Does anyone here get their prescription eyeglasses online???

[dixiegrrrrl]

We are shocked to find the cost of eye exam plus new glasses are close to 500.00.
Totally ridiculous.
Anyone got a good online source to recommend?

[MannyGoldstein]

1. Yes. It's amazing.

Zennioptical.com and coastal.com.

Unbelievable how good the glasses are, for something like $25-$50 for frames and lenses. Delivery in a week or so.

I feel a little bad not going locally - if local was even $200 I'd do it, but prices have gone nuts.

[Warpy]

2. Glasses are now a monopoly

with frames and lenses controlled by an outfit called Luxottica headquartered in Italy. They set the prices for frames and lenses and there is little to no competition.

You can get a small break on processing online, but you run the risk that you won't mention the distance between your eyes accurately and the glasses will be uncomfortable. It's a small chance, though.

Just don't expect the whole thing to be cheap. Since we are dealing with a monopoly, it will be outrageous, depending on your prescription. Mine is very complicated, so I get shafted every time.

[dixiegrrrrl]

3. Thank you for reminding me about the monopoly..

I had read of that several years ago and forgotten it.
Mr. Dixie is needed a lens change, he wears tri-focals ( I do not understand how he can do that, but he prefers them to single lens glasses).
the exam price went up by 50% since 2 years ago
the total for exam and new glasses will be over 500.00.!!!

[TheCowsCameHome]

4. Can he re-use his old frames?

I just got new trifocal lenses and frames a local mom and pop optical shop for $305.

You can't beat tri's for versatility.

[dixiegrrrrl]

7. He can't see well enough without his glasses to trade them in.

So new frames are a must.

[TheCowsCameHome]

8. That complicates things.

OTOH, he should retain an old set as spares.

[dixiegrrrrl]

9. well, if he gets this right, we can afford for him to have a spare set.

He called the eye dr. to ask for one of the measurements that is needed to order the glasses..
and they refused to give it to him!!!!
Now he is really pissed.

If this online thing works for Mr. Dixie, I will get my glasses that way in a few months.

[quadrature]

10. PD, pupilary distance, can be measured by anybody.

lots easier to measure by 2 people,
as opposed to doing it on yourself.

how important accuracy of the PD is,
depends on amount of correction.

[dixiegrrrrl]

12. You are right. and that was the issue at hand.

Mr. Dixie got his calipers out and, in some manner of contortion, got what he says is a precise measurement.
He wears 'progressive" lenses, so they ARE more costly, but was able to order lens and frames for.....taaa daaaa.....100.00!
Instead of 500.00.
Our budget is very happy.

[quadrature]

17. PALs can get expensive

(btw, PD measurements are in millimeters,
so typical numbers are 50 to 80.)

IMO, the best use for the cheap online
places is,

backup pair of bifocals/trif.
single vision for driving
single vision in sunglasses

[dixiegrrrrl]

18. Great minds....

I tried bi-focals, for distance and reading, but esp when driving did not like that "hemmed in" feeling I got,
so went back to pair of reading glasses, pair of single vision Polarized sunglasses for driving,
and pair of regular single vision driving glasses,
which I hardly ever use anymore since I drive only in daylight now and use the sunglasses.
Polarized sunglasses are one of the best inventions in the world, IMHO.

[leftyladyfrommo]

11. My new trifocals were $492

I do like them. I can see really well and they fit right.

I am super careful with them. I always put them in their case when they are not on my face. I can't afford to get anothr pair.

[dixiegrrrrl]

13. Did you get them online?

[leftyladyfrommo]

16. No. From Discover Vision. n/t

[eilen]

5. Here's a blog that monitors the eyeglass sites for sales.

eyeglass blog

I always order from eyebuydirect. I get my son's glasses there. I measured between his pupils to determine what size width to order. We get the exam for about $50 with our discount card and I ask for a copy of the prescription which I fill in when we order. I am usually able to get 2 pair of glasses for about $75. It can take up to 2 weeks to get them in the mail (which is why I order 2). We are really happy with them. NAYY

[dixiegrrrrl]

6. Thank you....that is very helpful.

[SheilaT]

14. The last time I got glasses

sometime in the '90s, they were $400, and I couldn't see out of them because the doctor didn't specify one aspect of the prescription.

I had already been a contact lens wearer for many years at that point, so I just decided I could do quite well without back-up glasses, thank you very much. Contacts, including the eye exam, have been a fraction of the cost of new glasses.

Last year I had cataract surgery so now I see better than I ever have in my lifetime, and only need the inexpensive reading glasses.

[cbayer]

15. Highly recommend you take a look at warbyparker

Great company, low prices, competition for the monopoly.

http://www.warbyparker.com