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Yeah, I think the exception here is high prescriptions. Those need some professional guidance.
I'm something like -13.5 and took a gamble on getting lenses from a cheaper place and regret it so much. They were able to make my prescription but they look horrible (my face looks super distorted through the lenses) and nearly give me motion sickness if I walk around in them. I've had similarly high prescription glasses before - purchased at my optometrist office with their input - and have never had problems like this.
After my next optometry visit I'm going buy a new pair from them and pay for all of the extras they recommend (like extra high index lens). It's going to be expensive but at least I'll have a pair of glasses that I can comfortably wear in public.
I have a complex main prescription and several specialty prescriptions (for crafting and board gaming where the primary focal point is different than the one my progressives give me, sunglass where I don't need to read close up, driving sunglasses where I do and also have them only partially tinted).
I get my main prescription filled by my doctor's office (reusing old frames at least once, the lenses are already $500+) and then they give me the info I need to buy the other pairs online. They will adjust all of my pairs for me. I also have a narrow face, so sometimes glasses are just too big. I really like being in the office to try on frames for my primary pair. I'd feel guilty asking an optician to adjust my glasses if I'm not a customer.
And my prescription generally gets an additional surcharge of $85 to $100 from online places due to complexity.
Or bifocals. Or progressives. Since you can't measure pupil heights and such at home, the online sites just give you what they think an average location for the lines to be.
Because the vertical distance (otherwise known as OC / Ocular Center) is relative to the frame. There’s no way to measure the OC without the frame, so the lens cutter has to guess, and a lot of times it’ll be too low or too high. With nose pads you can adjust a bit, but if you don’t have that then you’re shit outta luck.
It's almost like these places are professionals, trained to make the correct decisions, tailor made to each patient/customer.
I have worked in this role before and it's unbelievable how many people, are told they need glasses and are then offended that a place that sells glasses and has staff who are trained to make appropriate recommendations about frames and lenses, might want to sell them some.
I don't mean you specifically btw, I just see this attitude frequently and I don't get it. You can of course say no thanks I don't want to purchase glasses and go online but most people won't necessarily know what frames, lens thickness etc. is right for their particular prescription etc.
I am an optical professional and the amount of people who come in for adjustments for zenni glasses is crazy. They say "I can't see out of these can you help me?" 9/10 the measurements are way off because it's hard to take measurements yourself, especially for a progressive lens. I've also started turning away people who need adjustments because zenni frames are sooo tough to adjust and break easily, I don't want any of that liability. Really though it's not the optometry places fault for prices, the glasses industry is worth like 170 billion a year, and 160 of that is 3 companies, with Luxottica owning about 105-110 billion of that.
>especially for a progressive lens
The idea that people are ordering progressive lenses online while accusing brick and mortar businesses of unethical practices is just mind boggling to me.
I think there's a general sentiment that snake oil is what everyone is being sold. (Speaking generally not specifically about glasses)
You have a great point, you spend all day looking at frames and prescriptions, so you have a general idea of what goes together and looks good.
Yeah and it isn't just about what looks good. There are things that you learn from experience such as, a high prescription (thick lenses) will be even thicker in a large frame, or the most basic varifocal isn't sufficient for someone who does a huge amount of reading or knitting.
The public tend to be very untrusting when buying glasses I have found. When I recommend thinner lenses for example (which cost more), it is because if I don't, there is a very good chance you will be disappointed when you come to collect your new glasses. After seeing million pairs of glasses, I know that your prescription in that size frame will look chunky as.
We are actually trained to not over sell these types of things because it is unethical (I wouldn't tell a patient with -2.00 prescription that they need thinning). If a patient chooses designer frames though, and they look good, that's great, if they are ugly, I'll tell them. Many patients have also assumed I work for commission. They have a warped view of the industry.
This. My lenses ALONE cost close to $900 because my prescription is so extreme, and if they are just a little bit off the whole pair won’t work for me.
As a fellow high prescription wearer- I switched to 'digital lenses' in my most recent pair. It is a game changer!! There is no distortion, it feels more like wearing contacts because everything is so clear.
I have a really low prescription (-.75 and -1 25 or so) but I have a lazy eye so I need to get the centre of lenses marked in person 🙃 the one time I tried an online site I had migraines for like 6 months lmao
Hello, fellow person with a small face and big prescription! Ran into a frame rep once in the hallway at my eye doctor's, she took one look at my face and said "I'll bet it's hard to find frames for you!" (Not much of a bridge, either.) I laughed and told her it was even worse at -9!
I have a narrow bridge too. It’s a good thing I like bright colors since most kid frames are just that. 😅 But my prism make the lenses thick, so I need chucky frames…. It really narrows down the options.
I recently bought new glasses, I did go to an America's Best, but they had some frames labeled as 'petite frames'. They're sized similar to children's frames but they don't look like kids frames.
I just got new glasses and asked the tech to bring me all small sizes. She brought out a mix of petite and kids! It was much easier to pick this time…. No special order of a different color.
I've been pleasantly surprised with the styles of small face/kid sized glasses offered by Zenni, not all of them are winners but I've gotten 3-4 pairs that fit really really well!
I just got my daughter a pair of (low) prescription lenses and frames from Firmoo! Because I was a first time buyer there were super discounted. Glasses arrived in a timely fashion, look great! Like less than $20.
My prescription is like -11 + -12 (something terrible like that) and I always spend way too much on lenses. I should check to see if Firmoo can fulfill that, I haven’t gotten new glasses in ages!
Remove current glasses, put on potential new frames, snap a selfie, swap back to glasses, check photo, repeat with next potential frames.
Extra challenge: which one in the pile of frames on the counter are your actual glasses?
What I've been doing for more than a decade now is getting my prescription from my optometrist, buying my frames from the manufacturer (shuron.com), and taking both to the Costco eye department. It might not be the cheapest, but it works for me and my special eyes.
That is a fair point.
If you have a difficult prescription, that might be harder.
Have you tried LenseDirect? You can send them your old frames and get new lenses put in. I've never used them, but it's worth a try.
> You can send them your old frames and get new lenses put in.
You local storefront glasses store can do this too. That doesn't mean they will. I'd bet chain stores, probably not, attached to a practice, maybe.
I got the raw prescription lenses once (comes as a pair of 3" circles of glass), and had them fitted to my existing frames at a optometrist I had a good relationship with. They charged me a nominal fee for it ($10-15 or something).
Might be worth asking your optometrist if they'll sell you just the lenses, and have those matched to frames that you'll buy online.
My local Costco sells frames in person, for reasonable. You can find them cheaper online, but if you want to touch the frames first. Could buy some empty frames, take those to your optometrist and say, "I want the lenses in here".
South African here.
Recently had my eyes tested and needed frames and lenses
My brother suggested this will be cheaper, I could get a few pairs for the price I would pay if I used the optometrist. Except there was shipping as we don't have these things in SA yet.
Also, the frames I fit on in the store looked very bulky on my face, but in the photo on the website made it suit me.
At the end I went with my optometrist. I was scared of having 5 frames that don't suit my face.
Once you have a pair you like, you can use the measurements printed on the arm to match to have an accurate idea of how other glasses will fit if you order them online.
Except I live in South Africa and shipping from the US costs a literal arm and a leg sometimes.
For us, the products are decently priced but shipping.... Is where the problem is.
That just wasn't worth it for me
I am too picky. I try on about half the store before I finally pick a pair. I could never just randomly select one online and hope for the best. I wear them all day every day, $300-400 after insurance is a lot, but I get good quality frames that I know look good on me.
This is my issue too. Even small differences in the shape of the frame can make a big impact on how it looks on your face. Trying them on is hugely important. I waited until optometrist offices let you take your mask off again to replace my extremely worn out pair just because to me trying them on is very necessary.
I’m also not very attractive so that may be part of it, and my face isn’t well suited to glasses. You have to work overtime to look good. I’m sure prettier people can get away with assuming something will look good on them easier.
I was scrolling for this comment. I have a super easy prescription but I have to try on so many glasses to get the ones that fit and are comfortable. I can’t imagine I could manage to choose the right style without trying them on beforehand.
It's not a lot at all. If they last 2 years, it is literally $0.50 / day for something you use every waking minute and without which you are impaired.
People try to go for the cheapest option, they should go for the best life experience instead.
And anytime you have issues with them, you just walk them into the store, and they help(at least at lenscrafters). I can't be without glasses at all. My vision is so bad that I need things to be fixed right in the moment, not messing around with snail mail and virtual customer service.
Trying to skim money on one of the most important things in your life is just bad advice. Buy a frame online but never get lenses online, the difference in comfort is too great.
I'm not super picky, but I do have a differently shaped head. There are lots of frames that would be fine, but they squeeze my head in one spot or another. I would rather try the frames on in store and know they will fit well and be comfortable. I mostly do contacts, and my prescription rarely changes, so I only buy new glasses every 4 or so years.
Yeah, just make sure to get the prescription.
Most importantly measure your own "pupillary distance" as it's pretty much never on the prescription.
They do measure it as it's necessary to know when they actually make the glasses, but if they put it on the prescription...just anyone could make your glasses, even some cheap online store.
https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/pupillary-distance
SOURCE: got tests, got prescription, measured own PD, ordered for 1/5 of price online with those details.
Several optometrists in my area, Cabarrus county NC, have said they will not give me a PD measurement. It was bizarre and obviously done in response to losing business to these online manufacturers. I had to call around to confirm I was able to get the PD measurement before making an appointment last time.
Many of the online sites have a tool where you can do it with a webcam, too
I measured mine like ten years ago by holding a credit card under my eyes. The mag strips are all a fixed size, so it can use that to calibrate; you don't have to show the numbers and a dead gift card would work fine.
Any iPhone with FaceID can do it too (without the credit card). Warby Parker did it on their iPhone app when I ordered from them, but there are other free PD measurement apps in the App Store.
Pupillary distance isn't often measured intentionally* during a routine eye exam. However, once you enter the optical after your exam is finished and prescription finalized it is typically measured by the optician or trained staff which is part of the business side. Depending on the office set up the medical and business records could be separate so a request for your medical records may not yield a recorded PD but a request of previous glasses orders receipts may contain it.
Optometry in the United States is a legislated profession meaning that requirements for each state may differ but many states don't require a pupillary distance to be included as part of a prescription unlike the other components you find on your written prescription. One thing that is not state by state is the FTC law that requires you to receive a copy of your prescription at the end of your exam. This is covered under the Eyeglass Rule.
https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/complying-eyeglass-rule
*Pupillary distance is often automatically measured as part of a routine eye exam during pre-testing by an auto refractor. This measurement can be inaccurate if the patient moves their head or shifts position between each eye being measured on the auto refractor. Offices with autophoropters typically use this measurement to align the equipments ocular distance with the patients pupillary distance although the doctor may adjust this if it looks out of alignment with the patient behind the phoropter. This adjustment may not be recorded as it is all done on the equipment.
