Prescription Eyeglasses

[George Bokros]

My wife and I both wear bifocal glasses. We have been buying our glaseses from the optical dispensing arm of the doctor that examines our eyes. The glasses with frames, I realize the frames are a significant part of the cost, but the glasses have been costing us in $400 oi $500 range. We need to find a lower cost alternative.

Has anyone used the one that are always adverising on television, Americas Choice or others, WalMart or Sams Club? If so what are your thoughts and how have the glasses been, decent quality? Can you recommend a source for pressription eyeglasses?

Also, do the new Transitions type of lenses that darken when you go into the sun work behind the tinted glass in cars? I know years ago they did not.

Also does anyone have any type of discount vision insurance. What I mean is you pay a premium and get substantial discounts on your glasses. We have discount dental insurance that works that way and for a $199 annual premium for the two of us we save a substantial amount on our dental visits.

Thanks for any input or experiences.

[Adam Herman]

we use Costco for our glasses, i don't think a pair has ever been more than $200. we don't get bifocals...yet.

check into VSP for vision insurance. we have it through our work, but i'm sure they sell to individuals as well. We get our exams covered and a discount on glasses from the usual places. the discount is not huge at costco but the total cost to us is always less.

[Brett Luna]

I'm not sure my experience will be helpful but here goes...

Prices: I've bought a pair or two at Walmart and Costco. They were okay price-wise but the frame selection was limited at Costco. I've gotten my last few pair at the base exchange optical shop (I'm a retiree) right next door to the optometrist. They're just okay on prices, too but they're convenient for when we're on base doing the weekly shopping. Still, with my astigmatism and presbyopia, and Transition lenses, they get into the $400+ neighborhood before insurance.

Insurance: I do have a vision plan but it's through my Federal Government employee benefits: FEP BlueVision provided by Davis Vision. I think Davis only deals in group policies.

Transitions: I really like my Transitions lenses. I'm on my second set. Although they aren't advertised to do so, my "Signature" lenses darken just a tad in truck. At the time I bought them, they had a "Drive" flavor that worked behind auto glass but they were much slower to turn and they started with a pronounced tint, being intended as driving glasses. They didn't have a clear version. I note that they now have a line called XTRACTIVE that get darker and work in cars. They have a slight tint and since I'm about due for new specs I think I'll check them out.

[Pat Barry]

I've bought several glasses from Zenni optical online and have been happy with the quality and price can't be beat. They are not the most stylish though so if you are looking for designer frames look elsewhere. I have gone with standard bifocals, not progressives. They seem to offer all the standard options. I will buy from them again in the future.

[Bruce Page]

I'll be following this thread because I need to find a cheaper source as well. I did Costco once and wasn't impressed. I had to return them because the bi-focal was positioned so low that I got a stiff neck using them. The replacement pair was only marginally better. My last pair from a new source work great but cost me $550.

[lee cox]

I use Walmart as I like the doc and live in a small town just outside a big city. Anything which saves me from driving in to the big city is a deal for me.

[Paul F Franklin]

My wife and I have been buying from Zenni for many years. We both wear progressive bi-focals. We've never had a problem, and when my eye doctor checks the prescription of them they have also been right on spec. Agree with Pat that they are generally not stylish, but that isn't important to me. I always order both regular glasses and prescription sunglasses and both pairs together are a lot less than I used to pay at one of the chains. The only part I've ever had fail was the little silicon nose pad....easily and cheaply replaced. I don't care for the self-darkening lenses...they don't get dark enough for me. I always order the darkest sunglass tint.

You can upload a picture to their web site and virtually "try on" different styles to see how they look. It only gives you a rough idea, but I think it's more helpful than looking in a mirror at the optician when you can't see without your glasses!

Probably the biggest issue with online glasses is that you have to adjust them for fit yourself. Not a big deal, but sometimes getting the nose pieces on wire rims set correctly takes some experimentation.

You will need your pupillary distance (distance between center of your eyes) to order online. Not part of the prescription, but your eye doctor can measure it for you if you ask, or you can do it yourself.

They take 2-3 weeks, since they are coming from overseas. I usually order a spare pair, unless the prescription change was minor (usually).

[Matt Meiser]

My daughter and I both have glasses from Americas Best. Daughter started it because she wanted a couple different pair for fashion reasons. We made her ask our eye doctor what she thought and the doctor said she had no problem with it. Then she wanted me to try a prescription specifically for closeup to try to avoid bifocals a little longer and suggested I get something cheap since it was a little bit of an experiment. I ended up with 2pr for cheap and they are pretty decent. My daughter got her latest "good" pair there too.

