For those 4-eyed PTers....

[catnapper]

I finally have enough saved to get my sorely needed eye exam and glasses. I've been putting this off for far too long and am super-excited about getting new ones.

I checked out the mall tonight to see just how much glasses cost these days.... and nearly fell over: $400!?!?!? I want to cry - I didn't save that much.

I actually found one pair at Sears that would be right in my $250 range, but they would not have the superthin lenses. They sure looked thin enough to me, but the sales clerk made me feel like I was making a mistake by not buying the "featherlight" ones for an extra $130 (bringing me back up to the $400 price point) Is there a serious difference between Featherlight lenses and the not-as-thin lenses? My prescription DOES get rather thick.... not Mr. Magoo thick, but thick. I do agree I need a thinner plastic, but whats the REAL difference?

I visited 4 stores: Sears, LensCrafters, and two local privately owned stores. LensCrafters was hands-down the most expensive. I bought my last pair from Sam's Club and was very disappointed.... see old thread here: old thread more about old glasses even more about old glasses (geee.... I've really been needing these new glasses since I bought the last pair! )

Anyway, I need help here. Where do you get your glasses, what did you spend, and how satisfied are you with the final product? Any words of wisdom? I already know I do NOT want the anti-reflective coating. I've never had good luck with that.

Oh Pam, where art thou? I now you can help me!

[joycenalex]

i got my 2 pairs at the eye glass warehouse. yes they wee a bit pricy (and having 2 , one to wear and a backup made it so) check to see if they're around you. HTH

[Pam]

Oh Pam, where art thou? I now you can help me!

Here I am Kim! Actually I am probably of little to no help because I get my glasses at cost from the lab since I work for the doctor. Glasses can be amazingly expensive depending on all of the "frills" (thin lenses, photogray, progressive lenses, etc.) you can put on them. We have hired a girl to work in the optical shop part of our office so I am way out of touch with glasses and pricing, etc, since she has been with us two years now and figures it all out and writes it up. I can tell you that recently a husband and wife put $1,000 on their credit card because they each bought a pair of glasses. They sort of left the office in shock.

Edit: I tend to agree with you about the anti-reflective coating. We have many people complain that the coating comes off. Fortunately if it is within a reasonable time frame the lab will take them back and re-do them. You do have to be especially careful what you clean them with. I have anti-reflective on my lenses now but only got it because the price was right.

[Marigold2]

I work for an eye doctor as well. Getting the cheapest pair possible is never a good idea, they break easily and that is never good. Do spend the extra money on the progressive that turn dark as you go outside, get the scratch resistent coating if available and a good basic frame. You won't be disappointed.

[moosmom]

Kim,

Try Wal-Mart. I got a great deal on two pairs of glasses for $168.

[critter crazy]

I dont have Prescription Lenses, but Since I am blind in my right eye, my eye doctor Prescribed Glasses with Poly-Carbonite lenses(Shatter proof), to help protect my one good eye. I got super light glasses, polycarbonite Lenses, and since I have to Wear them all the time, I also Got Transitions Lenses. Altogether they cost me $489!! Eeeekkk...but like hubby said, they will last me years, since they dont have a prescription lenses in them. But Glasses are so expensive it sucks!

[RedHedd]

Believe it or not, J.C. Penney's! The best selection (even designer frames), sales help and prices - they always have special deals going. Also ask for AARP or AAA discounts or if your health insurance has a deal with them - most do.

Earlier this year I got two pairs, ultra thin, high-index lenses for about $600, which is cheap. I bought the warranty as I'm going through a lot of eye issues this year. They have changed the prescription for me once already at no cost. I'm seeing my eye doc tomorrow for a new reading lens Rx; with the "warranty" I'll only pay 10% of their cost for changing the lenses.

I get the glasses with the polarized clip on (actually magnetic stick on) sunglasses, That way I don't have to pay for yet another pair; my regular glasses become my sunglasses with a quick stickon.

[cali]

similer problem here lol my eyes are awful but I simpley couldnt afford the exam and new glasses. recently I had the exam, to fine out the my perscription has changed a LOT..no wonder I cant see lol. wel I went shopping around the the absolute cheapest I found was $230..and that for for the lenses alone. sorry im not much help lol im just in the same perdiciment

[Glacier]

I have the featherlight lenses. I didn't get the anti-reflection coating, but do have some kind of extra scratch protection. Total my lenses and frames cost 600 bucks. I got 200 back from my insurance plan at work.

I think the extra cost of the lenses was worth every dime. I actually wear my glasses now instead of forcing my contacts in no matter how my eyes feel. I have major allergies with dry, itchy eyes. Not comfortable with contacts in, but I used to do it anyway cuz I hated my glasses so much. My frames aren't designer label, but they are fashionable. I get compliments every time I wear them to work---my coworkers seem to forget they've ever seen them before!

[catnapper]

I pulled up JC Penney's website... wow, 2 pair for $129! Our local Penney's does not have an optical dept (its an outlet center) The closest Penney's with an optical dept. is 30 miles away... not horrible in the scheme of things. Even if I ordered 2 pair as backup with the thick lenses, that price is great! You have no idea how many times I wished I had a spare pair. Even if I only used the spares for when I can't find my glasses in the morning and I have to call someone to help me look since I can't see where I'm looking! LOL

[Scooter's Mom]

I got mine at WalMart this last time.

I was on my way to work at 6am, and my eyeglasses (they were reallllly old) broke in half! So, I had to call in sick and find an eye dr willing to take me in on short notice. I went to wally world, got my exam and ordered my eyeglasses (while driving in my Rx sunglasses) and then took my broken ones to a repair place.

$300 for the new ones (I needed the extra extra thin lenses) and $65 for the titanium weld/laser job later - I have my new glasses AND a pair for backup. Plus, my Rx sunglasses for extra backup!

That was definately something I never want to repeat. I don't know where you should get yours at - but I wanted to chime in and recommend you get a backup pair - even if it has the thick lenses - just so you have one pair in case something like that happens to you.

Crystal

[shais_mom]

I go to Walmart and am always happy with them.

[sirrahbed]

We have gotten all of our glasses at Wal-Mart for years. The exams here are $40. My last pair was under $200 and that was for the quality grade frames and bifocals. I do not get any of the frills like coatings, etc. One time, Missy broke her frame and it was just past the warranty time but they gave her a new pair anyway. I am thinking the warranty is shorter now though.

That special at JC Penney sounds terrific!

[Karen]

I paid over $400 for my current pair of glasses, but I have an exceptionally difficult prescription, AND wanted the triple-compressed plastic lenses. I have had plastic lenses since they became available, as the optometrist recommended them to my parents for the sake of the weight resting on my nose. My vision is important to me, though, so the money was worth it.

In case you're wondering, I am very, very, very, very near-sighted, and have a different astigmatism in each eye. So without my glasses, not only would you be fuzzy if you were, say, 3 feet away from me*, but there would be about four of you overlapping each other.

When I have, on rare occasion, dropped my glasses on the floor where the light didn't hit them, I literally have to pat the floor, inch by inch, until I find them. It's pathetic.

*I cannot see clearly more than 2 inches beyond the end of my nose.

[shais_mom]

My frames aren't designer label, but they are fashionable. I get compliments every time I wear them to work---my coworkers seem to forget they've ever seen them before!

Mine are the same way -
I got mine @ Walmart and I get compliments every time I wear them, people ask if I got new glasses - I htink I've had these for about 4-5 years. I've had them less than 6 b/c Keegan will be 6 this fall and I remember her scratching the lens of my other ones with her puppy nails!