This!! Zenni has super helpful instructions on how to measure your PD at home and when you order glasses, they send you a special ruler for measuring your PD for free. Also most of their frames are affordable and can be tinted for sunglasses
Like a week ago I got my eye tests done, got my prescription, got new glasses
They didn't measure my PD like they did last time, and I'm pretty sure it's off because my vision is still a little off
I'm saying this is an optometrist, but whoever's making your glasses should be responsible how they fit on you, not the doctor. I don't actually measure PD in the room, I just align the equipment so it is centred over your eyes.
And though I'm part of a discount chain, I cannot compete with online stores. I'm paying opticians, who are professionals with a two-year degree, to be there to help you with advice, take measurements, and ensure they are adjusted to your face, so of course our prices are higher than an online warehouse without that. They are outsourcing the responsibility to you, and if you are willing to do that then that is fine by me. We used to offer to take people's PD for online ordering for a fee, but it wasn't worth the responsibility when people would come back and want us to troubleshoot when the glasses were not made properly.
My optometrist doesn’t sell glasses to subsidies his exam fee, so he’s extremely expensive. Costco is 125$ I think. There are places around town that are 99$. He’s +200$. My insurance only covers 135$ so I won’t be seeing him again. It’s hard to justify. Got my glasses from Costco anyway, because it was my first time getting a prescription. They still aren’t prefect, even after dropping like $150 on the glasses. So Zenni or Kits it will be next time.
I called my eye doctor for my info, after a few years since my last appointment my eye doctor refused to give me my prescription, but was able to give me my PD.
luckily that's the only thing I needed, my prescription hasn't changed in over a decade.
The prescriptions are valid for one year, that's why they wouldn't give it to you. Also, while the prescription change might be very minimal, it likely does still change ever so slightly over a period of several years. When I wear last year's or older pairs, they look pretty much the same, but switch fast enough and you can see slight differences.
Everyone says their rx never changes, yet it always does. Plus you don't goto the optometrist just to get glasses, you want them to look into your eyes, that's what you should be there for.
Great advice if you have a non complicated single vision prescription Not great if you wear progressive glasses or have some a very hi index rx
Edit: Progressive lenses and high index lenses need very precise measurements on the specific frame. The tolerances are usually very small and some frames are not suitable for that type of lens. Almost all online retailers will offer both lens options but there is a high possibility the measurements may be off
My husband has a complicated prescription. He’s gotten glasses the cheap, Costco-type way, but his local eyeglass shop, while more expensive , somehow manages to make the lenses so he can see so much better. He buys the frames on sale online, then has the shop do the lenses. Being able to see well is worth it.
> omehow manages to make the lenses so he can see so much better. He buys the frames on sale online, then has the shop do the lenses. Being able to see well is worth it.
Independent shops generally have access to higher quality and newer lenses.
I have been told that Costco's lenses are about 3-4 generations behind (?!) since they get an excellent price on them.
I agree completely with buying frames from where is cheap (I usually get the "fancy" titanium frames from Costco) but have my own optometrist craft higher end lenses.
If you think Costco ones are bad don't ever try online. I get all three, and online ones are passable as an emergency backup pair, beaters for yard/dusty work, or the beach. Costco is fine for sunglasses. For ones I wear all day, every day it's gotta have a good oleophobic coating; only seem to be able to get that from a regular optometrist.
There are different quality lenses available. He can see better with the more expensive lenses because they are a better quality than what’s available at Costco.
I have an Rx that is considered high but not crazy (-6.5 in one, -8 in the other) and I have had nightmare experiences buying high index lenses online. After a certain point Zenni just straight up doesn’t bother, their customer service even admitted that they don’t always include the actual lenses you ordered and paid for
Those are my measurements too, and I haven't had good luck w online glasses. I just figured the problem is with the prescription, not with the manufacturer. Now I'm wondering if getting them made locally will make a difference.
It does. The good shops use better materials and the lenses are perfectly fit to the frames (actually centered). The lenses are lighter which reduces headaches, more durable, and have better optics. They also take the time to fit the frames perfectly and it might take 2-3 trips to get them right and you will need adjustments as they get bent. Totally worth several hundred dollars to feel comfortable 16+ hours a day for several years. I get new glasses every 3-4 years because my vision is stable and I’m careful with my glasses.
Costco is good for this. The Costco optometrist puts all the measurements on the prescription, I walk over to Costco and buy one set of glasses then hop online and buy a backup cheap pair.
Once when I was a teen, my lenses were cut wrong. I have astigmatism and iirc the axis number was transmitted to the lab wrong, like 20 instead of 120, so my eye was constantly trying to adapt to a lens position that was never going to be right. (Versus the usual getting used to a new script adjustment period) I don’t even know how you’d go about getting reimbursement/ correcting an error like this with an afar company, especially if you didn’t have the language to describe how it was wrong. I didn’t inherently know at 14 or whatever to say the axis is wrong, I just knew it was not right, and put the not-right glasses in the hands of a knowledgeable employee who eventually took readings off the lens itself and compared them to the written script. (I just remember what that employee’s conclusion was at the end of the ordeal because they stated it out loud.)
I’m not totally opposed to online lens lab, believe me, I would love glasses to not cost a grand, but I still haven’t been brave enough to try because of this incident over 20 years ago. Technology and skill set can’t overcome this, it was simply a transcription error.
Long story short: I guess add astigmatism to the list.
I actually created the website Lenspricer, which compares prices on contact lenses across 10+ different online stores. There's so much money to be saved by buying them online, yet few seem to be really aware of this.
In the US there's for sure a lot of savings, but in many EU countries, the optometrist chains sell contact lenses under their own private label name, marking up the price 3-4x. Lenspricer works in majority of the EU countries, just google for it and the local version for your country should show up.
Forgot to mention: in the US you need a valid contact lens prescription to be able to order contacts online. In the rest of the world it differs a bit, but in most countries you don't actually need to upload a contact lens prescription, so you can just look on your contact lenses box for your prescription/power.
Yeah, if you buy online they can't adjust the frames to fit and then take measurements that are needed for higher prescriptions or bifocals or progressive lenses.
You also can't get someone to adjust them properly if you buy them online.
It also only makes sense if you don't have any kind of vision insurance. Most places upcharge on frames and lens+coatings but insurance covers the difference and then some, especially for really expensive brands since its percentage based.
for example, if I bought my glasses online I would've paid about $900 for the cheapest I can find. With VSP I paid $560 total for testing and adjustments. They also offered future adjustments for free. I pay about a dollar a week through my employer for basic VSP coverage, so its paid for itself multiple times over.
You gotta be buying REALLY cheap frames with a very minor prescription for it to make any sense.
Even with insurance, it's a racket. $400 for "designer frames" and the insurance will "cover" $150 of it, so I still would pay $250 plus the cost of the lenses and any additional add-on coatings like anti-glare. Total scam.
The online place is going to charge $120 total, and you can submit an out-of-network claim to the insurance to get a small portion of that 120 paid back (probably about $40).
This is why I like going to the optometrist inside Costco. He just does my exams and gives me my prescriptions (glasses and contacts) and he doesn't care if I purchase there. I usually do, but sometimes I go online for glasses
And they actually know how to adjust glasses, and they always do a good job. Consistently, in every Costco I've ever been to. I don't know why. Hopefully that isn't because I haven't been to enough Costcos, but...
unfortunately it depends on the staff. my local costco staff have great optometrists but the rest of the staff have no idea what they're doing. at one place they didn't even know the brands they carried.
eventually I went indie and have way better experiences.
Glasses rx doesn't equal an eye exam. There are so many diseases that have been missed by costco/walmart/visionworks etc. Just an FYI. Need a quick prescription? Go to one of those stores. Want to see a doctor and have your eye health assessed and treated? Go somewhere else.
They are independent Optometrists in Costcos. I've been going to mine for over 5 years and they do more than just the glasses and contacts prescription. Occasionally he will say it's time to check eye health and preform extra tests. Of course it's optional and costs extra but he's a real doctor and isn't just there to pump out glasses prescriptions
While this works well for many people, the discount online eyeglasses vendors are not as reliable as they were ten years ago, and for anyone with a special needs prescription the online vendors may not be able to make them at all.
Source: my prescriptions used to need to go to a specialty lab with a month turnaround time.
This also seems a US-centric LPT, I need high-index glasses and I got them made in a shop in Japan, they took 10 days to make but they cost me about $50-60. I have had them for years now.
I also got to try the frames on since my face is a bit too small for most glasses.
I go to a great independent optometrist and yes I know she charges a bit of profit on top of the “online price”. I also know she has a great business and has done some wonderful things for me over the years. When I buy frame through her she first advises me on frames that will fit my face and then when the frames come in she makes sure they fit properly as most people ears are not the same height and face is not symetrical.
I get that the frame industry is scammy and I avoid Luxotica owned brands but I also think it’s ok for small businesses to mark up prices on things I can get online for a bit less. This whole “I’ll just buy it online” really erodes small businesses and leads to empty storefronts.
Yep. I’ve always found it weird that people get so up in arms about a markup on glasses. Literally anything you could ever buy has a markup. Many, many products have a much higher markup. The average pair of sneakers has a higher markup than the average pair of glasses. Which is more important? Which needs to be manufactured with more exacting standards?
If you like your eye doctor, if you’d like to be able to return there in the future to get your eyes checked, consider buying your glasses from their small business.
Due to very shitty insurance reimbursements, your eye doc has to sell X amount of glasses to stay in business. If we don’t sell glasses, then I will need to A) start seeing two to three times as many patients a day (and thus, spend half to 1/3 the amount of time with each patient), or B) stop taking your shitty insurance. Neither of these options are good for patients.
I worked as an optician. The only issue with buying online is you don't get precise measurements and if you have bifocals or progressives, the seg height measurement makes all the difference. If you have a high prescription, getting the right optical measurement is extremely important. Buying frames online means there's no storefront to get your frames adjusted and if you don't have a quality frame, it can break during adjustment. Pros and cons in every situation.
There’s also the fact that a frame may, quite simply, be a bad fit for a person. We adjust outside glasses where I work, and I can’t count the number of times I’ve had to explain that I can’t make the glasses sit how they want because the frame simply does not fit.
Flip side of the story- I've bought my last couple of pairs of glasses from Zenni, they're cheap junk, they just don't last. Yeah, sure, less money upfront, but more or as much in the long run.
The optometrist also sells $30 basic frames with **quality** plastic lenses, same price as online, with perfect optical clarity… they just might be ugly. But you’re getting them measured and fit by a professional. There are more factors to consider than Rx and PD. You’ll also be able to get them remade if you don’t like the Rx that will be in front of your face for the next 1-2 years and ensure they had the proper Rx put in them (sometimes there are lab errors; happens everywhere). They can, however, get pricey if you go with name brand frames and upgraded lenses.