Contacts, my wife got her last order at Costco. Eye doctor said their prices are lower than her cost. Costco is a pain for us though as the closet Costco locations are 40 minutes away and it takes 2 trips. We make the trek every couple months already, but for vision stuff have to make a second.

Vision insurance--my employer just got vision. We have 60-something people. Before we were too small a group to get it at any kind of reasonable price. And that's a plan tied to our healthcare coverage. I'm probably not going to save a ton overall by having it either comparing my average yearly cost to the premium. Some, but not a lot.

[Frederick Skelly]

Try eyebuydirect .com online George. My Dad just saved a bundle there.

[Bruce Wrenn]

I've been buying my safety glasses from Walmart for years. Exam and glasses run just a little over $200 for bi-focals. Can't tell any difference from the $500 ones I was buying before.

[Alan Trout]

I have been using Zenni for a couple of years. I have used Costco, Sams, and Walmart. By far my best pair of glasses i have ever gotten was from Zenni same for my wife. My last set was titanium rimless frames, Ultra high index free form progressive lens with the top of the line coating all for $130. If I had gotten those from a doctors dispensary it would have be close to $800 sams would have bee $500. A great deal and good quality.

[Bob Grier]

I just did the Costco exam, frames and lenses (bifocal) for 2 pair. One pair is dark glasses. Cost of exam including retina scan ($35) was $115. Two pairs of bifocal glasses was $257.

I have been doing Costco for quite a few years now and been satisfied. Yeas ago I paid much more for glasses. I go for the middle of Costco's range for frames.

[Dave Lehnert]

Just got my first pair of bifocals about 3 weeks ago.
I had always been happy with Walmart and was the first place I went to this time. But was not as cheap as years past.
I ended up getting my bifocals at Target Optical. I have been very happy with them so far. My total cost was not much more than Walmart quoted for just the lenses.
I got top of the line lenses and a frame for around $350 (Frame was $120)
For some reason safety glasses lenses are cheaper.

I had insurance for glasses at my last job. But if you figured the cost and get a new pair every two I don't think I was much ahead.
I had insurance through the Ohio Farm Bureau but it was cheaper to just use the store sale price this time around.

[Jerome Stanek]

I get the script and shop a few places. I never buy from the place I get my exam from as they are about $200 higher than other places. I ended up at Walmart this time but last time I did better at Sears. I get glass lenses and photo gray. Some places don't carry those

[Kurt Kintner]

We have used Zenni for a while, too .... My last pair of bi-focals were less than $50...
My single vision sunglasses with aviator frames were $37 .... So cheap, I bought
a pair to keep in each vehicle.... Prescription is always spot-on ....

[Ole Anderson]

My ophthalmologist has a nice selection of glasses in his shop, but typically about $500 for bifocals, scratch resistant, reflective coated. My local optometrist has two convenient locations, typically about $100 less than my ophthalmologist. But much better service with long term employees that are very helpful. Just last week I needed to get one lens changed out due to getting cataract surgery on my right eye. (Other eye three years ago). She offered to replace the left lens at the same time under the scratch warranty that was due to expire in 4 days (lens was not scratched). At the same time she changed the anti-reflective coating to one that was less prone to smudging. And they were able to replace the lens in my prescription bifocal sunglasses I got from Sams for about $150. I just couldn't justify another $400 for sunglasses so I tried Sam's Club which had a wrap style the optometrist didn't have. But they didn't do a good job of fitting the lens to the frames and they had a few gaps which were annoying, particularly with sunglasses. I know I can stop in there anytime for free adjustments and a thorough cleaning including changing out the nose pads. My glasses are important to me, I have been wearing them since I was three years old. So what I am saying is that I am willing to pay a premium for good service.

[Steve Peterson]

I've bought several glasses from Zenni optical online and have been happy with the quality and price can't be beat. They are not the most stylish though so if you are looking for designer frames look elsewhere. I have gone with standard bifocals, not progressives. They seem to offer all the standard options. I will buy from them again in the future.

My first pair of glasses were from LensCrafters and cost around $400. I tried ordering a really cheap backup pair from Zenni and was really disappointed. Maybe I should have spent more than $10 for the frame. :)

Then I went to Costco and got a backup pair plus sunglasses for around $200. I really like them. It is nice to be able to actually try on the frames.

