Outrageous cost of eyeware

[Luvdogs]

I get mine from Zenni; last time I got three pair for about $50--including shipping.

I went to Sams a few years ago for an exam. I told them I would buy one pair if they would give me my pupillary distance. They refused! I said, so you are willing to lose a sale for not giving me that info? They said yes!

I went over to Target and said the same thing. They said sure. So I bought one pair of overpriced glasses and got my forever pupillary distance so that now I can get my glasses online.

They are required to give you the rx even if you don't buy glasses there but many will not give you your PD (but you can measure it yourself).

 

[copyright1997reloaded]

I get mine from Zenni; last time I got three pair for about $50--including shipping.

I went to Sams a few years ago for an exam. I told them I would buy one pair if they would give me my pupillary distance. They refused! I said, so you are willing to lose a sale for not giving me that info? They said yes!

I went over to Target and said the same thing. They said sure. So I bought one pair of overpriced glasses and got my forever pupillary distance so that now I can get my glasses online.

They are required to give you the rx even if you don't buy glasses there but many will not give you your PD (but you can measure it yourself).

The secret (at least at Walmart) is to ask for a copy of the "work order", which includes the PD value(s).

I've gotten glasses both from Zennie and goggles4u. Look for deals/coupons in Slickdeals. I have good insurance and was able to get transition + progressive on a relatively inexpensive frame that rang up around $300 discounted with insurance to approximately $50. I like to also have distance-only scripts which I use when running or hiking, and these I've been able to get for about $15 each (I buy a few of them in various tints). Works good, in fact better fit than my $300 glasses.

 

[Conundrum]

Though Costco eye exam office and staff are right outside of eyewear station, they do not appear to be Costco employees

You are correct. They are independent contractors. However, they go through a rigorous vetting process typically by a VP at the corporate level. I was a 33 yr Costco senior manager at the warehouse level (RE last year at age 51)

 

[RAE]

I get mine from Zenni; last time I got three pair for about $50--including shipping.

I went to Sams a few years ago for an exam. I told them I would buy one pair if they would give me my pupillary distance. They refused! I said, so you are willing to lose a sale for not giving me that info? They said yes!

I went over to Target and said the same thing. They said sure. So I bought one pair of overpriced glasses and got my forever pupillary distance so that now I can get my glasses online.

They are required to give you the rx even if you don't buy glasses there but many will not give you your PD (but you can measure it yourself).

I've had mixed results using Zenni Optical. The first pair of glasses I ordered from them, a few years back, were fine. But the last pair I ordered, about a year ago, I never could get used to - I need progressive bifocals, and everything just seemed blurry and unfocused when I tried to wear them (and I tried for weeks). I'm quite sure the P.D. I gave them was the one my old eye doctor gave me (and the same PD that was used for my previous pair of glasses), so that should have been okay. Someone said in an earlier thread about this that it's not uncommon for the progressive lenses to be ground incorrectly by the discount glasses places (like Zenni) if they are not careful.........maybe that is what happened with mine? In any case, I'm unsure whether I should try Zenni again in the future, or go back to the local eye doctor and get ripped off for new glasses, like I used to do..........

 

[target2019]

Zenni fan here, thanks to E-R.org. Bought progressives in similar frame to what I had previous. This time I skipped the coating option. The cost was $85.

Six months go by and I dropped the glasses in the house, and a small chip was on the bottom edge of left lens. No problem, I ordered the same thing, and put the chipped pair into my car.

I used this article to measure my own PD.
the Optician: Measuring Your Own Pupillary Distance

I used to have the insurance mentioned in this thread. It's really not worth the effort. It leads you into higher priced stores, and you are fleeced.

Next time I go to the big city to have my eye examination, I may look around to see if anyone has the PD machine, and would share.

 

[JDARNELL]

We go to America’s best for the exam and they give us all the measurements. Then it’s off to zunni

 

[aja8888]

Long time Zenni guy here. Last pair of progressive bifocals with anti glare, lens coating,. etc, and titanium frames cost $139.00 to my door. Beautiful, have them over two years now with no problems.

Going to order another pair soon and prescription sunglasses.

I have used "39 dollar glasses" in the past and they were fine.

