Looking for eyeglasses in Tampa and I'm a little shocked. (opthamologist, to buy)

[mickeyfinn]

Hi,

The opthamologist tells me I need glasses, progressive lenses is what he recommended.

So I took his eyeglass RX and went to a one-hour place. I selelcted frames that cost $100 and was told the lenses would start at $280 and could go as highs as $360 depending on lens coatings for scratch resistance and so on.

Is $400 (give or take) a usual price for glasses?

Might anyone here know of a place I can get progressive lenses less expensively?

Thank you.

[housingcrashsurvivor]

Sorry, new to area and so don't know much of particulars but just to comment that I tried progressive lenses years ago and didn't like them at all. I guess some people like them because they still sell but I thought them a total waste of money. Your mileage may vary.

[CrowGirl]

That's not at all unusual. I just ordered new ones last week and paid twice as much. I understand getting progressive lenses itself adds between $50-$100. You could get lined bifocals. I believe that saves about $50. Also, ask about any discounts they may have. For example, Lenscrafters offers a discount for AAA members. Also, I haven't bought glasses from Sears in a while, but they used to be less expensive than other places. Don't know if they still are. But to your original question, no, $400 is not at all excessive.

[Maggi07]

That's about what I paid for my glasses in Michigan with no special anything.

[oconnorcm3]

Ask to try a progressive pair of lenses on, first. Obviously it won't be your exact prescription but perhaps they have something close for you to try. My husband bought progressive lenses, as recommended, and can't wear them. He gets sick to his stomach. Before spending a small fortune on glasses figure out what works best for you. My husbands $350. glasses are sitting in a drawer. He wears 'grocery glasses' for reading and his old 'distant glasses' for driving.

[tjax1000]

I'm not sure about progressives but I've saved a lot of money at Costco Optical. My glasses used to be in the $400 range from your standard place at the mall, with only generic frames. I've got a rather strong prescription. Last time, I got a pair of Nike frames and lenses at Costco in the mid-200's I think. They order out the lenses though so you have to be willing to wait.

[Aconite]

Honestly, I've bought my last two pairs (coke bottle bifocals) from Walmart and Target. And while I hesitate to recommend a big box over a local merchant, I think it's warranted when there's a decrease in price from roughly $350 to just under $100.

[Pragmaticus]

I have yet to find a store that beats Sam's. Go and check them. If you get them cheaper than that in other places, please let us know. I would be happy to save on glasses.

[algia]

yeah, to the OP, you and me both....I have been looking for frames and the prices for decent frames are out of this world, and what's worst is that Target is advertising $25 off, but forgot to ADD the fine print that says you MUST do the exam, prescription lenses THERE TOO......THIEF'S! whatever happened to being able to buy frames where ever you want? THEN Walmart told me that if my frames are 5 years old or older they will not replace JUST the lenses! and I ONLY need 1 lens!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
For the last few months I am having a miserable time with this....because this entire thing is going to cost me over $300 and only for 1 eye!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TampaKaren]

Check this out from the Clark Howard show: Discount Eyewear on clarkhoward.com (http://clarkhoward.com/liveweb/shownotes/category/11/430/ - broken link). If you decide to go this route, read the comments, they're (mostly) helpful.