Best reasonably priced place/person for eye exam and prescription glasses?

[danadana]

Originally Posted by PDXmom

Just one question... how do you know what they will look like on your face before you get them? I'm one of those people who selection 10 pair to try on and I'm lucky if 1 looks good. Any tips other than finding a pair at Target or Costco then locating the exact pair online? Is there an application to scan your photo in and see how a particular frame looks on you???

Thanks.

When trying on glasses, note the eye size and bridge size on the side of the temple. You will see numbers like 48-19,52-22, or something of that nature. This will help you narrow down the size you need. I would stick with metal frames when purchasing online. Plastic frames really need to be tried on in person to ensure that the bridge is a good fit. Good luck!

I personally would rather shop around for a good deal than buy online. I like trying frames on. You can always try Sears. They are always running a special. They are also owned by the same group that owns Lenscrafters. All their discontinued styles end up at Sears.

[PDXmom]

Originally Posted by danadana

When trying on glasses, note the eye size and bridge size on the side of the temple. You will see numbers like 48-19,52-22, or something of that nature. This will help you narrow down the size you need. I would stick with metal frames when purchasing online. Plastic frames really need to be tried on in person to ensure that the bridge is a good fit. Good luck!

I personally would rather shop around for a good deal than buy online. I like trying frames on. You can always try Sears. They are always running a special. They are also owned by the same group that owns Lenscrafters. All their discontinued styles end up at Sears.

Thanks! Great advice. I think for now I'll stick to Sears or Costco. I've had good luck w/ both places in the past and have not spent that much. (Always under 150).

Of course finding out that Zenni makes glasses in China makes me wonder if they all are. I know the frames are, but I thought the lenses were made here.

[joey2000]

Originally Posted by lovebrentwood

Basic, cheap, really ugly trifocal glasses at Walmart would have cost me $400. Instead, I spent $50 at Zenni.

Interesting as I went to Walmart yesterday - a walk-in exam was about $70 and the glasses - ie total cost - was about another $70. I found frames I could live with (for now that's all I care about; I'll get a "nice" pair after I'm employed) for about $40 and after they initially tried to sell me their g-whiz $120 lenses but saw I was basically going for rock bottom (and made it very clear), fessed up to their $30 ones. Includes a scratch coating - again good enough is all I was looking for, for now. Appreciate all the replies, will keep others in mind for next time.

[unctarheel]

Online places may be OK for simple prescriptions (not bifocals) but if I were you I'd go somewhere reputable if you are getting a no-line bifocal. Besides the PD (pupillary distance) there are some other measurements that need to be taken to get it right. If the lenses are made wrong they can make you feel sick. You may want to think about going to a private practice instead of a chain, and you may be surprised at the difference in quality. Good Luck.

[lovebrentwood]

I've bought three pairs of no-line trifocals on ZenniOptical.com, and they all work GREAT. (My total price for ALL three was about $160.) I would think the same would be true for bifocals. They included plastic and metal frames, and there is absolutely no problem with fit.

I bought a pair of "backup" glasses for my 10-year-old grandson, and that was a little more challenging as far as finding the right size.

But I found their Customer Service to be EXCELLENT, and they helped find the perfect size and style.

The glasses arrived this past week, and my grandson loves them. They look gorgeous, and the price was only $15!!! I started off with a pair of $30 glasses for him, but then I called back the next day worried I had ordered a too-small size.

Customer Service told me the pair I chose wouldn't be sturdy enough for him, and they found a more appropriate pair and the right size. It didn't matter that the "right" pair ended up to be half of what I was willing to pay; they were the right ones for my grandson.

If you call them back within 24 hours after placing the order, you can change the selection with no problem.

Your eye doctor legally must give you your pupillary distance number or numbers. ZenniOptical has popup "help" on their site, and they clearly tell you everything you need to know about pupillary distance.

Too bad they don't have sales reps; I'd happily be one. But then they'd have to raise the price of their glasses.

Originally Posted by unctarheel

Online places may be OK for simple prescriptions (not bifocals) but if I were you I'd go somewhere reputable if you are getting a no-line bifocal. Besides the PD (pupillary distance) there are some other measurements that need to be taken to get it right. If the lenses are made wrong they can make you feel sick. You may want to think about going to a private practice instead of a chain, and you may be surprised at the difference in quality. Good Luck.

[mtta]

I think it's a great idea to get them online. I went to a different online eyeglass site and my glasses have been fine.

The trick is to learn what size fits you from your current glasses. Learn what the numbers mean, and you can even get some that fit better! If you want the so-called designer frames, you can try them on at a store and get the exact model online. If you don't mind generics, shop around a bit, and use google to get a coupon code, and you'll pay under $100 including lenses and shipping.