Cost of Eyeglasses
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When you buy glasses online, at least from zenni and goggles4u, you type in your prescription yourself. You do not need it from your doctor. My prescription as long expired (7 or 8 years) but ordering glasses was no problem.
Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
If I had to wear glasses on a constant basis, I'd purchase higher quality frames and lenses from a real opticians office.
Been there, done that, now I know it's a scam. High priced brand names are meaningless in terms of frame quality. In general, larger frames with more actual frame material, are stronger. If you like semi rimless or smaller frames with smaller lenses, they general will not last as long.
The glasses I Have now from Zenni are still the best glasses I've bought; the lenses still fit tight in the semi rimless frame, and the entire package was $40 bucks out the door.
I will never step foot into a US retail eye glass shop ever again. It's as big a ripoff/markup as a mattress.
If I had to wear glasses on a constant basis, I'd purchase higher quality frames and lenses from a real opticians office.
Been there, done that, now I know it's a scam. High priced brand names are meaningless in terms of frame quality. In general, larger frames with more actual frame material, are stronger. If you like semi rimless or smaller frames with smaller lenses, they general will not last as long.
The glasses I Have now from Zenni are still the best glasses I've bought; the lenses still fit tight in the semi rimless frame, and the entire package was $40 bucks out the door.
I will never step foot into a US retail eye glass shop ever again. It's as big a ripoff/markup as a mattress.
So, buying glasses from China is ok but not from the local shop which employs local people?
Someone had to say it...
I tried contact lenses once, in the eye place. Cost $110 to find out that I don't like touching my eyes. Since I'd have to keep around glasses for when my eyes are bothering me (seasonal allergies) I figured it was a high cost way of fixing the problem.
I tried contact lenses once, in the eye place. Cost $110 to find out that I don't like touching my eyes. Since I'd have to keep around glasses for when my eyes are bothering me (seasonal allergies) I figured it was a high cost way of fixing the problem.
$500 ish from a local optical shop.
I get the flexible frames that are near indestructible, and the scratch resistant, variable focus and variable tint lenses, and get a matching set of polarized sunglasses that will overlay on the frame.
I just use contact lenses for when I don't want frames, which is not all that often.
Eyes are pretty important - I'm particular about them. I would not have surgical correction for something that can be corrected otherwise. The risks, while small, are not zero.
I get the flexible frames that are near indestructible, and the scratch resistant, variable focus and variable tint lenses, and get a matching set of polarized sunglasses that will overlay on the frame.
I just use contact lenses for when I don't want frames, which is not all that often.
Eyes are pretty important - I'm particular about them. I would not have surgical correction for something that can be corrected otherwise. The risks, while small, are not zero.
Originally Posted By: supton
So, buying glasses from China is ok but not from the local shop which employs local people?
Someone had to say it...
Are you implying the online opticians are based in china. Mine come from New York or San Fransisco, no one mentioned china till now. Usually receive in 5 to 8 business days.
So, buying glasses from China is ok but not from the local shop which employs local people?
Are you implying the online opticians are based in china. Mine come from New York or San Fransisco, no one mentioned china till now. Usually receive in 5 to 8 business days.
A TV program had an expose on the eyeglass industry. It seems like one company is monopolizing it , causing the massive increases. The company is so powerful that even Wal Mart bows to it's wishes. I believe it's an Italian company.
Originally Posted By: jcwit
Originally Posted By: supton
So, buying glasses from China is ok but not from the local shop which employs local people?
Someone had to say it...
Are you implying the online opticians are based in china. Mine come from New York or San Fransisco, no one mentioned china till now. Usually receive in 5 to 8 business days.
Originally Posted By: eljefino
I got some from Zenni online.
So I go online. Zenni's boost to high index was super cheap, probably $15. My clear glasses came back great. It takes a couple weeks, as they make them in China, stick them on a container, slow boat them to US, and dump them in the mail.
I hadn't heard of Zenni before, if they are stateside then I apologize.
Originally Posted By: supton
So, buying glasses from China is ok but not from the local shop which employs local people?
Are you implying the online opticians are based in china. Mine come from New York or San Fransisco, no one mentioned china till now. Usually receive in 5 to 8 business days.
Originally Posted By: eljefino
I got some from Zenni online.
So I go online. Zenni's boost to high index was super cheap, probably $15. My clear glasses came back great. It takes a couple weeks, as they make them in China, stick them on a container, slow boat them to US, and dump them in the mail.
I hadn't heard of Zenni before, if they are stateside then I apologize.
What, Snap-On does not make eyeglasses yet??