Steve

[Erik Loza]

I had lasik about 8 years ago and can fucntion fine most of the time without corrective eyewear but in the last couple of years, driving at night strains my eyes, so I went in and got some eyeglasses at the local place. My wife made a suggestion to me. Get a pair of really nice frames for business meetings, formal events, etc., then a cheap pair to keep in the car. I might try that Zenni site when I need another cheap pair.

Erik

[Dick Thomas]

WOW! You just never know where you'll pick up a useful tip! I checked the Off Topic forum just for grins, and look what I find.

A question for the Zenni recommenders - & other on-line options: ?? What about FIT?
How do you get your glasses adjusted for your face - or is that a do-it-yourself function????

[George Bokros]

Question about how do they tje correct placement for the bifocal when you buy on line? That is usually done by a measurement

[Kev Williams]

Based on what I'm reading, guess my last glasses from Sears @ $440 wasn't too bad-- Polycarb, scratch resistant (that's a laugh), darkening (and these get SO dark that after snowblowing when the sun's out, when I go down to my basement shop, they're literally too dark to see with), and transitional, which was some new type that actually does eliminate the side-to-side distortion. Other than the focus issues (below), they're very much like not even wearing transitionals...

Issues-- they're scratched up BADLY, and any attempt to buff or polish them out is of no help. I've been told they don't even 'do' glass lenses any more. Not sure how true, but I never scratched glass like I have these...

And my favorite pet peeve: No matter how well I try to explain to the hired help WHERE on the lenses I want the close-range transition to start, that never happens. It's like there's some industry standard I have to suffer with. This is my 4th set of transition lenses and they've all been the same: The far-sight grind goes well below the lens centerline which is WAY too far down--I have to tilt my head UP to see my computer monitor that I'm looking DOWN at. Or the food I'm eating, or the work I'm doing. Or the speedometer in the car. And the close-close focus range is so far down that it's useless-- I have to pull my glasses up just to get my eyes lined up with that final 1/8" of lens to read fine print, etc..

I would much rather tilt my head down a bit (or slide my glassed down my nose a snick) to see far away than have to raise my head to focus on 90% of everything I look at every day. All they have to do is start the close-transition at 30% down the lens. I always ask for this, even draw lines on the test glasses. It's never happened...

Never heard of Zenni, I'll be checking into them...

[Jerome Stanek]

I checked Sears just this past year and they do glass. Walmart also does glass they had 3 levels of bifocal lenses.

[Paul F Franklin]

Yes, it's DIY as I mentioned. Its a little trial and error, but I usually just make them look like my old pair and tweak from there. I had also found myself tweaking the fit of new glasses anyway, even when adjusted by the optician; after a few days of wearing them something would hurt or be loose and it was easier to tweak them then go back to have them adjusted.

The trickiest part is the nose pad on wire frames since you have to do the angle, up/down position, and spacing all correct and it's especially important with multi-focal lenses to get the up down position right. That's where comparing to existing good fitting pair is especially useful.

[roger wiegand]

Extremely happy with our local Costco, price is about 1/4 what the local "good" optometrist charges for an indistinguishable product. Our place seems to have very well-trained, experienced techs who do the fitting and measurements.

[Mike Null]

I've bought my last several pairs of tri-focals at Pearl for $400 plus. I get a good fit they are quick to fix anything and I can't tell you if one price is better than another. I am resigned to paying over $400 and that's it.

The "insurance" we get with our Medicare supplement is probably a phony to direct business to certain suppliers.

[Jerome Stanek]

what gets me is the same company owns most of the places Luxottica owns all these places

Sunglass hut
LensCrafters
Pearle Vision
Sears Optical
Target Opticl
OPSM


ILORI
EyeMed Vision Care
Optical Shop of Aspen
Laubman & Pank
GMO
Oliver Peoples
Alain Mikli
Oakley
David Clulow
Glasses.com
Econópticas

[Matt Meiser]

I wouldn't buy anything at Sears you might want serviced or warrantied more than a few months out. Analysts are not very rosy on Sears's future.

[Julie Moriarty]

what gets me is the same company owns most of the places Luxottica owns all these places
There's an interesting article (http://www.forbes.com/sites/anaswanson/2014/09/10/meet-the-four-eyed-eight-tentacled-monopoly-that-is-making-your-glasses-so-expensive/#945d8b54dc83) about them in Forbes. From the article:

Meet the four-eyed, eight-tentacled monopoly that is making your eyeglasses so darned expensive. Luxottica estimates (http://www.cbsnews.com/news/luxottica-eyewear-why-are-glasses-expensive/) that at least half a billion people around the world are currently wearing their glasses. I don’t know about you, but I am pushing them up my nose right now.

