Online Eyeglasses Anyone ??

[Richard4444]

I googled 'eyeglasses' and a bunch of online sites to purchase eyeglasses inexpensively come up which are enticing as opposed to going to the local Mall which I usually do. Does anyone have experience with any of these sites, and also as to the accuracy of the lenses you receive?
Thanks, Rich

 

[REWahoo]

I've done business with 39dollarglasses.com and zinnioptical.com and been happy with both.

 

[MichaelB]

I've bought from eyebuydirect once and am a repeat customer at 39dollarglasses. Never a problem with lens accuracy. You can get an online coupon for additional discount on any of the major coupon sites.

 

[lizh]

I bought several pairs from zenni optical. They are crazy cheap. They take about 2 weeks to be delivered. I was happy.
Liz

 

[rbmrtn]

I have used zenni optical for a while. Just got new pair last month.

 

[Willers]

I also use Zenni Optical regularly. Great price and quality. I've also used optics planet for brand name eyewear.

 

[braumeister]

Another happy Zenni customer here.

 

[CatInHand]

Zenni

I have four pairs from them now and the only one I'm unhappy with is because I chose a lens size that was too small for my blended bifocals.

They show up, they're good and all the feedback I've gotten from online and friends is that they're happy with them.

Go ahead, get those leopard print readers you've been craving.

 

[Chuckanut]

What is the brand name of the glasses that we can adjust for whatever distance we are away from our book, computer, etc? That seems to be what I need.

Has anybody tried these?

http://www.eyejusters.com/home/

 

[Richard4444]

Thanks to all for your responses - opens up a whole new venue ! Rich

 

[Mulligan]

Richard, maybe someone can elaborate more on this as I am just entering "readers" and haven't graduated to true eye glasses. But I have read some people complaining who want to buy glasses on line, but the eye doc is holding them hostage because he won't give the "pupil distance" number to the customer even though they paid for the eye exam. They were implying it was the eye doctor trying to keep the system closed so you couldn't buy online. Or you had to pay extra to get the number. Anyone heard of this? I am about a year away I think and I definitely want to do it on the cheap side.

 

[CatInHand]

You can measure pd yourself. It isn't that hard.

Zenni Optical - Eyeglasses, Measuring PD Glasses

 

[bo_knows]

I buy contact lenses online all the time, but with my abnormally large noggin', I need to physically see the glasses in person to get a feel for how they fit my head.

 

[Mulligan]

You can measure pd yourself. It isn't that hard.

Zenni Optical - Eyeglasses, Measuring PD Glasses

I will have to remember this. Thanks!

 

[timo2]

When I saw the topic name about an online prescription, I took it to mean a prescription monitor screen. (so what if everything in the room but the screen is blurry, only the internet matters, right? )

 

[Khufu]

What is the brand name of the glasses that we can adjust for whatever distance we are away from our book, computer, etc? That seems to be what I need.

Has anybody tried these?

Eyejusters - A new way to help the world see

Yes, I bought a pair at $140. A complete waste of money. I can't find any focal distance at which they are useable. Not close for the computer and not far for a movie either. I ended up throwing them in the trash.

I have had better luck with these, which I have been using for a week now.

Variable Focus Eyewear | A Different Way To See The World.

You have to buy them from one of their retailers, not directly from the manufacturer. Each lens is independently adjustable. You have to turn knobs located at the hinge of the stems. The price I paid was $80 for a pair. I like them, but there are limitations. You can't adjust them instantly. For applications like using the computer that doesn't matter. You would use these for an activity that required a constant focal distance for a while, like reading or watching a movie.

I very much like the fact that the whole computer screen is in focus compared to the small area provided by my bifocals. So, now I don't have to tilt my head back all the time to read the screen.

 

[growing_older]

Very happy with zennioptical quality and have used them for years. Prices are so reasonable I feel free to buy spares in case of loss and especially good for kids who may be prone to damaging pairs.

 

[target2019]

I found this site explained everything about pupilary distance.

I bought a pair of variable lenses and should have picked larger lenses. My PD was off too. When I go for an exam soon, the doctor will give me the PD, or I will try one of the methods mentioned in that site.

