Prescription Eyeglasses

[joenorm]

I'm needing a new pair of glasses(readers to progressive) and it's a tricky world to navigate. There is a lot of marketing gimmicks to sort through. And, glasses can get really expensive.

But there are  some dirty cheap online companies. Are they any good? Any recommendations for how/where to shop would be appreciated. Thanks!

[daverobev]

I've used various of the online ones over time, IIRC Zenni were pretty bad quality. I found a frame on EyeBuyDirect that I've reordered a few times now - fits my face ok without adjustment.

The people actually making the glasses don't earn much money AFAIK, the lenses and frames don't really cost much - you're giving a lot of money away when you buy glasses in a physical shop.

[CrustyBadger]

I've ordered glasses online through Zenni for several family members and they have been perfectly fine. I don't know about the quality of frames - they seem fine to me, but we don't need anything fancy. The glasses function as they should for vision purposes.

[Dee18]

I used to be fine with cheap glasses with single vision lenses, but with progressive lenses I buy them through my optometrist who will work with me to make sure they’re perfect.  I now have VSP vision insurance which saves quite a bit.  They have many different plans for individuals.

[uniwelder]

We’ve been using Zenni for about 10 years for probably 6-8 glasses. The quality has been totally fine- equivalent to what I got from the optometrist. The only issue is that while the optometrist is required to tell you your prescription, they don’t have to tell you your pupil distance, so you’ll need to measure that and might be off by a millimeter. I used a pair of calipers to get it right.

[GuitarStv]

I've ordered from Zenni several times.  The quality of the lenses is great and I have a very high prescription that has often been incorrectly filled by optometrists around here in the past.  Some of the frames are OK, and some of the frames are total garbage and will fall apart.  If I'm not sure, I usually buy an extra frame without lenses when ordering the glasses in case something breaks.

[ChickenStash]

My last pair of regular and prescription sunglasses came from Costco. They work fine. Nothing special. My script is strong but simple so I'm not sure how they do with progressives. They are a little lacking in some of the fancier features like the very high index lenses but I guess that's part of the low price.

I might try Zenni next time. They seem to have some decent options. I wish I could go back to contacts but only one supplier still made them and my eyes stopped liking their formula.

[Dreamer40]

My Zenni glasses were unwearable garbage. I literally had to throw them away.

The glasses from my local optometrist aren’t actually that expensive with insurance and I get full warranty support plus fitting.

For what it’s worth, I asked my local eye doctor why my Zenni glasses were so bad and she said they aren’t made the same way. Especially for the more complicated prescriptions like mine. And a lot of people think they’re fine because they don’t actually know how much better well-made glasses could be. She was being careful to not bash them but it was obvious that she doesn’t think much of the online dealers.

[uniwelder]

I'm surprised by the negative comments about Zenni.  There have been posts in the past about eyewear and I don't recall people mentioning poor quality with that company.  I wonder if this is a new phenomenon?

[Adventine]

I'm surprised by the Zenni comments too. I ordered from them two years ago. I have a high prescription and always need to wear glasses. I have a semi-active lifestyle. The Zenni pair has held up fine.

[BlueHouse]

I used Warby Parker for progressives. 

I also leave cheap readers all around the house and use these press-on readers on all my sunglasses:  Cant recommend them highly enough because you can get reader-quality on any pair of sunglasses. 

https://www.amazon.com/20-Hydrotac-Stick-Bifocal-Reading/dp/B000W7FQ1Y/ref=asc_df_B000W7FQ1Y/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310135323596&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15242917412974869986&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9007527&hvtargid=pla-411432350821&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=62847861838&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=310135323596&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15242917412974869986&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9007527&hvtargid=pla-411432350821

[Kris]

I haven’t tried Zenni, but I’ve ordered a number of pairs from Warby Parker, both glasses and prescription sunglasses. I have a progressive prescription, too, and all the pairs I have work fine.

[lifeisshort123]

I have found most vision insurance to be a scam..... a not very expensive scam, but a scam nevertheless...

[MSAEK]

Also +1 on Zenni. I've been using them for years and never had issues.

[Hula Hoop]

Does anyone have any recommendations for Zenni like online glasses retailers in the EU?  Or, even better, in Italy?  My daughter has lost her glasses and we'd like to get her a cheap pair just to use until she has another eye exam in October.  But I can't find anything online here in Italy at least which is cheaper than retail stores.

[daverobev]

Does anyone have any recommendations for Zenni like online glasses retailers in the EU?  Or, even better, in Italy?  My daughter has lost her glasses and we'd like to get her a cheap pair just to use until she has another eye exam in October.  But I can't find anything online here in Italy at least which is cheaper than retail stores.

Try EyeBuyDirect, maybe?

[Dee18]

Lifeisshort123,
Have you actually used VSP?

[joenorm]

Thanks for the replies.

Can anyone provide an example price for a pair of progressive lenses with frame from Zenni or EyeBuyDirect?

[uniwelder]

I have found most vision insurance to be a scam..... a not very expensive scam, but a scam nevertheless...

Lifeisshort123,
Have you actually used VSP?