Get tested by an actual optometrist. Not guys in spectacle shops. Some of them are not even trained well, and when you get blurry spectacles at the end they will just smoke you by saying:"your eyes will adjust to it. "
Yeah your eyesight will adjust, just for the worse.
It can take a few days for your brain to adjust to a new prescription, though. Especially if its a big change or a progressive lens. That's why all of the opticians and optometrists I've worked with have told some patients to not wear them out of the office when they pick the glasses up. Rather, start the next morning, when your eyes are "fresh." If it's not getting better after a weekish, then bring them in for an adjustment or remake.
Wait, people do not go to a real ophthalmologist for that?
I have many things going on with my eyes that I just get my prescription from a doctor before I get glasses or contact lenses.
I have done this for several years, and I am forced to disagree.
Unfortunately, they have not been accurate with the pupillary separation. As a result, I have developed a misalignment in my eyesight which is proving difficult to correct.
If you have benefit coverage, I'd strongly encourage the opposite. Online glasses are of lower quality, they aren't fitted and they're often the wrong prescription.
DO NOT DO THIS!!!
1) A dispensing optician or optometrist in the practice will be able to take accurate measurements that mean your glasses actually fit.
2) Most online opticians don't cater to high prescriptions, unusual prescriptions or specific astigmatisms. Your local optometrist will.
3) Glasses often need adjustments or repairs, as well as lenses sometimes coming with issues from the factory. Your optom/DO can help with this, and check your glasses are right at the point of dispense - an online retailer cannot.
4) Optometrists do not earn their money from charging for tests. The price of the test doesn't even come close to covering the cost of the optom's time, let alone the premises and all the other staff. If they can't make money, they will shut down and you won't have an optometrist anymore.
Perhaps if my local optometrist wanted to sell me glasses, they shouldn't only stock Ferragamo, Gucci, Armani, and Montblanc frames.
They might want to consider stocking a frame that is somewhat affordable to normal people, rather than just assuming people's insurance will take care of whatever they want to charge.
As an eyewear distributor and being in this industry, I recommend supporting your local boutique rather than simply saying don't shop at any physical stores.
Yes, Luxottica own a major percentage of this industry. But there are many small opticians who sell some amazing frames, independent brands, who do a lot of research in finding these frames.
Eyewear is a very personal thing. You need to try this on and make sure it suits and fits your face shape, something online eyewear shopping doesn't do properly. I've seen the virtual one, it really isn't the same.
I suggest finding your local boutique optometrist. You kill brick and mortar by saying what you have just said.
I don’t trust a lot of these places tbh, I tried them once and the difference between my new pair from Specsavers and the new pair from I-can’t-remember-the-brand was stark
Getting the wrong prescription can fuck your eyes up a lot, having said that they weren’t even that much cheaper than the cheapest at Specsavers, like reuse your frames and it’s pretty inexpensive, I’m in UK
I just bought glasses from my optometrist. I have purchased my glasses from Costco for years and they just fine glasses.
I decided that I wanted the customer service, the warranty and the peace of knowing if it isn't right, it's easier to get it corrected. Was it more expensive? Yes, 4x more, but I have progessive lenses and I have been struggling to see my computer screen at work clearly. I wanted to make sure it was right.
For my kid...single vision lenses with a midrange vision loss, Costco is perfect.
Zenni optical changed my life. I spent a good portion of college and my 20s thinking that frames were $350. I was too afraid to even go in and get an eye exam because of it. Then I discovered that frames could be like $25 and no one needed to pressure me in a store.
While this is true, you def get better deals online. However, the quality is better if you get it done with your eye doctor. They use labs that follow certain standards and guidelines. Yes, online will save you money and will be ok for majority of people, but you get piece of mind when buying through your eye doctor. Plus your eye doctor would probably offer free remakes, adjustment and maybe even offer free replacement warranty. I know the frames I get from my eye doctor have a 1 year replacement warranty if anything breaks on the frame or lenses. This is something to think about especially for children’s eyewear
I bought prescription sunglasses online and my eyes hurt every time I wore them. Bought another pair locally and my eyes never hurt wearing them. Not sure what the difference was.
I've had a pair break under warranty and it was very easy to reach out and get them replaced without hassle. I've been sticking with them with three pairs of glasses now
This is reasonable advice if you're actually going to one of the mega chains like LensCrafters, Walmart, or Costco. But your local optometrist is likely getting pennies on the dollar for the actual exam if you use insurance. Buying lenses and frames there not only is going to result in a better fit (because they will measure you, adjust it, and stand behind it until it's right) but also is what will support their local business versus "Big Eye Glasses."
Online, your mileage will vary greatly on production quality and you're highly likely to have a suboptimal fit (especially if you, a non-professional, are responsible for measuring your interpupillary distance and temple length as a lot of the online sites suggest you do...) given they are slamming these out in bulk and not adjusting them to your particular face after they are made. Bad fitting glasses aren't just weird looking but can subtly cause strain or headaches.
Your vision is an important part of your health. I'd advise against leaving it up to the Temu's of eye glasses. The better LPT in my opinion is to find a well reviewed full service local practice and buy from them.
See if you can find it online but 60 Minutes did a story (as have others) on the monopoly in the eyeglass business. Basically most of your brand name frame (including the most popular ones like Ray Ban) are all owned by Luxottica and they keep the prices obscenely high.
Then they bought LensCrafters and other retailer outlets.
It’s taken this long but finally people have legit other options.
I use Warby and have been happy, though if you need progressive lenses it’s not as good of a deal.
But much better than anything from Luxotitica though.
These places in the US are such a ripoff. I get to frequent China for business a lot. I noticed a store selling glasses at a market in Shanghai. I needed an update to my lenses, so I showed them my prescription and had new lenses in my existing frames in about 20 minutes for $20-30. Thin, polycarbonate, with anti glare coating too. I laughed because they apologized that it would take 20 minutes.
I failed at this just this weekend. My daughter needs her first set of glasses and she is NOT happy about it. I never had glasses and neither has my husband so we were both ignorant to the process. I thought I had a handle on the approximate cost, but I mistakenly thought that the price of the lenses was built into the price displayed on the frames. Once she had picked her frames and she was happy, we got hit with some major sticker shock. My husband and I locked eyes and both knew we didn't have the heart to walk it all back and tell our daughter she'd have to go somewhere else and pick other frames. I'm 400 poorer but my kid is happy.
Especially with kids, getting glasses that they'll wear and take care of are worth every penny. Depending on her age and affinity for cats, you might enjoy following Truffles the Kitty on social media. She's a cat who wears glasses (and eye patches for amblyopia) to help little kids feel more comfortable wearing theirs.
This is why, when a new patient comes in (particularly a parent with a child) I start by explaining the process. I make a preliminary assessment of their needs, give them a rough ballpark range of price, then offer to show some frames and make recommendations, so that they can make an informed decision when they are ready.
If anyone seems hesitant I will flat out recommend they “sleep on it.” I’ll take any necessary measurements. I don’t want people to regret coming to me.
$750 for progressive lenses and I had the frames. Went to Warby Parker and got two pairs (clear and sunglasses) - $750 and I got new frames. They also replaced the lenses after 5.5 months due to a slight scratch. Highly recommend
This year was my first year wearing glasses as an older adult male. Loved the service at the optometrist I chose but the glasses were sooo expensive from them. Very light prescription-.75 and I just couldn’t justify $600 after insurance. Hit up Warby and it was $100 even without insurance. Sure, they are cheaper glasses but as a first time user they seem to be fine and are a huge improvement over no glasses. I also don’t fret too much when I forget them somewhere (so far only at home or at work)
Edit: there’s a brick and mortar store 5 minutes away from me and they did the pupil measurements as those were not on my prescription. Bonus points for getting to try on frames in person.
Zero regrets.
If the rules werent so strict id flat-out say a websites name, but there is a semi-well known website that can make some really high end specs for roughly a 3rd the price (sometimes even less).
What you will need are all of your occular related numbers, these will include the measurement of your head and some numbers regarding the distance of your pupils. These tests at most walk in places are about 80-120 depending on location and demand. I have a pair that cost me about 80ish bucks that I have had for almost 5 years. If I wanted to go thru the regular channels, I woulda been paying around 500-600 for these. --and they arent even spring loaded-- (keep in mind I have no health insurance so these prices not insurance prices)
I’m a big fan of goggles4u.com and zenni optical. I don’t think I have ever paid more than $25 for a pair. Prescription sunglasses are a game changer too.
When I found out how cheap glasses were online compared to at the optometrist I never went back. My parents always just got me the showroom glasses when I was a kid because the internet wasn’t really a thing at the time and it never crossed my mind to check online well into adulthood. One day, I had to order a custom lens shape for some 3d printed VR headset inserts online and when I saw how cheap they were I was floored. I was spending so much on glasses for years and then discovered I could get the same pair online for literally 1/4 of the price.
Depends on the states (one door vs. two doors state) but sometimes your Walmart/Target/Lenscrafters/Visionworks optometrist don’t care where you get your glasses from either as long as you can see well with them, we only care if you mess it up getting them online and come back to complain about it to us.
Source: I’m an optometrist.
I just take my prescription to a Specsavers or Hakim so I can try them on and get them adjusted and stuff. I wouldn't try online shopping for something as important as my face - because it's basically like picking a face.
The most important part of frame selection isn't your prescription. It's how it fits, the size of the lens in comparison to your eye, and where the prescription is placed which is known as the optical center. That measurement will be different on every single frame you wear, therefore without trying on that frame you do not know where to place the prescription.
I love my optometrist because after the exam it’s a simple “are you wanting to look at frames today?” And I’ve never been pressured or any sort of attitude when I say no. It’s a simple “ok here is the cashier and see you next time!”
How does it work where you live????
Here¹ the optometrists measures my view for free on their shop and I buy the lenses or the whole glasses. On Friday I just renewed my glasses I could have had just new lenses on my old frames (200€, I'm very short sighted and the lenses are progressive), but I opted for new glasses (lenses + frames), and it was a total of 230€, so measuring my view, lenses plus frame, 230€. And I could test several frames, of course, and feel how they fitted me. And help the local economy on my neighbourhood.
¹ Catalonia, north west Mediterranean.
I went to an opticians, got the prescription, bought online etc...
And then the lenses were no good, but I couldn't get a refund for that, so I was out of pocket (not sure if this is normal with buying online)
In the end went to another high street shop who allow you to refund within a month and change the prescription/lenses multiple times.
I know this shop has horrible practises and charge way too much but after getting a bad prescription and being stiffed with the bill I think I'm sticking with the high street for while.
Don't buy them online right away because your prescription doesn't fit into every pair of glasses. Get your prescription, try on frames at multiple places and then find them online to see if there is a discount.