 

[workmyfingerstothebone]

Long time Zenni guy here. Last pair of progressive bifocals with anti glare, lens coating,. etc, and titanium frames cost $139.00 to my door. Beautiful, have them over two years now with no problems.

Going to order another pair soon and prescription sunglasses.

I have used "39 dollar glasses" in the past and they were fine.

Wow, only $139 for all that.
I don't need progressive lens but all the other stuff i like, including titanium frames (but plain metal would also be fine). Definately dropping the vision insurance, the $240 premium a year should get us exam and glasses.

 

[audreyh1]

Thanks, just what I was looking for! Been a Costco member for years. Sure beats the 1 hr drive to my old place to drop $ 600- 800 for my glasses and $300+ for DW's contacts!

How much do contacts run at Costco, mono-vision (one eye for near, other for far)?

I recently paid $70 at Costco for a pair of RGP (rigid gas permeable) contacts. Both long distance correction.

 

[easysurfer]

I've been just getting my eye exam and glasses at the eye doctors' office and paying for vision insurance on my own. Pretty much a one stop shop, go get eyes checks, let the eye doc recommend what features to get and order glasses and frame before I go home. Been doing this approach for years.

But now I want a change. Decided to drop my vision insurance (I already have eyemed included with my health insurance) and in future will just get my prescription from ophthalmologist office and then go shopping for glasses on my own (no more one stop shopping).

My question is, since I like getting various features like hi-index lenses, progressive, driving transitions, prism, are all these features listed on the prescription? Or are these features added on and selected at time of going to the optical department like Costco or Lenscrafters when I pick out a cool looking frame ?

 

[Jerry1]

They’re not part of the prescription. Drs may recommend certain add ons, and a would discuss they with your dr, they need to be ordered at point of purchase.

 

[easysurfer]

They’re not part of the prescription. Drs may recommend certain add ons, and a would discuss they with your dr, they need to be ordered at point of purchase.

If I'm understanding right, what you're saying is the prescription might just show what my vision measurements are (not 20/20, for example). But stuff like what features I want on the lenses is all done at the optician visit?

 

[Jerry1]

Mostly correct. The prescription will have other details about your eyes, like any adjustments for astigmatism, but yes, the other aspects of the lenses will be discussed with the optician or are added on in an online purchase.

 

[aaronc879]

I just went to the eye doctor last week. As I was waiting for my appointment I heard pricing being quoted in the $400+ range for a single pair of glasses. I just chuckled to myself. I got my exam and the paper prescription then went online to Zenni and got a good pair of glasses for $65. I have a "coke bottle" prescription and paid extra to get thinner lenses and it still only cost $65 total for lenses and frame. The pair I own now are from Zenni and cost $55 and have been no problem for 2 years. The pair I had before were over $300 and broke in under a year.

 

[bloom2708]

I use GlassesUSA.com

Better quality than Zenni. Easy to input your prescription. Nice option packages and they always have a Buy one, Get one free or 60-70% off coupon.

Glasses and prescription sunglasses for right about $200. My vision insurance is $225 per year on glasses or contacts. I can get 2 pairs under that amount. Plus, they are nice quality.

Costco is good, but more expensive than GlassesUSA (for me at least).

 

[easysurfer]

Mostly correct. The prescription will have other details about your eyes, like any adjustments for astigmatism, but yes, the other aspects of the lenses will be discussed with the optician or are added on in an online purchase.

Yep, forgot about the astigmatism . Thanks for clarification.

 

[ransil]

When getting the exam ask the doc to put your PD on the perscription, i did yhe diy method the firdt time i used zenni i was close to what the doc wrote down on the nect visit.

 

[Brat]

I've been just getting my eye exam and glasses at the eye doctors' office and paying for vision insurance on my own. Pretty much a one stop shop, go get eyes checks, let the eye doc recommend what features to get and order glasses and frame before I go home. Been doing this approach for years.c

But now I want a change. Decided to drop my vision insurance (I already have eyemed included with my health insurance) and in future will just get my prescription from ophthalmologist office and then go shopping for glasses on my own (no more one stop shopping).

