Eyeglass lenses for existing frames?

[SecondCor521]

My prescription has changed a little bit, but I like my frames. The frames are in good shape. I want to get new lenses for my existing frames. I'd very much like to have them swap the lenses out right there rather than have my frames sent away for a week or two since this is my only pair, although I could wear contacts for a while in a pinch.

The optometrist attached to my eye doctor place quoted me $880 for progressive, high-index lenses with antiglare and UV protect. That seems really high.

Anyone know any place else that might do what I want for a more reasonable price?

 

[zinger1457]

Yes, $880 for progressive lenses seems very high. I used LensDirect to replace lenses in my Oakley sunglasses with a prescription transition lens. More than likely you'll have to ship the frames back, I had to send my Oakley frames back.

 

[rk911]

Some Wal-Marts have an optometrist "office" in the store. My buddy has has some good experiences with them.

 

[Koolau]

Lots of places to check to see if that price can be beat.

 

[5Miler]

I have purchased from Sam's Club, Costco and several other local eye centers for progressive lens with astigmatism correction and every add on coating under the sun including transitions to darken them in sunlight. I don't believe I have ever paid even half the $880 you were quoted. You may have difficulty keeping your frames depending upon the retailer you select but if your quote was only for lenses you can get some nice frames to match yours and save a great deal of money.

 

[Sunset]

Take your prescription to Costco, high index bifocals (without the line) plus Photochromic cost $240 plus new frames brought it to $300. This was last week.

 

[SecondCor521]

Thanks all for the suggestions!

I was pretty sure I've been overpaying for convenience by buying them at the doctor's office, and normally I would but the $880 number was just too much.

 

[Lawrencewendall]

Just re-ordered progressive in frames I like from Zenni for $96

 

[Montecfo]

Walmart or Costco. But your best bet is actually wherever you got the frames in the first place.

Buying eyeglasses at the doctor's office is the most expensive way to do it. You could save yourself a bunch just by avoiding that in the future.

I did have Walmart put new prescription lenses in my existing, Walmart frames. But that was after a couple of other places. Said they couldn't, because they couldn't match the frames, or some such which didn't really make sense.

But they also won't do it while you wait. Cheap and fast is probably not going to happen, but I hope it does for you.

 

[sturbridge]

I have a very high prescription and bought frame and lenses with anti scratch and oul resistant progressive lensex for $129 from Zenni. This is a third of what I paid at Walmart and 1/6 what the optometrist wanted to charge. This new pair is also a third lighter. They have a fun process where you can try on frames using your computer. I was a little hesitant that this would work for a high prescription but i am delighted.

 

[Exchme]

A year ago, DW went the Dr. office route, but discovered you don't always get what you pay for. She came away with expensive frames that fit poorly. This year, it's back to Costco. The price was $327 (picked up yesterday) and that included frames, transition lenses with high index of refraction, rolled & polished. They look better and weigh half as much.

 

[easysurfer]

I've gone the opposite route. Maybe I'm doing things wrong but didn't have good results going to places like Lenscrafters, Pearl Vision and Costco to fill my glasses prescription. No luck by mail either.

So I went recently went to a one stop shop independent optometrist type. I told them that places I've gone to, after the glasses is done, they really don't re-test my vision. They've committed to retest to make sure I can see properly. Otherwise, I'm crying bloody murder!

Cost for progressive, frame, transition (special that includes in car), high index, polish costed about $390 (I did you VSP insurance, otherwise would have been about $1200).

 

[reneeh63]

How does a mail order place like Zenni's work in terms of getting a good fit for the frames? I always need at least some adjusting when first trying them on with the lenses and often need to go back again after wearing for a couple days so they don't hurt my ears, for example.

 

[Qs Laptop]

The optometrist attached to my eye doctor place quoted me $880 for progressive, high-index lenses with antiglare and UV protect. That seems really high.

Anyone know any place else that might do what I want for a more reasonable price?

Yeah, $880, that's a ripoff.

The obvious solution is to go back to where you originally purchased your current frames and get the same ones. I'm going to presume that's not possible.

I know you like those frames but it might be time to find some frames as close to your current frames as you can while saving a ton of money.

My prescription changes every 3-4 months so I'm a big fan of Zenni. I buy glasses from Zenni at least three times a year and have a process perfected. They have hundreds (thousands?) of frames to choose from so you might find one very similar to your current frame.

It doesn't have to be Zenni but their selection of frames and their low prices makes them unbeatable. For example, I typically buy regular glasses, computer glasses, and sunglasses every time I order from Zenni. I do this three times a year, meaning I buy nine sets of glasses, and I won't spend $880.

If finding frames as close as possible to your current frames is an avenue you might want to explore, I can walk you through the process. Let me know.

 

[Aerides]

Costco, for sure. They will put lenses in your existing frames as long as they are in good shape and a few criteria. I got a progressive scrip put in some for about $120.

 

[Qs Laptop]

How does a mail order place like Zenni's work in terms of getting a good fit for the frames? I always need at least some adjusting when first trying them on with the lenses and often need to go back again after wearing for a couple days so they don't hurt my ears, for example.

It helps to have frames that fit your face with minimal adjustments. This can be learned through research, and some trial and error. For example, if you have frames that hurt your ears you might have a frame with temple arms that are too short. Getting the frame size correct up front saves a lot of hassles later.