I have purchased from Zenni and Coastal (ref: slickdeals.net) and had good experience. The amount of markup on eyeglasses is quite astronomical. The same frame/glasses can be purchased in India for less than 10th of the price. I suspect it is the same in other far east countries.
I have purchased from Zenni and Coastal (ref: slickdeals.net) and had good experience. The amount of markup on eyeglasses is quite astronomical. The same frame/glasses can be purchased in India for less than 10th of the price. I suspect it is the same in other far east countries.
Originally Posted By: supton
So, buying glasses from China is ok but not from the local shop which employs local people?
Someone had to say it...
Blah blah blah; if I get [censored] service for rip off prices from locals, I'll buy Chinese made glasses every day of the week. My purchase went Fedex, which employs local package handlers, a driver etc. Plus, I get my eye exams from a long standing local ophthalmologist which employes plenty of locals.
So, buying glasses from China is ok but not from the local shop which employs local people?
Blah blah blah; if I get [censored] service for rip off prices from locals, I'll buy Chinese made glasses every day of the week. My purchase went Fedex, which employs local package handlers, a driver etc. Plus, I get my eye exams from a long standing local ophthalmologist which employes plenty of locals.
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Originally Posted By: jcwit
Originally Posted By: supton
So, buying glasses from China is ok but not from the local shop which employs local people?
Someone had to say it...
Are you implying the online opticians are based in china. Mine come from New York or San Fransisco, no one mentioned china till now. Usually receive in 5 to 8 business days.
Zenni's lab is in China. I'm fairly certain many of the big box retailers and even some local opticians use Chinese or overseas labs.
Whining about China is almost laughable these days...
Originally Posted By: supton
So, buying glasses from China is ok but not from the local shop which employs local people?
Are you implying the online opticians are based in china. Mine come from New York or San Fransisco, no one mentioned china till now. Usually receive in 5 to 8 business days.
Zenni's lab is in China. I'm fairly certain many of the big box retailers and even some local opticians use Chinese or overseas labs.
Whining about China is almost laughable these days...
Truth!
I wear 30 day day/night disposables and can tolerate them for about 3 weeks of continuous wear before I have to remove them.
Take them out for one overnight, put them in the next day or two and I'm good for another few weeks.
Originally Posted By: dishdude
I wear contact lenses. They are low cost, unobtrusive and don't get in the way like glasses do. I do have an old pair of glasses I wear to watch TV in bed, and even then I can't stand having them on.
I wear 30 day day/night disposables and can tolerate them for about 3 weeks of continuous wear before I have to remove them.
Take them out for one overnight, put them in the next day or two and I'm good for another few weeks.
Originally Posted By: dishdude
I wear contact lenses. They are low cost, unobtrusive and don't get in the way like glasses do. I do have an old pair of glasses I wear to watch TV in bed, and even then I can't stand having them on.
Originally Posted By: Drew99GT
Originally Posted By: jcwit
Originally Posted By: supton
So, buying glasses from China is ok but not from the local shop which employs local people?
Someone had to say it...
Are you implying the online opticians are based in china. Mine come from New York or San Fransisco, no one mentioned china till now. Usually receive in 5 to 8 business days.
Zenni's lab is in China. I'm fairly certain many of the big box retailers and even some local opticians use Chinese or overseas labs.
Whining about China is almost laughable these days...
Ha! Maybe the glasses I get from the VA come from china also.
Originally Posted By: jcwit
Originally Posted By: supton
So, buying glasses from China is ok but not from the local shop which employs local people?
Are you implying the online opticians are based in china. Mine come from New York or San Fransisco, no one mentioned china till now. Usually receive in 5 to 8 business days.
Zenni's lab is in China. I'm fairly certain many of the big box retailers and even some local opticians use Chinese or overseas labs.
Whining about China is almost laughable these days...
Ha! Maybe the glasses I get from the VA come from china also.
I have always gone to one of those local independent optometrist places. I haven't used one of the chain type places like Lenscrafters, Sears, Costco, etc. One time for the eye exam I got my pupils dilated (kind of blurry for half the day) and since it was close by my home so I can just walk home.
I forget the exact cost coverage of my plan. There is copay for the exam and glasses, plan covers up to like $120-130 for the frames and the lenses are part of the copay. I tend to get glasses that are around $150 and under, don't need anything fancy. I usually only wear them when needing to see something clearly further away like driving, reading chalkboard, etc. I got a pair of glasses with the transition lens a while back, kind of neat but of course doesn't work inside the car. So would need to get clip on or prescription sunglasses.
I have been doing eye exercises regularly. Can't say it improves your vision the point of not needing glasses but helps to relax your eyes a bit.