 

[kramer]

I just asked my optometrist for the inter-pupillary distance and he added it to my prescription. Also, when I got lenses in existing frames replaced at Costco ($87) last month, they have a little handheld electronic device that measures that. The two measurements (optometrist vs. costco) were 1.5 (millimeters) different.

I consider ordering online an iterative process. Just order a pair and see how it goes and learn from that experience.

I did this for the first time when I was in the USA last month. I had to order 2 pair (Zinni) and also add quick shipping option, because my time there is limited. From the front they both look great. But one of the glasses had rims that come out on my sides almost comically (like for a fat person whose cheeks stick out or someone with a very round head), and this wasn't obvious on the web site. They are basically unusable but I at least can use them as an emergency backup.

But for the price, I am very happy, and the other pair (which was really my second choice), came out great. The online Zinni system where you can picture yourself with the glasses worked pretty well. The lense prescriptions seem fine (near sighted plus astigmatism).

Also, someone has suggested to keep a record of the other measurements (like the total width, depth, of the frames etc.) so you know what works. For instance, the pair I liked would ideally be maybe a quarter centimeter wider (so where frame touches has less pressure on sides of my head), and I have recorded this for next time.

I have worn the same expensive glasses for a few years. The quality of the Zinni frames are not as high, but good enough.

 

[obgyn65]

I am not sure about buying glasses online without a prescription, however I would recommend not to skip your annual vision screenings, especially for those who have diabetes (or even at risk of getting it).

 

[Richard4444]

FWIW, 39glasses, Zenni, and GlassesUSA all have pretty much identical websites. Ya think it is all one big company?

 

[noelm]

I wanted to order from Zenni but their collection for my face size (large frames) is not really great. Plus, their oleophobic coating has got a really lot of beating.

I ordered from Googles4u, primarily because they had the frame I liked (plus, there was some sale going on that I learned at the time of placing an order). The glasses are on its way so can't comment on that yet. (They have mixed reviews on resellerratings.com)

Check Youtube, I noticed (after placing an order), there are a lot of videos where they compare glasses from different vendors.

 

[kramer]

I am not sure about buying glasses online without a prescription, however I would recommend not to skip your annual vision screenings, especially for those who have diabetes (or even at risk of getting it).

I don't think anyone mentioned buying online without a prescription? I ordered my glasses a few days after my latest prescription. Having access to cheaper glasses makes me want to get a prescription more often because now the total cost to change lenses is much less.

I don't think annual vision screenings are recommended for most except those at risk (as you mentioned diabetes, etc.). I get mine every other year which is overkill but I need the prescription and I want it to be accurate. In fact, California law mandated that prescriptions be valid for 2 years because they felt that optometrists and opthamologists were just plain ripping people off. I got in an argument with an opthamologist about this once and I never went back. He could give no medical reason for giving me only a one year prescription (this was before the law change) and wouldn't budge.

Web MD recommends for adults (if you know you are not at risk or if you don't have a specific problem come up):

Every 5 to 10 years if you are younger than 40.

Every 2 to 4 years if you are age 40 to 54. (Starting at age 40, presbyopia is likely to develop.)

Every 1 to 3 years if you are age 55 to 64.

Every 1 to 2 years if you are age 65 or older.

 

[obgyn65]

I have seen patients in Europe getting glasses without prescriptions as well as US patients abroad buying medicines (including pregnancy category C and D) OTC without any prescription. Better safe than sorry.

I don't think anyone mentioned buying online without a prescription? I ordered my glasses a few days after my latest prescription. Having access to cheaper glasses makes me want to get a prescription more often because now the total cost to change lenses is much less.

.

 

[Mulligan]

I found this site explained everything about pupilary distance.

I bought a pair of variable lenses and should have picked larger lenses. My PD was off too. When I go for an exam soon, the doctor will give me the PD, or I will try one of the methods mentioned in that site.

So if your self measurement of PD is off a bit, what does that do in relation to the performance of your eye glasses? Right now all I do is just keep the readers at the bottom of my nose when reading as I only need them for reading. Of I could add a 3 inch extension to my arm, I could pitch the glasses and be fine.