I'm not the person you're directing the question to, and I'm not sure specifically about VSP, but I want to give an answer anyway.  I had vision added to my regular health insurance, probably 20 years ago, before I knew any better.  I kept it for a few years before I finally realized it gave no net benefit.  I paid about $200 per year for the added coverage, and it provided for a basic annual eye exam and a maximum $150 towards glasses per year.  At most, it covered the cost I already paid in, and if I didn't use it to the max benefit, such as scheduling every 18 months, I lost out.  My optometrist admitted it had no net benefit, unless the coverage was subsidized by my employer.

VSP is a particular insurance company, and you're the only one bringing it up.  Neither OP or Lifeisshort123 mentioned that particular company.  Is it the predominant vision insurance company of the US?  Has vision coverage changed since my experience 20 years ago?  I certainly admit to having outdated anecdotal information.

edited to add----  Sorry, I see your earlier post

I used to be fine with cheap glasses with single vision lenses, but with progressive lenses I buy them through my optometrist who will work with me to make sure they’re perfect.  I now have VSP vision insurance which saves quite a bit.  They have many different plans for individuals.

[uniwelder]

Thanks for the replies.

Can anyone provide an example price for a pair of progressive lenses with frame from Zenni or EyeBuyDirect?

Going to Zenni's site and clicking on the the progressives tab takes you to a page advertising prices starting at $45.  Frames don't really vary much in price, so possibly another $15 if you want something a step above basic frames, but choosing various coatings and high refraction lens material will up your price a bit.  Its really best for you to spend a few minutes playing around to see for yourself.

[GuitarStv]

Maybe a good idea to mention here for anyone getting new glasses - remember that blue light blocking glasses are a total scam and there's no evidence that they actually work to reduce screen fatigue.

[Hula Hoop]

Does anyone have any recommendations for Zenni like online glasses retailers in the EU?  Or, even better, in Italy?  My daughter has lost her glasses and we'd like to get her a cheap pair just to use until she has another eye exam in October.  But I can't find anything online here in Italy at least which is cheaper than retail stores.

Try EyeBuyDirect, maybe?

Thanks but I just googled and EyeBuyDirect, like Zenni, is based in the US meaning that the glasses would have to pass through Italian customs to get here (shudder!)  This is why I asked if anyone knew of a similar online glasses place based in the EU. 

[NotJen]

Lifeisshort123,
Have you actually used VSP?

I had VSP as part of my work-provided insurance several years ago.  It was pretty worthless, and I probably would have come out behind if the premium wasn’t subsidized by my employer.  I only used it for simple things - eye exams and glasses - perhaps it would have been better if I had higher needs?

[daverobev]

Does anyone have any recommendations for Zenni like online glasses retailers in the EU?  Or, even better, in Italy?  My daughter has lost her glasses and we'd like to get her a cheap pair just to use until she has another eye exam in October.  But I can't find anything online here in Italy at least which is cheaper than retail stores.

Try EyeBuyDirect, maybe?

Thanks but I just googled and EyeBuyDirect, like Zenni, is based in the US meaning that the glasses would have to pass through Italian customs to get here (shudder!)  This is why I asked if anyone knew of a similar online glasses place based in the EU.

I'm in France, they seem to get here ok. Depends on your luck I guess but they send via Fedex so it's done, er, properly.

[Sibley]

Pointing out the obvious here.... a very effective way to save money on your glasses is not to break them. Part of that is buying glasses that will work for your lifestyle. The active athlete will need different glass than the couch potato. Also consider lens material. They each have their pros and cons, so figure out what works best for you. Kids are murder on glasses even when they're trying to be careful.

In the past I've just gotten glasses from the eye doctor. But I HATE glasses, I wear my contacts basically daily and have for 20ish years. So for me, it's not a big deal if they're a bit more expensive. My current glasses are over a decade old but I buy contacts regularly, also from the eye doctor.

[Shinplaster]

I used to get my glasses from Zenni, but for the past few years I have not liked their frames.  It seems they've gone more to plastic ones, and fewer stainless steel or similar with flexible hinges, etc.   Plastic frames are almost always too big for my face, and the ones I do like or think would fit don't work for bifocals.   I had no issue with the quality of their work though.     I have also tried Goggles4U twice, and had one pair be completely wrong.

The past few years I've been getting my glasses from EyeBuyDirect.   Their choices seem fewer, but are actually more varied, so I've always been able to find a good frame.   I'm in Canada, so the smaller selection of frames might be due to that.    It usually only takes a week to 10 days for my glasses to come, and there are almost always coupons available to cut the price even further.   

If my eyes would just stop changing every year I would perhaps be more inclined to buy them from the optometrist, but there is no way I am spending $600 CAD a year on glasses if I don't need to.

[GilesMM]

Costco is the best of all worlds - an actual eye doctor, minimal wait times for appointments, large selection of frames you can try on, and great prices.

[Dicey]

Costco, Costco, Costco.

You can bring your prescription from anyone, or get an eye exam there.

You can see and try on the frames IRL.

Their fitters are well trained.

Your satisfaction is guaranteed, with no gotchas.

The will tune-up your glasses any time you drop in. No cost, no time limits.

The only time I had a problem with a pair of glasses was when I decided to splash out on a super cute pair of Kate Spades at my Ophthalmologist's office. I had a lot of FSA money I couldn't roll over. Did I mention they were cute? The lenses were awful. They remade them, but I was never happy with them. I reverted to my old Costco ones and waited for a sale on new frames at Costco. (Tip: there's a good one on now.) Somewhere along the way, they went missing. Lesson learned.