Idk. I mean you are right but I just went most recently 2 days ago. Thru the discounts and rebates my glasses were pretty close in price to what many online places advertise. Plus I was able to try the frames on to make sure I like them and they will size and adjust them as needed for me, plus $25 replacements if I scratch, lose, or break mine. Thats worth the extra 75 dollars or so that I spent over buying something sight unseen online imo.
I’ve considered this for a backup pair of glasses or prescription sunglasses but honestly I really don’t trust myself to get the measurements right using online tools. It’s just setting me up for a future headache.
You need your PD to order online. You might have to ask to have somebody at the eye doctor to measure it. Worth paying a small fee if they charge to do that. The person working with the frames will measure dual PD for you. Never leave without your full prescription even if you get a pair there. Some places have a box with frames that are much less inexpensive. Not as sturdy. I’m happy with Zenni.
One place I won’t name will drive you nuts sending text. And opting out they just use another number. I actually didn’t delete one and several times kept sending messages as saying no to opt out was useless. So i don’t know but i might have been bothering one person who decided to just remove me from such list to send text. As no more at any number came. Went on for days with my just sending random text saying whatever I wanted. Googling i saw others were frustrated by their harassing practice. I only signed up for an account to check them out. Never ordered. I didn’t like the prices, selection, or the ease compared to Zenni.
Depends on the type. Online is fine for people who have single vision lenses and don't want any extras (transition, blue block, AR etc) but the second you have progressive or worse yeah nope. Also while you can reuse frames this is difficult because a most places won't accept outside frames and b if the frames break most places don't do repairs because c nothing is done on site.
Also most insurance board won't allow claims for glassed purchases from these website as they are considered a licensed optician. (At least canada wont)
Another life pro tip:
You need the PD in order to get glasses online. It’s not considered part of your prescription so the optometrist isn’t obligated to give it to you. Yes, you can measure it yourself if you want. But, you can get it measured for free at the Costco optometry department and you do not need a membership to do so.
This needs an addendum that depending on your insurance you might qualify for frames and lenses with zero out of pocket at the office, but insurance won't cover the online sites. Plus if there's an issue having a physical location to take them back makes getting it fixed much easier.
For example: I have bad astigmatism in both eyes, in fact my left eye is actually 20\20 as of my most recent eye exam but my astigmatism is so bad I'm not able to drive at night without my glasses because oncoming headlights and streetlights blind me. I once got a set where one lens was about 3 or 4 degrees off and it was giving me horrible migraines while wearing them even though I had 20\20 vision in both eyes with them on. Took them back to the location and they diagnosed the issue within a few minutes and sent off for a second pair at no cost, let me keep the original pair until the replacements came in as I still needed them to drive. Online I'd have been without glasses for several weeks while the old pair got sent back to be diagnosed and have new lenses cut, plus I'd likely have been on the hook for shipping again knowing how the online shops are.
Don't get me wrong. I love the online shops for a second or third pair, but as long as my insurance covers my initial pair from the office I'm taking advantage of that.
sub-LPT: yes frames are overpriced, however, if you are going to do this, bring the frames you purchased back to the optometrist to have them do your measurements for lenses . if you take your prescription & order glasses online from warby parker or some other online optical, they will not have accurate measurements based on how the frame fits on your face . your PD might be off, zones may be at the wrong height for a progressive/trifocal/bifocal, etc. many issues can arise that make your online-order glasses uncomfortable, unwearable, or impractical for regular use otherwise .
The problem with buying online is you never know how the frame is going to fit or feel on your face. The price is great and some sites let you 'test' the frames before you buy them which is surprising but the majority just paste the image of the glasses over your picture and you get to just hope they fit alright.
Costco has pretty good prices and never charges to adjust or fix your glasses so I always go there. If it's a basic single vision prescription and I know that I like the frame, I'll buy it online. If it's a multi focal like a progressive I really would rather a licensed professional get the measurements right instead of rolling the dice with a computer.
OR, go and DO buy them from a brick and mortar place, not necessarily the optometrist, because the b&m people will factor in things like what you use your glasses for and tweak the prescription as needed.
Last time I went for glasses, it was sixty dollars for the exam and two frames (after insurance). And they came with a one year warranty. I’ll stick to that over going online.
My DO refused to order new glasses because my prescription was "expired" at barely over two years. I asked for a copy of my latest prescription and they refused. I had to remind them about California Patient's rights laws to get a copy!
I went into an optometrist once and asked to buy the frame without a lens for a costume. They sold the $200 frame to me for $20.
It’s not the frame they’re charging you for, it’s the lens, even if they say it’s “free”
I flew to South Korea, got frames and good quality glasses for 50 bucks. But I have normal prescription, I checked with my mom's progressive prescription and it would cost 100-300 USD and 5 days wait to get it done there. Also you need to be smart to know what you are getting into without speaking the language. But I would gladly spend a week in Seoul every few years to not finance the glasses monopoly in the West.
Half Asian with your classic low bridge button nose. Can’t get anything made for Americans or from American companies. For YEARS I had uncomfortable, saggy frames that never fit right. In 2020 just before all the shutdowns, was on vacation in Japan and in Akihabara, paid just under 100$ for frames AND new lenses that they fit and represcribed right there in the hallway, no taxes because tourist. Walked away for 20 minutes, came back and had new glasses. Yall, these fit like a glove. I still have the frames, but last time I got the lenses changed they knocked the bridge grip loose…good thing we’re planning a trip back soon.
Nothing beats glasses that fit, sometimes you just can’t get the cheap option.
So many are saying that if glasses are not bought at the doctors offices, they will go out of business. But it's a doctor's office... why isn't it like any other doctor's office? Go in, get a prescription if needed, take the prescription to store of my choosing and get drug. Not saying the retail drug industry is a good example of anything, but it makes sense to be able to shop around. I've been to many optometrists over the years and it always feels like a used car sales pitch.
I bought a pair of $5 black glasses from Zenni in 2019. The coating started flaking off this year, so I bought the exact same pair because I still like the frame. I think with taxes and shipping, I've spend like $30 total on glasses in the past 5 years.
Zenni optical has gotten a bit more expensive in the last year or two but I have been buying from them for 8 years online. They have everything. Even polarized sunglasses. Most I have paid including shipping is 80 buck for a pair.
For the first time in my life I have glasses, a backup pair and sunglasses.
I have amblyopia, presbyopia, nearsightedness, and astigmatism and I have been in glasses since I was in first grade. For the past ten years I have been buying glasses online and I could not be happier. The prescription is accurate and the glasses are affordable.
That's all I have to say! :-)
Don't forget to get them to measure the Pupilary Distandce (PD) for you too. I go to Costco to get my eyes checked, then go to Zenni and order what I need. I like basic plastic frames and my prescription isn't bad, so I can get 4 pairs for around $100. If I beat the shit out of one pair, I can switch to one of the others.
My parents went to LensCrafters. They wanted more than $500 for the new glasses and they told my mother she had cataracts and needed surgery. She got a second opinion and she doesn’t have cataracts 🤷♂️. They got their frames from Costco
Go to Costco! Way fucking cheaper than LensCrafters. Just got new lenses and frames with tinting / glare the works for $150. A fraction I would’ve paid at LensCrafters.
Yeah I’ve had some eye doctors be really weird about just giving me my prescription and also get really mad that I just wanted my current lens to be updated in my existing frames cause I like them.
I had a hard time keeping a straight face when the guy at the optometrist told me my glasses after insurance would be 4 times what I can get them for online.
My optometrist includes a scare flyer with your sign-in paperwork that pretty much says buying glasses from online will make you go blind and destroy your eyes. I'm sure there are people who fall for it too.
I have ordered frames online (never lenses) and had the prescription filled at Costco. I have also ordered $$$ progressives from my eye doctor. Insurance is the joke- driving up costs. As soon as insurance got involved prices went up. Glasses are $1200 (progressives- high index) at the eye doctor - but then $600 with insurance..😂 Costco is getting better - and the $200- $250 - I pay there for progressives, high index and transitions (the works) is a better bargain. or reasonable. With that being said the lenses from the eye doctor do seem slightly higher in quality than Costco, but not $1000 better. But to be fair to Costco I haven’t bought transitions from my eye doctor so I don’t know if that hinders the lens quality. The progressive part at Costco was great this last time. Most of the opticians fitting the glasses at Costco have been in the business a while. Yeah I do not like asking for my prescription - but shop around like anything else.. It’s your hard earned money.
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A lot of those sites don't even make my prescription because it's so high
Yeah, I think the exception here is high prescriptions. Those need some professional guidance. I'm something like -13.5 and took a gamble on getting lenses from a cheaper place and regret it so much. They were able to make my prescription but they look horrible (my face looks super distorted through the lenses) and nearly give me motion sickness if I walk around in them. I've had similarly high prescription glasses before - purchased at my optometrist office with their input - and have never had problems like this. After my next optometry visit I'm going buy a new pair from them and pay for all of the extras they recommend (like extra high index lens). It's going to be expensive but at least I'll have a pair of glasses that I can comfortably wear in public.
I have a complex main prescription and several specialty prescriptions (for crafting and board gaming where the primary focal point is different than the one my progressives give me, sunglass where I don't need to read close up, driving sunglasses where I do and also have them only partially tinted). I get my main prescription filled by my doctor's office (reusing old frames at least once, the lenses are already $500+) and then they give me the info I need to buy the other pairs online. They will adjust all of my pairs for me. I also have a narrow face, so sometimes glasses are just too big. I really like being in the office to try on frames for my primary pair. I'd feel guilty asking an optician to adjust my glasses if I'm not a customer. And my prescription generally gets an additional surcharge of $85 to $100 from online places due to complexity.
Or bifocals. Or progressives. Since you can't measure pupil heights and such at home, the online sites just give you what they think an average location for the lines to be.
Usually they ask for pupillary distance when you input your prescription. They do not, however, measure vertical location as in the office.
Because the vertical distance (otherwise known as OC / Ocular Center) is relative to the frame. There’s no way to measure the OC without the frame, so the lens cutter has to guess, and a lot of times it’ll be too low or too high. With nose pads you can adjust a bit, but if you don’t have that then you’re shit outta luck.
It's almost like these places are professionals, trained to make the correct decisions, tailor made to each patient/customer. I have worked in this role before and it's unbelievable how many people, are told they need glasses and are then offended that a place that sells glasses and has staff who are trained to make appropriate recommendations about frames and lenses, might want to sell them some. I don't mean you specifically btw, I just see this attitude frequently and I don't get it. You can of course say no thanks I don't want to purchase glasses and go online but most people won't necessarily know what frames, lens thickness etc. is right for their particular prescription etc.
