Save Hundreds on Eye Glasses
I hate going to the eye doctor more than the dentist. I’m sure it helps that my dentist has a liberal policy with the laughing gas, but eye appointments are never fun. I don’t like the puff of air being shot in my pupil, the pressure of picking which is better (“number three… or number four?”) or the fact that they always try to dilate my pupils with those horrible drops.
I also don’t like paying upwards of $200 – $300 for glasses at the end of the experience. I’m fine with using my contacts 99% of the time, but there’s always things that can go wrong’”like when you accidentally scratch your cornea or get a hideous sty infection. In those cases, contacts are out and it would be nice to distinguish shapes from a distance.
After complaining about it to several people, someone finally suggested I buy online. Online glasses cost less because the lenses are cut outside the US and no brick-and-mortar means less markup on frames. The pair I got was $50 and the only reason they were that expensive was that I needed a special strength on my right eye.
Here’s an overview of some of the ins and outs.
Get an Eye Exam
Your eyes do get worse over time so make sure you’re up to date. Yearly vision plans are your friend in this regard’”they’re usually cheap and pay for themselves after a single visit.
Finally you need not only your glasses prescription, but your pupillary distance, the distance between your pupils. It’s a little tricky but you can measure yourself. My eye place had a special tool for the job and was more than happy to do it for me. Bifocals are a more complicated matter.
Picking Frames
I’ve never understood the concept of face shapes very well’”like what’s the difference between a diamond and oval? Still I’ve had glasses long enough to know big round lenses are out for me and that I have a small enough face that that I need a lighter frame.
Some of the online stores have functionality where you can print out life sized copies of the glasses or import your picture and see an image of the frames superimposed. Just be aware that colors on a monitor may vary from real life.
One thing to pay attention to is measurement. Unlike in the eye place you don’t get to try them on so a great looking pair may not always fit. Measure an existing pair and make purchases around that.
Freedom to Accessorize
The prohibitive cost of glasses usually means most people are stuck with a single new pair each year, if that. But some online optic aficionados have more glasses than shoes. It’s easy to get carried away, but I could see the benefit of having a casual style and a more professional option for work and formal events.
Less expensive glasses give you more freedom to mix and match’¦ or even splurge on a pair of chartreuse cat-eye rhinestone frames. I honestly don’t know why more domestic eye stores don’t adopt this business model rather than pushing a boutique service.
Caveat Emptor
A 19$ pair of discount frames is (sometimes) what you pay for. The brands offered at these sites aren’t Gucci. Compared to my old designer specs, the ones I got are pretty flimsy. I also opted for lower grade lenses than I’d normally get from an eye doctor so they have a slight distortion. Still– I can see fine, had no headaches and they’ve never broke. As a backup pair they’re perfect.
Quality varies depending on the frame, so if you plan on wearing them a lot look for something sturdier.
For More Info…
Check out the most excellent Glassy Eyes website where you can discuss glasses in the forums, read more about buying online and even get discounts from the big five retailers.
I had never even thought glasses could be bought online!
I have had BAD experiences with some discount eyewear places and felt that for the terrible service I received, I might as well have ordered them myself- but I never knew I could!
There just is no there there anymore when it comes to glasses fittings and post eye prescription follow up.
Mir from wantnot.net did a GREAT review of zenni optical online a couple of weeks ago: http://wantnot.net/2008/01/31/the-want-not-review-zenni-optical
As I remember it, she had frustration after frustration with attempts to get glasses for herself and her daughter in their city. Then she ordered 3 pr online, for less than $100, and was extremely satisfied with the results.
Mike: I’m with DivaJean… who knew?
When you say, “I also opted for lower grade lenses than I’d normally get from an eye doctor so they have a slight distortion.” — this is the only part that worries me. My eyes are really bad (-7.0 in one of them) so I only wear glasses in public (e.g. 15 hour overnight flights to Hong Kong, etc) as a last resort. No matter how much I spend, the lenses always have a hint of that Coke-bottle look… transporting me back to the fourth grade teasing. But with that said, perhaps I’ll give online a try and see how thin they can get the lenses.
Liza… that was a fun post from Mir on Zenni. Thanks for sharing the link.
Nina: -7!?!?!
Wow I thought my eyes were bad. FYI the expensive featherweight lenses would have been an extrsa 30$ I think. Pennies really, compared to what I normally spend.
Liza: Yeah my zenni lenses did seem a bit thick like in the post. No complaints per se but I ordered another pair of 39 dollar glasses.com and they didn’t charge me for my right eye or recommend special material.
I bought my glass through Zenni and had an enjoyable experience (http://frugalforlife.com/2280-for-a-pair-of-glasses/)
My partner will be getting hers through them or 39dollar in the upcoming months
I bought from Zenni two years ago as a “backup” pair (for those times I would leave my regular pair in the fridge and needed to drive somewhere). They got me to work on time in several instances, and then I was glad to have them after my “good” glasses got crushed in the street, even though they’re not quite as cute or sturdy. Something to keep in mind for my fellow space cadets.