Luxottica controls 80% of the major brands (http://www.forbes.com/sites/deancrutchfield/2012/11/27/luxottica-sees-itself-as-king-raising-questions-about-brand-authenticity/) in the $28 billion global eyeglasses industry. This monopolistic structure of the market leads to profits that are “relatively obscene,” says Tim Wu, a professor of law at Columbia University and the author of The Master Switch. In a speech (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9KZGceLcL8) given at this year’s annual conference for New America, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank, Wu remarks that products in some industries seem to only get better and cheaper — laptops, for example — while other products, like eyeglasses, remain strangely pricey, with only superficial innovation.

I am far-sighted with a slight astigmatism. I wear contacts and use store-bought cheaters for up close. Last eye doctor visit I decided to get a pair of bi-focal prescription glasses. They would have cost me around $250 but my insurance covered all but $12. I couldn't get used to them and they now sit in their case. Contacts cost me about $100/yr. Luxottica will have to wait.

[Mel Fulks]

I wouldn't buy anything at Sears you might want serviced or warrantied more than a few months out. Analysts are not very rosy on Sears's future.
Sounds like the analysts have myopic vision of Sears .....but refuse to buy their glasses.

[Harry Hagan]

I saved enough at Costco on my first pair of eyeglasses to pay my membership fee for 1.5 years. The lady in the optical shop said Costco sold eyeglasses for less than her previous employer could buy them.

[Jerome Stanek]

Last Saturday I hit a deer that smashed the windshield and drivers window and my glasses took the brunt of the flying glass. They were chipped up pretty bad and I called Walmart to see if they were covered. The store said they should be and to come in and they would take care of it when I got there they told me that they already ordered new lenses today they called and I have my new set of glasses including frames no charge.

[Mac McQuinn]

I've been wearing glasses for 50 years, progressive Bi-focals for 14 years. Even though I've always purchased frames & lenses from the eye doctor's optometry segment, I have had some issues through the years. I can't imagine going through either a online service or discount store. There are so many variables in lens, their construction, grinding, fitting etc. Add a multiple of variables in your eye condition and what works for you and things can go south in a hurry.
My luck usually isn't good enough to take a chance, even though I pay the higher price, for me it's worth the expense. My current frame is 5.5 years old and still tight as new. I'm not a slave of fashion so don't change out frames just for the hang of it so typically the price isn't bad over the long haul.

[Jerome Stanek]

When I was getting prices I stopped at a private place and asked about glass lenses and they told me that they are to dangerous to sell. I only will wear glass as plastic scratches to easily when I run the CNC and get dust on them

[Mac McQuinn]

When I was getting prices I stopped at a private place and asked about glass lenses and they told me that they are to dangerous to sell. I only will wear glass as plastic scratches to easily when I run the CNC and get dust on them

Try some Uvex over-glasses. I found a pair at a woodworking show which fit very nicely over my poly street glasses. The clarity is excellent, even when using measuring devices and reading small print. They fit closely to your frames and stay snug.
Mac

[Paul F Franklin]

The anti-scratch coating you can get on the polycarbonate lenses helps, but the best way to prevent scratches is to never wipe them without rinsing with water first.

[Jerome Stanek]

The anti-scratch coating you can get on the polycarbonate lenses helps, but the best way to prevent scratches is to never wipe them without rinsing with water first.


I don't have running water in the shop

[Mac McQuinn]

I don't have running water in the shop


Blow the glasses of with compressed air, use a large spray bottle w/ water to flush the glasses well. I mix mine w/vinegar and it really does a nice job of removing smudges.
Mac

[Rick Moyer]

I don't have running water in the shop
Me either, but I keep water in an old used laundry detergent jug, especially if you have one with the push-button spout. very handy.

[Rich Enders]

Is there a JC Penny near you? You have to arm wrestle with them, but I paid $87 each for the last two pair. The computer automatically adds coatings, and expidited delivery, and.... But if you patiently reject the extras one by one you will wind up with a reasonable price. According to Penny I have a RayBan turtle shell frame and plastic lenses. I have 4 pair (different focal lengths) with the oldest being 3 years old. I have had no issues with the frames, and no issues with the lenses even though I use whatever is handy to clean them. There was a special on 60 minutes regarding the rip-off in frames. Basically one ultimately monopolistic supplier or something like that.