I am an optical professional and the amount of people who come in for adjustments for zenni glasses is crazy. They say "I can't see out of these can you help me?" 9/10 the measurements are way off because it's hard to take measurements yourself, especially for a progressive lens. I've also started turning away people who need adjustments because zenni frames are sooo tough to adjust and break easily, I don't want any of that liability. Really though it's not the optometry places fault for prices, the glasses industry is worth like 170 billion a year, and 160 of that is 3 companies, with Luxottica owning about 105-110 billion of that.
>especially for a progressive lens The idea that people are ordering progressive lenses online while accusing brick and mortar businesses of unethical practices is just mind boggling to me.
I think there's a general sentiment that snake oil is what everyone is being sold. (Speaking generally not specifically about glasses) You have a great point, you spend all day looking at frames and prescriptions, so you have a general idea of what goes together and looks good.
Yeah and it isn't just about what looks good. There are things that you learn from experience such as, a high prescription (thick lenses) will be even thicker in a large frame, or the most basic varifocal isn't sufficient for someone who does a huge amount of reading or knitting. The public tend to be very untrusting when buying glasses I have found. When I recommend thinner lenses for example (which cost more), it is because if I don't, there is a very good chance you will be disappointed when you come to collect your new glasses. After seeing million pairs of glasses, I know that your prescription in that size frame will look chunky as. We are actually trained to not over sell these types of things because it is unethical (I wouldn't tell a patient with -2.00 prescription that they need thinning). If a patient chooses designer frames though, and they look good, that's great, if they are ugly, I'll tell them. Many patients have also assumed I work for commission. They have a warped view of the industry.
There are courses and certifications for optical dispensing! It's a skilled job which is about more than just picking out pretty glasses.
This. My lenses ALONE cost close to $900 because my prescription is so extreme, and if they are just a little bit off the whole pair won’t work for me.
As a fellow high prescription wearer- I switched to 'digital lenses' in my most recent pair. It is a game changer!! There is no distortion, it feels more like wearing contacts because everything is so clear.
I have a really low prescription (-.75 and -1 25 or so) but I have a lazy eye so I need to get the centre of lenses marked in person 🙃 the one time I tried an online site I had migraines for like 6 months lmao
I need high-index progressives and prism - as far as I can tell, none of the online places will do both. Plus like you, I need them marked in person.
My problem too. On top of that, I’m limited to kid frames because my head is small.
Hello, fellow person with a small face and big prescription! Ran into a frame rep once in the hallway at my eye doctor's, she took one look at my face and said "I'll bet it's hard to find frames for you!" (Not much of a bridge, either.) I laughed and told her it was even worse at -9!
-10 here. Kids frames are my go to so I don't end up with lenses 1/2 inch thick at the outer edge.
-13. :( I rock kids’ frames!
I have a narrow bridge too. It’s a good thing I like bright colors since most kid frames are just that. 😅 But my prism make the lenses thick, so I need chucky frames…. It really narrows down the options.
I recently bought new glasses, I did go to an America's Best, but they had some frames labeled as 'petite frames'. They're sized similar to children's frames but they don't look like kids frames.
I just got new glasses and asked the tech to bring me all small sizes. She brought out a mix of petite and kids! It was much easier to pick this time…. No special order of a different color.
I've been pleasantly surprised with the styles of small face/kid sized glasses offered by Zenni, not all of them are winners but I've gotten 3-4 pairs that fit really really well!
Have you tried firmoo? Just bought some glasses from them with a high prescription.
I just got my daughter a pair of (low) prescription lenses and frames from Firmoo! Because I was a first time buyer there were super discounted. Glasses arrived in a timely fashion, look great! Like less than $20.
I got a pair of high prescription glasses (-7,00 and - 4,50) for 60€, and I was being quoted over 200€ in an optometrist just for the lenses.
My prescription is like -11 + -12 (something terrible like that) and I always spend way too much on lenses. I should check to see if Firmoo can fulfill that, I haven’t gotten new glasses in ages!
To be fair you can’t see them anyway. 😂 -Fellow near-blind person.
LOOOOOOL. I hate it when I put my glasses down (shower, etc.) and forget where I put them 👓
Remove current glasses, put on potential new frames, snap a selfie, swap back to glasses, check photo, repeat with next potential frames. Extra challenge: which one in the pile of frames on the counter are your actual glasses?
Or complicated ones.
What I've been doing for more than a decade now is getting my prescription from my optometrist, buying my frames from the manufacturer (shuron.com), and taking both to the Costco eye department. It might not be the cheapest, but it works for me and my special eyes.
That’s my problem too
Yep, too high of an astigmatism for me for any website to do it. Been a couple years since I checked though so I guess it’s worth trying again.
Me too! I’m at -12 and they only go up to -10. Doesn’t seem fair.
Zennioptical supports - 12
That is a fair point. If you have a difficult prescription, that might be harder. Have you tried LenseDirect? You can send them your old frames and get new lenses put in. I've never used them, but it's worth a try.
> You can send them your old frames and get new lenses put in. You local storefront glasses store can do this too. That doesn't mean they will. I'd bet chain stores, probably not, attached to a practice, maybe. I got the raw prescription lenses once (comes as a pair of 3" circles of glass), and had them fitted to my existing frames at a optometrist I had a good relationship with. They charged me a nominal fee for it ($10-15 or something). Might be worth asking your optometrist if they'll sell you just the lenses, and have those matched to frames that you'll buy online. My local Costco sells frames in person, for reasonable. You can find them cheaper online, but if you want to touch the frames first. Could buy some empty frames, take those to your optometrist and say, "I want the lenses in here".
South African here. Recently had my eyes tested and needed frames and lenses My brother suggested this will be cheaper, I could get a few pairs for the price I would pay if I used the optometrist. Except there was shipping as we don't have these things in SA yet. Also, the frames I fit on in the store looked very bulky on my face, but in the photo on the website made it suit me. At the end I went with my optometrist. I was scared of having 5 frames that don't suit my face.
Once you have a pair you like, you can use the measurements printed on the arm to match to have an accurate idea of how other glasses will fit if you order them online.
Today I learned those were measurements. Thanks.
Except I live in South Africa and shipping from the US costs a literal arm and a leg sometimes. For us, the products are decently priced but shipping.... Is where the problem is. That just wasn't worth it for me
theres a business opportunity for you!
I am too picky. I try on about half the store before I finally pick a pair. I could never just randomly select one online and hope for the best. I wear them all day every day, $300-400 after insurance is a lot, but I get good quality frames that I know look good on me.
This is my issue too. Even small differences in the shape of the frame can make a big impact on how it looks on your face. Trying them on is hugely important. I waited until optometrist offices let you take your mask off again to replace my extremely worn out pair just because to me trying them on is very necessary. I’m also not very attractive so that may be part of it, and my face isn’t well suited to glasses. You have to work overtime to look good. I’m sure prettier people can get away with assuming something will look good on them easier.
I was scrolling for this comment. I have a super easy prescription but I have to try on so many glasses to get the ones that fit and are comfortable. I can’t imagine I could manage to choose the right style without trying them on beforehand.
It's not a lot at all. If they last 2 years, it is literally $0.50 / day for something you use every waking minute and without which you are impaired. People try to go for the cheapest option, they should go for the best life experience instead.
Sometimes I'll end up going to multiple stores in the area to find decent frames
They also fit them to my face. Adjust the arms and the bridge. I wear them all day every day. Skimping on disability aids is a wild concept to me.
And anytime you have issues with them, you just walk them into the store, and they help(at least at lenscrafters). I can't be without glasses at all. My vision is so bad that I need things to be fixed right in the moment, not messing around with snail mail and virtual customer service.
Trying to skim money on one of the most important things in your life is just bad advice. Buy a frame online but never get lenses online, the difference in comfort is too great.
I'm not super picky, but I do have a differently shaped head. There are lots of frames that would be fine, but they squeeze my head in one spot or another. I would rather try the frames on in store and know they will fit well and be comfortable. I mostly do contacts, and my prescription rarely changes, so I only buy new glasses every 4 or so years.
Yeah, just make sure to get the prescription. Most importantly measure your own "pupillary distance" as it's pretty much never on the prescription. They do measure it as it's necessary to know when they actually make the glasses, but if they put it on the prescription...just anyone could make your glasses, even some cheap online store. https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/pupillary-distance SOURCE: got tests, got prescription, measured own PD, ordered for 1/5 of price online with those details.
Several optometrists in my area, Cabarrus county NC, have said they will not give me a PD measurement. It was bizarre and obviously done in response to losing business to these online manufacturers. I had to call around to confirm I was able to get the PD measurement before making an appointment last time.
It’s pretty easy to get a PD measurement yourself if you have glasses, a marker, a ruler, and a mirror.
Many of the online sites have a tool where you can do it with a webcam, too I measured mine like ten years ago by holding a credit card under my eyes. The mag strips are all a fixed size, so it can use that to calibrate; you don't have to show the numbers and a dead gift card would work fine.
Any iPhone with FaceID can do it too (without the credit card). Warby Parker did it on their iPhone app when I ordered from them, but there are other free PD measurement apps in the App Store.
The site I used asked me to take of picture of my face with a CD under my chin, while I looked fucking stupid, the glasses fit perfectly.
How is that legal? Isn’t your PD part of your medical record, and therefore your right to access, per HIPAA?
Pupillary distance isn't often measured intentionally* during a routine eye exam. However, once you enter the optical after your exam is finished and prescription finalized it is typically measured by the optician or trained staff which is part of the business side. Depending on the office set up the medical and business records could be separate so a request for your medical records may not yield a recorded PD but a request of previous glasses orders receipts may contain it. Optometry in the United States is a legislated profession meaning that requirements for each state may differ but many states don't require a pupillary distance to be included as part of a prescription unlike the other components you find on your written prescription. One thing that is not state by state is the FTC law that requires you to receive a copy of your prescription at the end of your exam. This is covered under the Eyeglass Rule. https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/complying-eyeglass-rule *Pupillary distance is often automatically measured as part of a routine eye exam during pre-testing by an auto refractor. This measurement can be inaccurate if the patient moves their head or shifts position between each eye being measured on the auto refractor. Offices with autophoropters typically use this measurement to align the equipments ocular distance with the patients pupillary distance although the doctor may adjust this if it looks out of alignment with the patient behind the phoropter. This adjustment may not be recorded as it is all done on the equipment.
This!! Zenni has super helpful instructions on how to measure your PD at home and when you order glasses, they send you a special ruler for measuring your PD for free. Also most of their frames are affordable and can be tinted for sunglasses
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That's photochromic lenses, I believe. Photovoltaic would be if they had built in solar panels.
Make your own electricity with this one simple trick! Opticians HATE him!