My question is, since I like getting various features like hi-index lenses, progressive, driving transitions, prism, are all these features listed on the prescription? Or are these features added on and selected at time of going to the optical department like Costco or Lenscrafters when I pick out a cool looking frame ?

My insurance includes Eyemed. It doesn't include an exam by an ophthalmologist, just by an optician on their list. There was an up-charge for one assessment. I liked the eye exam, modern equipment, and thoughtful result. The glasses sales discount vs other vendors was as mentioned in my earlier post on this subject.

I took the lens prescription and shopped for glasses.

 

[easysurfer]

My insurance includes Eyemed. It doesn't include an exam by an ophthalmologist, just by an optician on their list. There was an up-charge for one assessment. I liked the eye exam, modern equipment, and thoughtful result. The glasses sales discount vs other vendors was as mentioned in my earlier post on this subject.

I took the lens prescription and shopped for glasses.

Thanks. I'm aware about the exam by an ophthalmologist not covered under Eyemed. Seems eyemed is more a discount program instead of real vision insurance. My BCBS plan may only cover a portion of the ophthalmologist as in-network. Rest of out of pocket, I'll reimburse myself with HSA.

I've been paying about $175/year for VSP vision insurance. Exam and glasses with all the add-ons before insurance is about $1300, with insurance is about $300 (so that comes out to about $475).

I'm going to try without the vision insurance next time to put start out in an $175 hole, and glasses shop.

 

[youbet]

I thought monopolies were not allowed ........

A very common misconception. Illegal monopolies are illegal. Legal monopolies are not illegal. You can do your own Googling ref the definition of legal and illegal but it's not real complicated.

 

[brett]

Our exams are $80. Cad.

Last time we purchased eyewear from Costco the gentleman serving us told my spouse than had she bought these at the store he sold six months ago she would have paid double.

My spouse had two pairs of prescription glasses refunded and replaced after six months because of an problem. No issue whatsover, it was the Costco rep who recommended we do this.

 

[OldShooter]

When getting the exam ask the doc to put your PD on the prescription, ...

When you ask for a PD, that tells the doc that you are not planning to buy from their store. I have been told "I don't measure that; the opticians do." So I just marched into their store and told the optician that "the doctor told me you could measure my PD for me." It worked.

Having used internet suppliers for many years I have come to understand that the best PD is actually two numbers. The first is the PD for distance vision. This is the one usually given. The second is a slightly smaller number for close vision (where our eyes are turned slightly inwards).

... My question is, since I like getting various features like hi-index lenses, progressive, driving transitions, prism, are all these features listed on the prescription? Or are these features added on and selected at time of going to the optical department like Costco or Lenscrafters when I pick out a cool looking frame ?

The prescription strictly specifies the optical characteristics of the individual lenses. Roughly, this is a diopter number for each eye, an astigmatism correction for each eye, and a near-vision diopter adjustment (for reading, etc.). "Prism" is one of the astigmatism parameters.

Non-optical lens features like hi-index, progressives, etc are specified when you order from the lens vendor. PD is actually not part of a prescription, which is why you have to figure out how to get the number to give to the lens vendor.

Finally, I have had good luck with https://www.replacementlensexpress.com/ putting new lenses in existing frames. Many of the online shops will not do this and IMO sending frames to China is probably impractical.

 

[easysurfer]

When getting the exam ask the doc to put your PD on the perscription ...

Applies more if planning on ordering glasses online? As, if I took a prescription to place like Costco, wouldn't the optician there measure my PD if needed?

 

[Gotadimple]

Applies more if planning on ordering glasses online? As, if I took a prescription to place like Costco, wouldn't the optician there measure my PD if needed?

Yes, the PD matters if you are ordering online. The opticians at Costco take this measurement so they can order the glasses for you.

 

[braumeister]

the best PD is actually two numbers. The first is the PD for distance vision. This is the one usually given. The second is a slightly smaller number for close vision (where our eyes are turned slightly inwards).

For quite a few people, each PD is two numbers. Measuring from the center of your nose out to the center of each pupil can give two different distances. So if you have a PD of 65, for example, it might be 33 on the right side and 32 on the left side. It's a small difference, but it can be a real annoyance if that's your situation and the optician gets it wrong.