Author Topic: not so expensive eyeglasses  (Read 3299 times)

Nikii

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 53
not so expensive eyeglasses
« on: November 01, 2017, 09:26:35 AM »
Hi, my 1 year old just broke my eye glasses and I would like to get one soon. Any mustachian tips for vision checks and getting a new pair of glasses? we do not have a vision insurance.. Thanks!

rockstache

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 7270
  • Age: 11
  • Location: Southeast
Re: not so expensive eyeglasses
« Reply #1 on: November 01, 2017, 09:52:36 AM »
Walmart eye centers do an exam for $100 around here. Call around to a few local places and ask how much for an exam with no insurance and see what you can get. You can then purchase inexpensive prescription glasses online at glasses.com or other similar China sites by uploading your prescription. Using a coupon I googled, I got 2 pairs for $20 including shipping, and I've been wearing them for about 2 years now.

If you have an old prescription and you know your eyes have not changed (and you don't want the exam), you can always white out the date on the original and rewrite it. I'm not saying you should, and I'm not saying I have - just saying it's a possibility. :)

ketchup

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 4323
  • Age: 33
Re: not so expensive eyeglasses
« Reply #2 on: November 01, 2017, 10:07:12 AM »
Zenni Optical is great.  I got two complete pairs from them about a year ago for around $35 all-in.  Slow shipping (they have to actually make your lenses to order), but you can pay extra to speed it up if you need that.

My parents are optometrists so that's my exam/prescription hack, may not work for you.

Nikii

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 53
Re: not so expensive eyeglasses
« Reply #3 on: November 01, 2017, 11:30:14 AM »
Walmart eye centers do an exam for $100 around here. Call around to a few local places and ask how much for an exam with no insurance and see what you can get. You can then purchase inexpensive prescription glasses online at glasses.com or other similar China sites by uploading your prescription. Using a coupon I googled, I got 2 pairs for $20 including shipping, and I've been wearing them for about 2 years now.
Awesome.. will try out glasses.com. I was not aware of these sites and always got one from lenscrafter. I am so glad I found this forum.. now only if I could convince my husband to come read these forums as well.

If you have an old prescription and you know your eyes have not changed (and you don't want the exam), you can always white out the date on the original and rewrite it. I'm not saying you should, and I'm not saying I have - just saying it's a possibility. :)
thanks for the tip :) I most likely need to get them re-tested as it has been a while

Nikii

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 53
Re: not so expensive eyeglasses
« Reply #4 on: November 01, 2017, 11:31:01 AM »
Zenni Optical is great.  I got two complete pairs from them about a year ago for around $35 all-in.  Slow shipping (they have to actually make your lenses to order), but you can pay extra to speed it up if you need that.

My parents are optometrists so that's my exam/prescription hack, may not work for you.
thanks! will look this up

farmerj

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 76
Re: not so expensive eyeglasses
« Reply #5 on: November 01, 2017, 11:39:36 AM »
Some health insurance policies give, as standard,  one free eye exam per year and/or other vision-related benefits.

I second Zenni. They're quite inexpensive and I've had good success with them (unlike BJs Optical, which badly screwed up an order of mine). I suggest having someone else (your optometrist?) measure your pupillary distance, though.


ketchup

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 4323
  • Age: 33
Re: not so expensive eyeglasses
« Reply #6 on: November 01, 2017, 11:40:57 AM »
I second Zenni. They're quite inexpensive and I've had good success with them (unlike BJs Optical, which badly screwed up an order of mine). I suggest having someone else (your optometrist?) measure your pupillary distance, though.
I did the ruler-with-a-bathroom-mirror trick as described on their site and had no issues.

BiochemicalDJ

  • CMTO 2023 Attendees
  • Bristles
  • *
  • Posts: 368
  • Location: Ottawa
    • My FI Journal
Re: not so expensive eyeglasses
« Reply #7 on: November 01, 2017, 11:50:44 AM »
You can also shoulder surf the actual measurement at the eye doctor. Wait at the eye doctor until they do the preliminary check of your eyes (you stare into a machine that clicks mysteriously and flashes lights in your eyes.) That usually measures your PD (distance between your pupils.) Then, when you notice they get a little printout or something on your file, ask what the machine did, and then ask to see the printout for a second. It should have some rough numbers of what your prescription is probably close to. If you play 'wow-ee, lookit all those numbers', you can be furiously scanning the little paper, looking for that precious 'PD' number, and noting it down. It's usually between 55-70 or so, and is measured in mm.

I guess your mileage may vary on this, but it's criminal of them to ask for like $100 extra just to get your PD (what my eye doctor was asking for.)

mm1970

  • Senior Mustachian
  • ********
  • Posts: 10881
Re: not so expensive eyeglasses
« Reply #8 on: November 01, 2017, 12:06:30 PM »
39dollarglasses.com

topshot

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 155
Re: not so expensive eyeglasses
« Reply #9 on: November 01, 2017, 01:46:12 PM »
Third or fourth Zenni. Have used them exclusively for 6 or 7 years I think except for my wife because they couldn't take prism in the Rx at the time. I think they do now. I think we used coastal.com for hers, which also worked well. Of course, you need to still pay for an exam somewhere to use an online service.

That said one of the local eye chain stores often has 2 pair for $50 or 60 kind of thing, which isn't too much more depending on Rx/frames. Not sure of their exam cost though.

Johnez

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1102
  • Location: Southern California
Re: not so expensive eyeglasses
« Reply #10 on: November 01, 2017, 04:35:04 PM »
Regarding the finding the PD, just ask your doc. Mine gave it to me when I asked. I don't know why it's not listed on the prescription, seems kinda important.

MBot

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 506
Re: not so expensive eyeglasses
« Reply #11 on: November 01, 2017, 08:31:23 PM »
Zenni is alright. Two things that have helped:
- pay attention to frame size and PD - I bought a pair that was far too big once by being careless
- Get the anti glare coating . My husband shelled out for it last time while I used to be too cheap and it DOES make a big difference for the $5 or $8 extra bucks, especially for night driving

I had good success with slightly more expensive Canadian sites,, like clearlycontacts.ca and similar, as well, when they had good introductory offers or promos

TaxChick

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 78
  • Location: Kansas
Re: not so expensive eyeglasses
« Reply #12 on: November 01, 2017, 08:40:14 PM »
I really like Costco. The quality of frames and lenses is so much better than anywhere else I have ever bought them. 

APBioSpartan

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 57
Re: not so expensive eyeglasses
« Reply #13 on: November 02, 2017, 06:54:47 AM »
Personally, I like Warby Parker.  Looks like it's a little more pricey than the above options, but they have very stylish frames.  Also, they will let you try up to 5 pairs at a time with no cost to you (even free shipping both ways).  Guess it all depends on what you're looking for!