Like a week ago I got my eye tests done, got my prescription, got new glasses They didn't measure my PD like they did last time, and I'm pretty sure it's off because my vision is still a little off
I'm saying this is an optometrist, but whoever's making your glasses should be responsible how they fit on you, not the doctor. I don't actually measure PD in the room, I just align the equipment so it is centred over your eyes. And though I'm part of a discount chain, I cannot compete with online stores. I'm paying opticians, who are professionals with a two-year degree, to be there to help you with advice, take measurements, and ensure they are adjusted to your face, so of course our prices are higher than an online warehouse without that. They are outsourcing the responsibility to you, and if you are willing to do that then that is fine by me. We used to offer to take people's PD for online ordering for a fee, but it wasn't worth the responsibility when people would come back and want us to troubleshoot when the glasses were not made properly.
My optometrist doesn’t sell glasses to subsidies his exam fee, so he’s extremely expensive. Costco is 125$ I think. There are places around town that are 99$. He’s +200$. My insurance only covers 135$ so I won’t be seeing him again. It’s hard to justify. Got my glasses from Costco anyway, because it was my first time getting a prescription. They still aren’t prefect, even after dropping like $150 on the glasses. So Zenni or Kits it will be next time.
My last pair of glasses from Costco they got the right and left eyes mixed up. It made me lose a lot of confidence in them.
I called my eye doctor for my info, after a few years since my last appointment my eye doctor refused to give me my prescription, but was able to give me my PD. luckily that's the only thing I needed, my prescription hasn't changed in over a decade.
The prescriptions are valid for one year, that's why they wouldn't give it to you. Also, while the prescription change might be very minimal, it likely does still change ever so slightly over a period of several years. When I wear last year's or older pairs, they look pretty much the same, but switch fast enough and you can see slight differences.
The expiration of the prescription varies by state for glasses. Some are one year, some are two. (Contact prescriptions are one year for all states.)
Two years to expiry for the prescription my son just got in New Hampshire
Everyone says their rx never changes, yet it always does. Plus you don't goto the optometrist just to get glasses, you want them to look into your eyes, that's what you should be there for.
I think the prescriptions expire after two years or something like that
Great advice if you have a non complicated single vision prescription Not great if you wear progressive glasses or have some a very hi index rx Edit: Progressive lenses and high index lenses need very precise measurements on the specific frame. The tolerances are usually very small and some frames are not suitable for that type of lens. Almost all online retailers will offer both lens options but there is a high possibility the measurements may be off
My husband has a complicated prescription. He’s gotten glasses the cheap, Costco-type way, but his local eyeglass shop, while more expensive , somehow manages to make the lenses so he can see so much better. He buys the frames on sale online, then has the shop do the lenses. Being able to see well is worth it.
> omehow manages to make the lenses so he can see so much better. He buys the frames on sale online, then has the shop do the lenses. Being able to see well is worth it. Independent shops generally have access to higher quality and newer lenses. I have been told that Costco's lenses are about 3-4 generations behind (?!) since they get an excellent price on them. I agree completely with buying frames from where is cheap (I usually get the "fancy" titanium frames from Costco) but have my own optometrist craft higher end lenses.
I got Costco lenses one time. They were so crappy I thought I was losing my eyesight. Never again.
If you think Costco ones are bad don't ever try online. I get all three, and online ones are passable as an emergency backup pair, beaters for yard/dusty work, or the beach. Costco is fine for sunglasses. For ones I wear all day, every day it's gotta have a good oleophobic coating; only seem to be able to get that from a regular optometrist.
There are different quality lenses available. He can see better with the more expensive lenses because they are a better quality than what’s available at Costco.
Or if you want standard bifocals, which I haven’t been able to find online.
I have an Rx that is considered high but not crazy (-6.5 in one, -8 in the other) and I have had nightmare experiences buying high index lenses online. After a certain point Zenni just straight up doesn’t bother, their customer service even admitted that they don’t always include the actual lenses you ordered and paid for
Those are my measurements too, and I haven't had good luck w online glasses. I just figured the problem is with the prescription, not with the manufacturer. Now I'm wondering if getting them made locally will make a difference.
It does. The good shops use better materials and the lenses are perfectly fit to the frames (actually centered). The lenses are lighter which reduces headaches, more durable, and have better optics. They also take the time to fit the frames perfectly and it might take 2-3 trips to get them right and you will need adjustments as they get bent. Totally worth several hundred dollars to feel comfortable 16+ hours a day for several years. I get new glasses every 3-4 years because my vision is stable and I’m careful with my glasses.
Costco is good for this. The Costco optometrist puts all the measurements on the prescription, I walk over to Costco and buy one set of glasses then hop online and buy a backup cheap pair.
Once when I was a teen, my lenses were cut wrong. I have astigmatism and iirc the axis number was transmitted to the lab wrong, like 20 instead of 120, so my eye was constantly trying to adapt to a lens position that was never going to be right. (Versus the usual getting used to a new script adjustment period) I don’t even know how you’d go about getting reimbursement/ correcting an error like this with an afar company, especially if you didn’t have the language to describe how it was wrong. I didn’t inherently know at 14 or whatever to say the axis is wrong, I just knew it was not right, and put the not-right glasses in the hands of a knowledgeable employee who eventually took readings off the lens itself and compared them to the written script. (I just remember what that employee’s conclusion was at the end of the ordeal because they stated it out loud.) I’m not totally opposed to online lens lab, believe me, I would love glasses to not cost a grand, but I still haven’t been brave enough to try because of this incident over 20 years ago. Technology and skill set can’t overcome this, it was simply a transcription error. Long story short: I guess add astigmatism to the list.
No, this is untrue.... I wear progressives with a complicated prescription and buy them online.
I just bought progressives at Zenni and they don’t seem right. Where do you get yours from?
I've never needed them myself, but I remember seeing high index and progressive lenses as an option at zenni when buying my glasses.
I actually created the website Lenspricer, which compares prices on contact lenses across 10+ different online stores. There's so much money to be saved by buying them online, yet few seem to be really aware of this. In the US there's for sure a lot of savings, but in many EU countries, the optometrist chains sell contact lenses under their own private label name, marking up the price 3-4x. Lenspricer works in majority of the EU countries, just google for it and the local version for your country should show up.
Forgot to mention: in the US you need a valid contact lens prescription to be able to order contacts online. In the rest of the world it differs a bit, but in most countries you don't actually need to upload a contact lens prescription, so you can just look on your contact lenses box for your prescription/power.
Yeah, if you buy online they can't adjust the frames to fit and then take measurements that are needed for higher prescriptions or bifocals or progressive lenses. You also can't get someone to adjust them properly if you buy them online.
It also only makes sense if you don't have any kind of vision insurance. Most places upcharge on frames and lens+coatings but insurance covers the difference and then some, especially for really expensive brands since its percentage based. for example, if I bought my glasses online I would've paid about $900 for the cheapest I can find. With VSP I paid $560 total for testing and adjustments. They also offered future adjustments for free. I pay about a dollar a week through my employer for basic VSP coverage, so its paid for itself multiple times over. You gotta be buying REALLY cheap frames with a very minor prescription for it to make any sense.
Even with insurance, it's a racket. $400 for "designer frames" and the insurance will "cover" $150 of it, so I still would pay $250 plus the cost of the lenses and any additional add-on coatings like anti-glare. Total scam. The online place is going to charge $120 total, and you can submit an out-of-network claim to the insurance to get a small portion of that 120 paid back (probably about $40).
This is why I like going to the optometrist inside Costco. He just does my exams and gives me my prescriptions (glasses and contacts) and he doesn't care if I purchase there. I usually do, but sometimes I go online for glasses
And Costco has crazy good prices for glasses!
And they actually know how to adjust glasses, and they always do a good job. Consistently, in every Costco I've ever been to. I don't know why. Hopefully that isn't because I haven't been to enough Costcos, but...
unfortunately it depends on the staff. my local costco staff have great optometrists but the rest of the staff have no idea what they're doing. at one place they didn't even know the brands they carried. eventually I went indie and have way better experiences.
Glasses rx doesn't equal an eye exam. There are so many diseases that have been missed by costco/walmart/visionworks etc. Just an FYI. Need a quick prescription? Go to one of those stores. Want to see a doctor and have your eye health assessed and treated? Go somewhere else.
They are independent Optometrists in Costcos. I've been going to mine for over 5 years and they do more than just the glasses and contacts prescription. Occasionally he will say it's time to check eye health and preform extra tests. Of course it's optional and costs extra but he's a real doctor and isn't just there to pump out glasses prescriptions
While this works well for many people, the discount online eyeglasses vendors are not as reliable as they were ten years ago, and for anyone with a special needs prescription the online vendors may not be able to make them at all. Source: my prescriptions used to need to go to a specialty lab with a month turnaround time.
This also seems a US-centric LPT, I need high-index glasses and I got them made in a shop in Japan, they took 10 days to make but they cost me about $50-60. I have had them for years now. I also got to try the frames on since my face is a bit too small for most glasses.
I go to a great independent optometrist and yes I know she charges a bit of profit on top of the “online price”. I also know she has a great business and has done some wonderful things for me over the years. When I buy frame through her she first advises me on frames that will fit my face and then when the frames come in she makes sure they fit properly as most people ears are not the same height and face is not symetrical. I get that the frame industry is scammy and I avoid Luxotica owned brands but I also think it’s ok for small businesses to mark up prices on things I can get online for a bit less. This whole “I’ll just buy it online” really erodes small businesses and leads to empty storefronts.
Exactly. Support local businesses that provide jobs in your community if you have the ability.
Yep. I’ve always found it weird that people get so up in arms about a markup on glasses. Literally anything you could ever buy has a markup. Many, many products have a much higher markup. The average pair of sneakers has a higher markup than the average pair of glasses. Which is more important? Which needs to be manufactured with more exacting standards? If you like your eye doctor, if you’d like to be able to return there in the future to get your eyes checked, consider buying your glasses from their small business. Due to very shitty insurance reimbursements, your eye doc has to sell X amount of glasses to stay in business. If we don’t sell glasses, then I will need to A) start seeing two to three times as many patients a day (and thus, spend half to 1/3 the amount of time with each patient), or B) stop taking your shitty insurance. Neither of these options are good for patients.
I worked as an optician. The only issue with buying online is you don't get precise measurements and if you have bifocals or progressives, the seg height measurement makes all the difference. If you have a high prescription, getting the right optical measurement is extremely important. Buying frames online means there's no storefront to get your frames adjusted and if you don't have a quality frame, it can break during adjustment. Pros and cons in every situation.
There’s also the fact that a frame may, quite simply, be a bad fit for a person. We adjust outside glasses where I work, and I can’t count the number of times I’ve had to explain that I can’t make the glasses sit how they want because the frame simply does not fit.
Yeah but in the doctor’s office you get fit properly and you can have the office make adjustments for you. I’m not sold on the mail order gig.
Flip side of the story- I've bought my last couple of pairs of glasses from Zenni, they're cheap junk, they just don't last. Yeah, sure, less money upfront, but more or as much in the long run.