But let's say you got some glasses from Zenni and they don't quite fit right. Zenni does have instructions on their website detailing how to make adjustments, but let's say you're not comfortable trying that yourself. I've had success going into a Walmart or a Target optical center and simply asking one of the sales people there if they can adjust my glasses. Do this when they're not busy because most of these people are bored out of their minds and will gladly help you. It doesn't hurt to make a minor purchase like a microfiber cleaning cloth and maybe a small bottle of eyeglass cleaner spray.

 

[SecondCor521]

Thanks all for the continued thoughts.

The frames I wear now I bought from the same eye doctor / optometrist place that asked $880 yesterday.

My prescription is very nearsighted - about -8.5 diopters, a small astigmatism, with a +2 for the presbyopia. These will be my first set of progressive lenses.

 

[Qs Laptop]

Thanks all for the continued thoughts.

The frames I wear now I bought from the same eye doctor / optometrist place that asked $880 yesterday.

My prescription is very nearsighted - about -8.5 diopters, a small astigmatism, with a +2 for the presbyopia. These will be my first set of progressive lenses.

OK.

Are the lens/bridge/temple measurements stamped on the inside of one of the temple arms? Can you read these numbers?

These numbers are in millimeters and are in a format like 52/18/140. This is the lens width/nose bridge width/temple arm length measurements.

The best thing to do would be to determine the brand name and model number of your current frames. Sometimes this is stamped on the inside of the temple arms. Otherwise, might the optometrist have a receipt or record detailing this info? If so, you can look it up in their online catalog and find a photo of your frames on the internet.

By using this photo of your current frame, the next best thing would be to find a frame that looks almost exactly like the ones you currently have and are the same size.

 

[SecondCor521]

OK.

Are the lens/bridge/temple measurements stamped on the inside of one of the temple arms? Can you read these numbers?

Yup. "Flexon Einstein 600 033 [downarrow] 54 [square] 18 145"

These numbers are in millimeters and are in a format like 52/18/140. This is the lens width/nose bridge width/temple arm length measurements.

The best thing to do would be to determine the brand name and model number of your current frames. Sometimes this is stamped on the inside of the temple arms. Otherwise, might the optometrist have a receipt or record detailing this info? If so, you can look it up in their online catalog and find a photo of your frames on the internet.

By using this photo of your current frame, the next best thing would be to find a frame that looks almost exactly like the ones you currently have and are the same size.

I don't know if it matters, but I think these frames were on the pricey side (even for the optometrist I have been using). They're very light, thin, and bendy.

 

[MC Rider]

Second the vote for Zenni. Get a whole new pairs of specs and keep the old ones as backup.

 

[Qs Laptop]

Yup. "Flexon Einstein 600 033 [downarrow] 54 [square] 18 145"



I don't know if it matters, but I think these frames were on the pricey side (even for the optometrist I have been using). They're very light, thin, and bendy.

They look like flex titanium frames, which are pricey.

I Googled the frame and found a couple online stores that sell it. I put in a high value prescription, gave you no-line progressives with mid-level comfort lenses (Varilux comfort lenses), high index 1.67, and a basic anti-reflective coating. I plugged in 66 as your pupillary distance. I used a +2.0 for ADD value.

I don't know anything about this store but here is their pricing:

If you want to play around with entering your actual prescription and select a different quality progressive lens, here is the link:

designeroptics.com

Shop Designer Sunglasses and Designer Eyeglasses, Prescription Sunglasses and Prescription Eyeglasses, Readers, Protective Glasses, Contact Lenses, Some of the brands we carry Ray Ban Eyeglasses and sunglasses, Prada, Gucci, Versace Sunglasses, Costa Del Mar, Burberry Eyewear, Michael Kors...

designeroptics.com

And here is a very close match on Zenni Optical, flex titanium, size is 54/17/140 (that nose measurement of 1 mm difference won't matter). As before, I put in a high value prescription, hi index 1.67 lens, anti reflective coating, and premium comfort progressive lens.

Here's the link:

Black Rectangle Glasses #171321 | Zenni Optical

Order online, men black full rim flex titanium rectangle eyeglass frames model #171321. Visit Zenni Optical today to browse our collection of glasses and sunglasses.

www.zennioptical.com

 

[AudiDudi]

Costco, for sure. They will put lenses in your existing frames as long as they are in good shape and a few criteria. I got a progressive scrip put in some for about $120.

I have 1 yr old frames and Costco said they would not reuse them as they have "chips" on them - well duh!1 I wear fitovers. Not going to toss $150 frames just due to a few chips!

 

[Dawg52]

My prescription has changed a little bit, but I like my frames. The frames are in good shape. I want to get new lenses for my existing frames. I'd very much like to have them swap the lenses out right there rather than have my frames sent away for a week or two since this is my only pair, although I could wear contacts for a while in a pinch.

The optometrist attached to my eye doctor place quoted me $880 for progressive, high-index lenses with antiglare and UV protect. That seems really high.

Anyone know any place else that might do what I want for a more reasonable price?

I got all that from Zenni recently with Transitions and new frames for $139. These are as solid as any I have bought from a local shop.

 

[SecondCor521]

I ended up getting a Costco membership, new frames, new progressive high index lenses for about $365 today. Thanks everyone for helping me save over $500!

 

[Aerides]

I ended up getting a Costco membership, new frames, new progressive high index lenses for about $365 today. Thanks everyone for helping me save over $500!

Great! and if you don't like them, or want anything changed, you can take them back they will fix or refund no worries.

Now go shopping at Costco and report back in the other thread, lol...