Your vision "insurance" is terrible...

It is, regardless of the company or how great they make it sound to you, it is all terrible. It is a decent discount plan, and should be explained to you that way also. Most of the time it drives me crazy, and makes me feel bad for my patients when they are misguided by their insurance. "my insurance said i get a free pair of lenses every year" thats true...almost. yes, if you stay within the guidelines they don't tell you about, then your lenses are covered in full. Don't expect them to be what you want, and definitely don't expect them to really be what you need. "I want to see the frames that are free under my plan" Your insurance covers an amount of any frame, usually they aren't the frames you want, and they defiantly aren't the best options for you. "why do i still have to pay so much after insurance?" this is the one that kills me every time. Most of these companies shouldn't be able to call themselves insurance, and most don't. they use names like vision plans, and vision benefit plans to mask their true role, Discount plan. They offer you a discount toward most of the products you want and need. You should always keep that in mind while looking at glasses, NEED. Glasses are a medical device, you do have a NEED for them. There are some elements involved that are more on the want side than the need side, but somethings can be surprising. You don't necessarily NEED lighter thinner lenses, but if you want your glasses (the only thing you own besides a wedding ring that you will wear everyday all day) to be comfortable and not drive you crazy then you do need that. You don't need a titanium flexible frame, but if you have skin allergies, are rough with your glasses, have kids, or want your frames to be light weight and comfortable, then you do NEED it.

One thing really stands out to me between a want and a need. Anti Reflective coating. That is a NEED. You NEED to be able to see the way the doctor prescribed. There are other benefits to the coating, it is scratch resistant, it is easier to clean, and it looks much better then an uncoated lens. The improved vision should be considered non negotiable by both you and your optician.

Vision plans try to make the lines between need and want a huge gaping divide instead of something that should be a natural choice. Thats their fault, you are at fault here too along with the lens companies, and frame companies. Nobody should expect to get free glasses, shouldn't really expect them to be close to free. Lens and frame companies need to bring down costs so some of the things people need are at a more reasonable price and still make it possible for my kids to eat too.

So what to take from this.... Talk to your doctor, and your optician. They will be more then happy to go over what is needed for your best vision possible, and also what other options will make your glasses work, look and feel better.