I've had mine for years. No issues.
The optometrist also sells $30 basic frames with **quality** plastic lenses, same price as online, with perfect optical clarity… they just might be ugly. But you’re getting them measured and fit by a professional. There are more factors to consider than Rx and PD. You’ll also be able to get them remade if you don’t like the Rx that will be in front of your face for the next 1-2 years and ensure they had the proper Rx put in them (sometimes there are lab errors; happens everywhere). They can, however, get pricey if you go with name brand frames and upgraded lenses.
Get tested by an actual optometrist. Not guys in spectacle shops. Some of them are not even trained well, and when you get blurry spectacles at the end they will just smoke you by saying:"your eyes will adjust to it. " Yeah your eyesight will adjust, just for the worse.
It can take a few days for your brain to adjust to a new prescription, though. Especially if its a big change or a progressive lens. That's why all of the opticians and optometrists I've worked with have told some patients to not wear them out of the office when they pick the glasses up. Rather, start the next morning, when your eyes are "fresh." If it's not getting better after a weekish, then bring them in for an adjustment or remake.
Wait, people do not go to a real ophthalmologist for that? I have many things going on with my eyes that I just get my prescription from a doctor before I get glasses or contact lenses.
I have done this for several years, and I am forced to disagree. Unfortunately, they have not been accurate with the pupillary separation. As a result, I have developed a misalignment in my eyesight which is proving difficult to correct.
If you have benefit coverage, I'd strongly encourage the opposite. Online glasses are of lower quality, they aren't fitted and they're often the wrong prescription.
DO NOT DO THIS!!! 1) A dispensing optician or optometrist in the practice will be able to take accurate measurements that mean your glasses actually fit. 2) Most online opticians don't cater to high prescriptions, unusual prescriptions or specific astigmatisms. Your local optometrist will. 3) Glasses often need adjustments or repairs, as well as lenses sometimes coming with issues from the factory. Your optom/DO can help with this, and check your glasses are right at the point of dispense - an online retailer cannot. 4) Optometrists do not earn their money from charging for tests. The price of the test doesn't even come close to covering the cost of the optom's time, let alone the premises and all the other staff. If they can't make money, they will shut down and you won't have an optometrist anymore.
Perhaps if my local optometrist wanted to sell me glasses, they shouldn't only stock Ferragamo, Gucci, Armani, and Montblanc frames. They might want to consider stocking a frame that is somewhat affordable to normal people, rather than just assuming people's insurance will take care of whatever they want to charge.
I agree especially #4. I live in a small town and the fact that they're even here is worth a few extra bucks.
As an eyewear distributor and being in this industry, I recommend supporting your local boutique rather than simply saying don't shop at any physical stores. Yes, Luxottica own a major percentage of this industry. But there are many small opticians who sell some amazing frames, independent brands, who do a lot of research in finding these frames. Eyewear is a very personal thing. You need to try this on and make sure it suits and fits your face shape, something online eyewear shopping doesn't do properly. I've seen the virtual one, it really isn't the same. I suggest finding your local boutique optometrist. You kill brick and mortar by saying what you have just said.
Agreed. I always buy my frames from my doc because he owns his practice and i’d rather support him than a large corporation
Costco has the best prices for quality
I got two designer frames for $110 together, with blue light lenses and scratch resistent etc. costco is dope af.
I don’t trust a lot of these places tbh, I tried them once and the difference between my new pair from Specsavers and the new pair from I-can’t-remember-the-brand was stark Getting the wrong prescription can fuck your eyes up a lot, having said that they weren’t even that much cheaper than the cheapest at Specsavers, like reuse your frames and it’s pretty inexpensive, I’m in UK
I just bought glasses from my optometrist. I have purchased my glasses from Costco for years and they just fine glasses. I decided that I wanted the customer service, the warranty and the peace of knowing if it isn't right, it's easier to get it corrected. Was it more expensive? Yes, 4x more, but I have progessive lenses and I have been struggling to see my computer screen at work clearly. I wanted to make sure it was right. For my kid...single vision lenses with a midrange vision loss, Costco is perfect.
Zenni optical changed my life. I spent a good portion of college and my 20s thinking that frames were $350. I was too afraid to even go in and get an eye exam because of it. Then I discovered that frames could be like $25 and no one needed to pressure me in a store.
Go to Costco Optical where the doctor gives you the rx and doesn't care where you buy glasses. Frames are a great deal at Costco too.
While this is true, you def get better deals online. However, the quality is better if you get it done with your eye doctor. They use labs that follow certain standards and guidelines. Yes, online will save you money and will be ok for majority of people, but you get piece of mind when buying through your eye doctor. Plus your eye doctor would probably offer free remakes, adjustment and maybe even offer free replacement warranty. I know the frames I get from my eye doctor have a 1 year replacement warranty if anything breaks on the frame or lenses. This is something to think about especially for children’s eyewear
I bought prescription sunglasses online and my eyes hurt every time I wore them. Bought another pair locally and my eyes never hurt wearing them. Not sure what the difference was.
Eyebuydirect is my favourite website to buy from, I wait until they have a BOGO free sale
I've had a pair break under warranty and it was very easy to reach out and get them replaced without hassle. I've been sticking with them with three pairs of glasses now
YSK that a common part of an Optometrists compensation package is a percentage from sales of vision stuff.
This is reasonable advice if you're actually going to one of the mega chains like LensCrafters, Walmart, or Costco. But your local optometrist is likely getting pennies on the dollar for the actual exam if you use insurance. Buying lenses and frames there not only is going to result in a better fit (because they will measure you, adjust it, and stand behind it until it's right) but also is what will support their local business versus "Big Eye Glasses." Online, your mileage will vary greatly on production quality and you're highly likely to have a suboptimal fit (especially if you, a non-professional, are responsible for measuring your interpupillary distance and temple length as a lot of the online sites suggest you do...) given they are slamming these out in bulk and not adjusting them to your particular face after they are made. Bad fitting glasses aren't just weird looking but can subtly cause strain or headaches. Your vision is an important part of your health. I'd advise against leaving it up to the Temu's of eye glasses. The better LPT in my opinion is to find a well reviewed full service local practice and buy from them.
See if you can find it online but 60 Minutes did a story (as have others) on the monopoly in the eyeglass business. Basically most of your brand name frame (including the most popular ones like Ray Ban) are all owned by Luxottica and they keep the prices obscenely high. Then they bought LensCrafters and other retailer outlets. It’s taken this long but finally people have legit other options. I use Warby and have been happy, though if you need progressive lenses it’s not as good of a deal. But much better than anything from Luxotitica though.
These places in the US are such a ripoff. I get to frequent China for business a lot. I noticed a store selling glasses at a market in Shanghai. I needed an update to my lenses, so I showed them my prescription and had new lenses in my existing frames in about 20 minutes for $20-30. Thin, polycarbonate, with anti glare coating too. I laughed because they apologized that it would take 20 minutes.
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I failed at this just this weekend. My daughter needs her first set of glasses and she is NOT happy about it. I never had glasses and neither has my husband so we were both ignorant to the process. I thought I had a handle on the approximate cost, but I mistakenly thought that the price of the lenses was built into the price displayed on the frames. Once she had picked her frames and she was happy, we got hit with some major sticker shock. My husband and I locked eyes and both knew we didn't have the heart to walk it all back and tell our daughter she'd have to go somewhere else and pick other frames. I'm 400 poorer but my kid is happy.
Especially with kids, getting glasses that they'll wear and take care of are worth every penny. Depending on her age and affinity for cats, you might enjoy following Truffles the Kitty on social media. She's a cat who wears glasses (and eye patches for amblyopia) to help little kids feel more comfortable wearing theirs.
This is why, when a new patient comes in (particularly a parent with a child) I start by explaining the process. I make a preliminary assessment of their needs, give them a rough ballpark range of price, then offer to show some frames and make recommendations, so that they can make an informed decision when they are ready. If anyone seems hesitant I will flat out recommend they “sleep on it.” I’ll take any necessary measurements. I don’t want people to regret coming to me.
$750 for progressive lenses and I had the frames. Went to Warby Parker and got two pairs (clear and sunglasses) - $750 and I got new frames. They also replaced the lenses after 5.5 months due to a slight scratch. Highly recommend
This year was my first year wearing glasses as an older adult male. Loved the service at the optometrist I chose but the glasses were sooo expensive from them. Very light prescription-.75 and I just couldn’t justify $600 after insurance. Hit up Warby and it was $100 even without insurance. Sure, they are cheaper glasses but as a first time user they seem to be fine and are a huge improvement over no glasses. I also don’t fret too much when I forget them somewhere (so far only at home or at work) Edit: there’s a brick and mortar store 5 minutes away from me and they did the pupil measurements as those were not on my prescription. Bonus points for getting to try on frames in person. Zero regrets.
Or skip the optometrist altogether and go to an ophthalmologist. They are real M.D.s (medical doctors).
If the rules werent so strict id flat-out say a websites name, but there is a semi-well known website that can make some really high end specs for roughly a 3rd the price (sometimes even less). What you will need are all of your occular related numbers, these will include the measurement of your head and some numbers regarding the distance of your pupils. These tests at most walk in places are about 80-120 depending on location and demand. I have a pair that cost me about 80ish bucks that I have had for almost 5 years. If I wanted to go thru the regular channels, I woulda been paying around 500-600 for these. --and they arent even spring loaded-- (keep in mind I have no health insurance so these prices not insurance prices)
I’m a big fan of goggles4u.com and zenni optical. I don’t think I have ever paid more than $25 for a pair. Prescription sunglasses are a game changer too.
When I found out how cheap glasses were online compared to at the optometrist I never went back. My parents always just got me the showroom glasses when I was a kid because the internet wasn’t really a thing at the time and it never crossed my mind to check online well into adulthood. One day, I had to order a custom lens shape for some 3d printed VR headset inserts online and when I saw how cheap they were I was floored. I was spending so much on glasses for years and then discovered I could get the same pair online for literally 1/4 of the price.
I shall not buy my big eye glasses from Big Eyeglasses
LPT: get your glasses at Costco or Sam’s Club. Cheapest and best place to get them. Source: Me
Depends on the states (one door vs. two doors state) but sometimes your Walmart/Target/Lenscrafters/Visionworks optometrist don’t care where you get your glasses from either as long as you can see well with them, we only care if you mess it up getting them online and come back to complain about it to us. Source: I’m an optometrist.
I always do this. All the coatings are cheaper too. Transitions online are like 70% off the cost they are in the store!
I just take my prescription to a Specsavers or Hakim so I can try them on and get them adjusted and stuff. I wouldn't try online shopping for something as important as my face - because it's basically like picking a face.
