eye test. If you could read it you had your hard contacts in and all was well. If not you may have lost one.
2 Likes
Iāve been wearing hard lenses for over fifty years and, since moving to France find I can get one pair a year āfreeā through my medical insurance, but my optician quoted ā¬160 for a single replacement lens -Boston XO - that I can get from the States through Eurolens for about $30. Get a prescription from your French opthalmist, but buy your preferred brand online.
I just typed it in as normal, the formatting was down to SF.
HI, Thanks for that - most useful reply so far. That is exactly what we want to do, but have you ever heard of the āleave your lens out for 3 days before the testā thing. ?
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The return of the dreaded backtick, but with added quote box
Yes - always when I wore hard lenses in the UK. If the contact lens diameter and radius of curvature are correct, it should not have a great effect on the required strength but badly fitting lenses can have a profound effect.
I think that starting each paragraph with spaces confused the system.
No! a reply must be at least ( characters @billybutcher is that essential?
@james might be able to tweak that.
If I really want to post a short reply I wrap it in a pair of HTML <div> tags.
Eg
<div>No!</div>
It didnāt confuse the system - itās a feature
Starting a paragraph with four spaces switches to a quoted block which uses monospaced text.
Yeah, thatās what I used to say when I was an analyst.
How do you change a bug into a feature? Document it!
I love words,=, but my initial writing is often too verbose (not just on SF) but in other contexts I edit it down. Whereas rare occasions when Iāve got the urge to be v. succinct on SF, itād be great to have the option of a shorter reply.
You do, just need to add a little redundant HTML 
Merci - only 5 charactersā¦
Resuming contact lens pricing two years later, Iām still buying direct from the US, but prices have increased due to the tariff war and have been looking again at buying in France and claiming back on my assurance.
Nevertheless, I hate the idea of paying around ā¬250 for a pair of Boston XO2 hard lens that are currently only $29 each in the States. I think French opticians are screwing the insurance system.
Can you let me know which online retailer you use in the US please?ā¦I agree that the prices charged by opticians here are a bit exaggerated.
Apologies for the length of the following, but Iām trying to give as much useful info as possible.
The company Iāve been using for many years is Eurolens, but their online ordering stopped a few years ago - the websites still active but you can no longe order through it. By coincidence Iāve just ordered a replacement Boston XO2 hard lens by phone from the US this afternoon 5dropped one and then trod on it last night). However, it may be the last time I do it as the price has gone up quite a lot because of the tariff war. The base price was ā¬29 but itās cost me ā¬71 (as against c.ā¬125 from most French opticians.
One of the reasons I used the US supplier today was that they already had my prescription on file., but I was tempted to use this one https://lookmylentille.wixsite.com/krystalpro/product-page/boston-xo2. which offers the same lens for ā¬80. You choose the lens you want then send them a scan of your prescription.
However, I should have an eye test because a lot of French opticians want a prescription thatās less than two years old. So Iām going to get tested, then order spare set in France and claim back on my new assurance policy that includes one set of lenses every year.
Hope that helps, but Iām happy to try and answer any further questions.
Many thanks!