I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about eye glasses the past few days. I had my annual exam September 30th, about five months later than usual, and ordered my new distance glasses then. When they came in I had to make an appointment to pick them up and got them Friday. I picked the cheapest frames and except for prisms didn’t add any other options…they were $300. The woman waiting on me seemed annoyed that I didn’t get any extras and that I didn’t order my computer glasses from them. No, I want to make sure the prescription is correct first.
They seem to be all right, except for the horizontal prism, so I’ve been trying to figure out if I should try to change that and if so how. I’ll spare you the details, but I’m spending a lot of time trying to understand that.
In the meantime I ordered a pair of computer glasses from ZenniOptical.com. They were again with no frills and won’t get here for about two to three weeks, but they were $26.80 including shipping.
Yes, the lady was right, I was going to buy some other pairs online.
October 19, 2020
300 dollars? great scot!
that just seems extreme for glasses. but then I haven’t bought glasses in quite some time. I used to get my eyes checked every year on my birthday (so I’d remember.) a good habit I plan to revive after I get everything fixed.
but the serious heart problem thing and then pneumonia and COPD took over and I kept putting it off. shouldn’t have done that I’m finding out.
now I have a possible retina thing going… an appt for the 27th… and then an appt with a pre op cataract surgeon for the 29th. October has turned into a fun month.
or to use your own word… adventurous. 🙂
$308, in fact, but no complaints. Given my history of retinal problems if I pass the exam without new problems I’m happy.
Good luck!! Yes, you’ve had a string of challenges. So far October hasn’t been bad here, but September was busy for us. As I told Andy the other night, we can’t complain that we’re bored!
I think my glasses were even higher, and I know Roger’s were. But they are no-line bifocals for both of us and that is an increase in price. But what would we do without them?
The main thing is you have glasses that work. I have different glasses for distance and computers because I need prisms. And I like to have inexpensive spares so I don’t have to go hunting for glasses when I temporarily misplace them. 🙂
Eye glass prescriptions are expensive, even using your old frames with new lens. I should order me a pair of those cheap computer glasses. I have trifocals so thanks for the link.
I’ve had good luck with Zenni. I started with Eye Buy Direct years ago, but for my prescriptions they’re harder to use now.
My glasses used to cost almost $400.00. Now I get them at Costco for a fraction of the price. I’m not sure how a prism applies to glasses. It is stressful getting a new prescription and frames!
Amen to that!
I understand it’s not the prescription but rather the frames that causes the prices to soar – not bought any for years, because at some point I found I could see better without them on! I only wear them (and sometimes I forget) when I’m out so I can see the # on the bus! Or if I want to spy something afar…most days I have to take them off for places like the library or seeing something on a shelf in a shop…also they act as sunnies…
The eye person wanted me to have new glasses…I couldn’t truly see the point, looked at some, and said “I’ll come back….” walked out never been back. Not sure what I will do if the frames break – probably the el-cheapo from the chemist!
Some people are lucky and don’t have complicated prescriptions. The frames were $109 and were made in China. I can’t see much without my glasses, that’s why I need backup ones, to be able to see to look for the ones I misplaced. 😀
I can’t remember what I paid for my glasses but I think it was around 250. Instead of being annoyed that you didn’t buy more expensive glasses that woman should have been happy you were getting them there at all.
She didn’t understand that if they’re helpful and a pleasure to do business with their customers are willing to pay a lot more. This gal was unfriendly from the beginning.
It’s all about the profits instead of consumer’s preferences & service. That seems a high price, but there’s the prisms that’ll increase the cost I’m sure.
The prisms were only $5 each. I was surprised at that.
Just my lenses a few months ago cost almost $600. I bought the frames 2 years ago and could still use them or it would have been another 200. It has to do with your prescription and how much and what kind of lens I have to do the trifocals and I get the lineless trifocals plus I get the glare free for night driving so that made the lenses that much. But I get one free pair of glasses every two years from Medicare but they only give you bifocals with the lines so I got those at the place that checked my eyes for free and found out that the prescription was right and then I went to the place where I buy my trifocals and got the lens put in the glasses. I am totally blind without the trifocals I need one for distance one for watching TV and one for up close
Yes, trifocals would be a lot more expensive. And like you, I don’t want to buy the frills until I know the prescription is correct.
I paid £289 for new varifocals in 2012 and they’re still okay after eight years! They’re stainless steel so there’s no wear and tear. I had an eye test last year and the optician couldn’t find anything wrong, which was reassuring.
I’m so happy for you! Getting new glasses is a pain.
Boy, this hits home. Tom’s been struggling with retinal and double-vision challenges for a couple years now. We recently saw a new opthamologist who diagnosed 4th nerve palsy. Said he could refer us to a surgeon or, outfit him with new glasses w/ prism. We went the latter route, but they’re making him (literally) sick. Back to the drawing board tomorrow! Please keep us updated!
Good luck with that! I had to look up 4th nerve palsy…it sounds as if it happened in the near past? Do they know what caused it? Prisms are tricky, but the worst that has happened to me from my muscle imbalance was dizziness and severe eye strain. I’ve also had a lot of retinal problems, and they are scary.
I could use some new reading glasses but I’m a bit afraid of the price, too.
Here getting the prescription is only $45 when we get our yearly eye exams. And you can get the glasses somewhere else if you want.
I got some glasses a few years ago. Actually I don’t use them. I find the bifocal one don’t work well with my computer, even when I had them change them up, so I still prefer reading glasses for things which I order online.
I tried bifocals years ago and like having separate glasses for different distances.