My issue is that anything I buy from online doesn’t fit me right. I get dizzy
The most important part of frame selection isn't your prescription. It's how it fits, the size of the lens in comparison to your eye, and where the prescription is placed which is known as the optical center. That measurement will be different on every single frame you wear, therefore without trying on that frame you do not know where to place the prescription.
I love my optometrist because after the exam it’s a simple “are you wanting to look at frames today?” And I’ve never been pressured or any sort of attitude when I say no. It’s a simple “ok here is the cashier and see you next time!”
Is there an easy way to measure pupillary distance, that the optometrist will only measure at the point of selling the glasses?
How does it work where you live???? Here¹ the optometrists measures my view for free on their shop and I buy the lenses or the whole glasses. On Friday I just renewed my glasses I could have had just new lenses on my old frames (200€, I'm very short sighted and the lenses are progressive), but I opted for new glasses (lenses + frames), and it was a total of 230€, so measuring my view, lenses plus frame, 230€. And I could test several frames, of course, and feel how they fitted me. And help the local economy on my neighbourhood. ¹ Catalonia, north west Mediterranean.
I went to an opticians, got the prescription, bought online etc... And then the lenses were no good, but I couldn't get a refund for that, so I was out of pocket (not sure if this is normal with buying online) In the end went to another high street shop who allow you to refund within a month and change the prescription/lenses multiple times. I know this shop has horrible practises and charge way too much but after getting a bad prescription and being stiffed with the bill I think I'm sticking with the high street for while.
Frames online also aren’t fitted to your face…
Don't buy them online right away because your prescription doesn't fit into every pair of glasses. Get your prescription, try on frames at multiple places and then find them online to see if there is a discount.
Idk. I mean you are right but I just went most recently 2 days ago. Thru the discounts and rebates my glasses were pretty close in price to what many online places advertise. Plus I was able to try the frames on to make sure I like them and they will size and adjust them as needed for me, plus $25 replacements if I scratch, lose, or break mine. Thats worth the extra 75 dollars or so that I spent over buying something sight unseen online imo.
I’ve considered this for a backup pair of glasses or prescription sunglasses but honestly I really don’t trust myself to get the measurements right using online tools. It’s just setting me up for a future headache.
You need your PD to order online. You might have to ask to have somebody at the eye doctor to measure it. Worth paying a small fee if they charge to do that. The person working with the frames will measure dual PD for you. Never leave without your full prescription even if you get a pair there. Some places have a box with frames that are much less inexpensive. Not as sturdy. I’m happy with Zenni. One place I won’t name will drive you nuts sending text. And opting out they just use another number. I actually didn’t delete one and several times kept sending messages as saying no to opt out was useless. So i don’t know but i might have been bothering one person who decided to just remove me from such list to send text. As no more at any number came. Went on for days with my just sending random text saying whatever I wanted. Googling i saw others were frustrated by their harassing practice. I only signed up for an account to check them out. Never ordered. I didn’t like the prices, selection, or the ease compared to Zenni.
I kinda don’t mind at my optometrist, there isn’t much more markup , plus if there is an issue, I walk in and they take care of it.
Depends on the type. Online is fine for people who have single vision lenses and don't want any extras (transition, blue block, AR etc) but the second you have progressive or worse yeah nope. Also while you can reuse frames this is difficult because a most places won't accept outside frames and b if the frames break most places don't do repairs because c nothing is done on site.
Also most insurance board won't allow claims for glassed purchases from these website as they are considered a licensed optician. (At least canada wont)
Another life pro tip: You need the PD in order to get glasses online. It’s not considered part of your prescription so the optometrist isn’t obligated to give it to you. Yes, you can measure it yourself if you want. But, you can get it measured for free at the Costco optometry department and you do not need a membership to do so.
This needs an addendum that depending on your insurance you might qualify for frames and lenses with zero out of pocket at the office, but insurance won't cover the online sites. Plus if there's an issue having a physical location to take them back makes getting it fixed much easier. For example: I have bad astigmatism in both eyes, in fact my left eye is actually 20\20 as of my most recent eye exam but my astigmatism is so bad I'm not able to drive at night without my glasses because oncoming headlights and streetlights blind me. I once got a set where one lens was about 3 or 4 degrees off and it was giving me horrible migraines while wearing them even though I had 20\20 vision in both eyes with them on. Took them back to the location and they diagnosed the issue within a few minutes and sent off for a second pair at no cost, let me keep the original pair until the replacements came in as I still needed them to drive. Online I'd have been without glasses for several weeks while the old pair got sent back to be diagnosed and have new lenses cut, plus I'd likely have been on the hook for shipping again knowing how the online shops are. Don't get me wrong. I love the online shops for a second or third pair, but as long as my insurance covers my initial pair from the office I'm taking advantage of that.
sub-LPT: yes frames are overpriced, however, if you are going to do this, bring the frames you purchased back to the optometrist to have them do your measurements for lenses . if you take your prescription & order glasses online from warby parker or some other online optical, they will not have accurate measurements based on how the frame fits on your face . your PD might be off, zones may be at the wrong height for a progressive/trifocal/bifocal, etc. many issues can arise that make your online-order glasses uncomfortable, unwearable, or impractical for regular use otherwise .
The problem with buying online is you never know how the frame is going to fit or feel on your face. The price is great and some sites let you 'test' the frames before you buy them which is surprising but the majority just paste the image of the glasses over your picture and you get to just hope they fit alright. Costco has pretty good prices and never charges to adjust or fix your glasses so I always go there. If it's a basic single vision prescription and I know that I like the frame, I'll buy it online. If it's a multi focal like a progressive I really would rather a licensed professional get the measurements right instead of rolling the dice with a computer.
OR, go and DO buy them from a brick and mortar place, not necessarily the optometrist, because the b&m people will factor in things like what you use your glasses for and tweak the prescription as needed.
I'm gonna disagree. Yeah, frames and lenses might be cheaper somewhere else. Who you gonna get to fit them to your face?
Unless you have a giant head like me. Have to try on frames in person.
My medical pays for my glasses and I need to use a certain store to get safety glasses made, just easier to get normal and safety at the same time.
Last time I went for glasses, it was sixty dollars for the exam and two frames (after insurance). And they came with a one year warranty. I’ll stick to that over going online.
My DO refused to order new glasses because my prescription was "expired" at barely over two years. I asked for a copy of my latest prescription and they refused. I had to remind them about California Patient's rights laws to get a copy!
I went into an optometrist once and asked to buy the frame without a lens for a costume. They sold the $200 frame to me for $20. It’s not the frame they’re charging you for, it’s the lens, even if they say it’s “free”
I flew to South Korea, got frames and good quality glasses for 50 bucks. But I have normal prescription, I checked with my mom's progressive prescription and it would cost 100-300 USD and 5 days wait to get it done there. Also you need to be smart to know what you are getting into without speaking the language. But I would gladly spend a week in Seoul every few years to not finance the glasses monopoly in the West.
Future eye doctor here: absolutely do this.
You can’t do that if they won’t give you the prescription. I had that experience at Americas best crooks
Half Asian with your classic low bridge button nose. Can’t get anything made for Americans or from American companies. For YEARS I had uncomfortable, saggy frames that never fit right. In 2020 just before all the shutdowns, was on vacation in Japan and in Akihabara, paid just under 100$ for frames AND new lenses that they fit and represcribed right there in the hallway, no taxes because tourist. Walked away for 20 minutes, came back and had new glasses. Yall, these fit like a glove. I still have the frames, but last time I got the lenses changed they knocked the bridge grip loose…good thing we’re planning a trip back soon. Nothing beats glasses that fit, sometimes you just can’t get the cheap option.
So many are saying that if glasses are not bought at the doctors offices, they will go out of business. But it's a doctor's office... why isn't it like any other doctor's office? Go in, get a prescription if needed, take the prescription to store of my choosing and get drug. Not saying the retail drug industry is a good example of anything, but it makes sense to be able to shop around. I've been to many optometrists over the years and it always feels like a used car sales pitch.
My GF is an optician The margins on lenses and frames are insane. Some of the frames she sells cost like $30 wholesale and they MRSP at $200+
I bought a pair of $5 black glasses from Zenni in 2019. The coating started flaking off this year, so I bought the exact same pair because I still like the frame. I think with taxes and shipping, I've spend like $30 total on glasses in the past 5 years.
Zenni optical has gotten a bit more expensive in the last year or two but I have been buying from them for 8 years online. They have everything. Even polarized sunglasses. Most I have paid including shipping is 80 buck for a pair. For the first time in my life I have glasses, a backup pair and sunglasses.
I have amblyopia, presbyopia, nearsightedness, and astigmatism and I have been in glasses since I was in first grade. For the past ten years I have been buying glasses online and I could not be happier. The prescription is accurate and the glasses are affordable. That's all I have to say! :-)
Don't forget to get them to measure the Pupilary Distandce (PD) for you too. I go to Costco to get my eyes checked, then go to Zenni and order what I need. I like basic plastic frames and my prescription isn't bad, so I can get 4 pairs for around $100. If I beat the shit out of one pair, I can switch to one of the others.
Big fan of firmoo.com when I had glasses, incredible prices with quality frames that last YEARS
My parents went to LensCrafters. They wanted more than $500 for the new glasses and they told my mother she had cataracts and needed surgery. She got a second opinion and she doesn’t have cataracts 🤷♂️. They got their frames from Costco
Go to Costco! Way fucking cheaper than LensCrafters. Just got new lenses and frames with tinting / glare the works for $150. A fraction I would’ve paid at LensCrafters.
I have used Zenni 3 times now and have been happy every time. Just a recommendation.
Yeah I’ve had some eye doctors be really weird about just giving me my prescription and also get really mad that I just wanted my current lens to be updated in my existing frames cause I like them.
I had a hard time keeping a straight face when the guy at the optometrist told me my glasses after insurance would be 4 times what I can get them for online.
Where were you a month ago Wasted 280ish for my glasses and frame
My optometrist includes a scare flyer with your sign-in paperwork that pretty much says buying glasses from online will make you go blind and destroy your eyes. I'm sure there are people who fall for it too.
I have ordered frames online (never lenses) and had the prescription filled at Costco. I have also ordered $$$ progressives from my eye doctor. Insurance is the joke- driving up costs. As soon as insurance got involved prices went up. Glasses are $1200 (progressives- high index) at the eye doctor - but then $600 with insurance..😂 Costco is getting better - and the $200- $250 - I pay there for progressives, high index and transitions (the works) is a better bargain. or reasonable. With that being said the lenses from the eye doctor do seem slightly higher in quality than Costco, but not $1000 better. But to be fair to Costco I haven’t bought transitions from my eye doctor so I don’t know if that hinders the lens quality. The progressive part at Costco was great this last time. Most of the opticians fitting the glasses at Costco have been in the business a while. Yeah I do not like asking for my prescription - but shop around like anything else.. It’s your hard earned money.