I forget the exact cost coverage of my plan. There is copay for the exam and glasses, plan covers up to like $120-130 for the frames and the lenses are part of the copay. I tend to get glasses that are around $150 and under, don't need anything fancy. I usually only wear them when needing to see something clearly further away like driving, reading chalkboard, etc. I got a pair of glasses with the transition lens a while back, kind of neat but of course doesn't work inside the car. So would need to get clip on or prescription sunglasses.
I have been doing eye exercises regularly. Can't say it improves your vision the point of not needing glasses but helps to relax your eyes a bit.
Originally Posted By: supton
Originally Posted By: Shannow
If you grabbed a pair of crutches, or even worse, a wheelchair, every time that you had a twinge of pain following exercise, a workcout, or climbing a few flights of stairs, you would quickly become dependent on said crutches or wheelchair.
Why are people so happy to grab glasses ?
Medically required. I'm not allowed to drive w/o them. For me, everything blurs after about 18 inches. W/o my glasses there are few road signs that I can still read.
As I said, I'm tempted to do Lasik, at the same time, since my prescription is stable I'm a bit leery of some guy attacking my eyeballs with a laser...
This was my exact situation. Just had Lasik done in January and I'm kicking myself for not doing it sooner. The only downside now is that where I used to be able to see very clearly to about 4-6 inches away, now my eyes won't focus clearly any closer than 12 inches. They don't tell you this before hand.
I also ended up with the Monovision that another poster mentioned, although it was by accident due to the astigmatism in one eye. If I close my right eye, distance is a bit blurry but I'm able to see almost to the 6 inch point in front of my face. They didn't even charge me extra for it, either.
Originally Posted By: Shannow
If you grabbed a pair of crutches, or even worse, a wheelchair, every time that you had a twinge of pain following exercise, a workcout, or climbing a few flights of stairs, you would quickly become dependent on said crutches or wheelchair.
Why are people so happy to grab glasses ?
Medically required. I'm not allowed to drive w/o them. For me, everything blurs after about 18 inches. W/o my glasses there are few road signs that I can still read.
As I said, I'm tempted to do Lasik, at the same time, since my prescription is stable I'm a bit leery of some guy attacking my eyeballs with a laser...
This was my exact situation. Just had Lasik done in January and I'm kicking myself for not doing it sooner. The only downside now is that where I used to be able to see very clearly to about 4-6 inches away, now my eyes won't focus clearly any closer than 12 inches. They don't tell you this before hand.
I also ended up with the Monovision that another poster mentioned, although it was by accident due to the astigmatism in one eye. If I close my right eye, distance is a bit blurry but I'm able to see almost to the 6 inch point in front of my face. They didn't even charge me extra for it, either.
Regular eyeglasses with anti-glare, etc about $300. lenses made at a local lab in Chinese frames. They are Oakley frames and they are noticeable better made than anything else I've had including USA made Randolph Engineering frames.
Sunglasses that are polarized and meet safety glasses specifications about $400. USA frames (Oakley) and lenses made by the frame manufacturer's lab.
Clear safety glasses that look decent about $200. USA frames (WileyX), lenses made at a local lab.
Sunglasses that are polarized and meet safety glasses specifications about $400. USA frames (Oakley) and lenses made by the frame manufacturer's lab.
Clear safety glasses that look decent about $200. USA frames (WileyX), lenses made at a local lab.
Originally Posted By: tom slick
Regular eyeglasses with anti-glare, etc about $300. lenses made at a local lab in Chinese frames. They are Oakley frames and they are noticeable better made than anything else I've had including USA made Randolph Engineering frames.
Sunglasses that are polarized and meet safety glasses specifications about $400. USA frames (Oakley) and lenses made by the frame manufacturer's lab.
Clear safety glasses that look decent about $200. USA frames (WileyX), lenses made at a local lab.
I guess, but the ones on my face right now I've had for 4 years now, my cost was $29.95 with scratch resistance and bi-focal. Don't know how I do it? Maybe I'm just good.
Regular eyeglasses with anti-glare, etc about $300. lenses made at a local lab in Chinese frames. They are Oakley frames and they are noticeable better made than anything else I've had including USA made Randolph Engineering frames.
Sunglasses that are polarized and meet safety glasses specifications about $400. USA frames (Oakley) and lenses made by the frame manufacturer's lab.
Clear safety glasses that look decent about $200. USA frames (WileyX), lenses made at a local lab.
I guess, but the ones on my face right now I've had for 4 years now, my cost was $29.95 with scratch resistance and bi-focal. Don't know how I do it? Maybe I'm just good.
You might try Hidalgo. I've used them for years and have been pleased with the results. They carry a broad range of frames & sizes, sometimes at steep discount. Look them up on the 'net.
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