How does DOLLAR SHAVE CLUB relate to my eyes?

It doesn’t! Well, not exactly.

Large companies have realized it is more economical to leverage massive marketing campaigns on social media to lure the public into purchasing products. Dollar Shave Club uses Netflix’s subscription model to sell razors instead of DVD’s. This is being done for other products the public perceives as overly expensive. Eyeglasses and Contact Lenses are no exception. One of the newer companies to adopt this model is Hubble Contact lenses. I’m sure you’ve seen their advertisements on social media promising contacts delivered monthly to your door for the low-low price of only $39 a month.

What could go wrong?

Well, a lot! Optometrists are trained to fit contact lenses in office, observe these lenses on the eye, and follow up at a later date after repeated wear to watch for reactions. Hubble tries to avoid this model by selling direct to consumer – without a doctor fitting the product. Without anybody verifying a patient can see with the lenses. Without ever having a doctor observe a lens on the eye.

To get to a low price point, Hubble is selling a lens based on a material that was developed in the 1980s. The lenses are manufactured in Taiwan by St. Shine Company using “Methafilcon A”. This material has very low oxygen permeability and has an increased risk of ocular complications. So an old, outdated, mediocre product, is put in a trendy new box and sold to consumers as if it’s the latest and greatest!

On top of this, $39 a month over 12 months equals $468 which is expensive! As of today (7/29/2019) at Tacoma Eye, a one year supply of a quality monthly lens (Aquaclear Premium) is just $220 and these are not lenses built on 40-year-old technology.

People would not seriously consider using a cellphone from the 1980s let alone a medical device like a contact lens. Hubble’s “inexpensive” lenses become even more expensive once you factor in Aquaclear Premium’s manufacturer rebate and add in the cost of potential medical visits once a patient develops adverse reactions to Hubble’s lenses.

At Tacoma Eye, we put you in the healthiest product that is comfortable and provides you with the sharpest vision possible. We put your eye health first and our goal is to give you first-rate products and service. We set our prices to compete with reputable online vendors and offer great deals (Patients who order a 1 year supply of contact lenses enjoy a $50 discount on any eyeglasses in our office). Not to mention you are supporting a locally owned and operated business.

Contact us to see how we can improve your sight today.