To those of you who bought the "cheapy" glasses at www.zennioptical.com

[pomtzu]

How do you tactfully ask your eye doctor for the prescription? Or do you just come out and say you want it?

You shouldn't have to be tactful - afterall - you paid for it didn't you?

When I was still in glasses, there was one doctor that I went to that I had to ask, but he never had an issue with it. After he retired and I had to change doctors, this new one automatically gave a computer print out whether I asked for it or not.

[jenluckenbach]

Just ask for a written copy of your presciption.

How about the fit of the arms around the ears? Usually they get heated and bended to fit properly at the office visit. Are adjustments needed?

Laura, I am unsure of the difference of the three vision progressives vs. just progressive bifocals. I know that my mom wore tri-focals, 3 distict seperate lenses, but I was under the impression that the progressive WAS not only three vision, but infinite. Maybe you should ask an eye Dr.

[Pam]

How do you tactfully ask your eye doctor for the prescription? Or do you just come out and say you want it?

No need for tact. It is part of the medical info contained in your chart and belongs to you. In fact, you should have been given a copy of it at your exam.

I never heard of this company before but have bookmarked it. I currently work for an ophthalmologist and you can't beat the prices that I pay (cost) but there may come a day when I need this. Thanks for the link.

[moosmom]

Edwina's Secretary,

I just called my eye doctor and requested a paper copy of my prescription and told him why. He didn't mind at all.

[lvpets2002]

Hey I think I will try this as well.. I need new glassess & just have not wanted to pay the $400-$600 range.. Now what if you need your eyes checked for a new prescription.. How do these people do that??

Edwina's Secretary,

I just called my eye doctor and requested a paper copy of my prescription and told him why. He didn't mind at all.

[Casper]

I bought one pair about a year (give or take) ago and they are still doing great for me. I only wear glasses when I don't have my contacts in and, I must say, it was a steal to get a good pair so cheap. I paid around $20 for the ones I bought from Zenni and they are just as good as a pair I bought a year before that for over $100.

My sister bought a pair a few months after I bought mine and hers are still holding up great, too. And she wears hers much more than I do.

I just want to give a big Thank you to whoever first suggested Zenni Optical.

[pomtzu]

I can't figure this part - I don't see how they can properly do this. When you have bi-focals or progressives, the optician always measures where to position where the progression or bi-focal portion end, so that is doesn't interfere with the distance portion of the lens which is higher up. This is always done while you are wearing the frame, and they can mark and measure accordingly. How can this be done by mail order? I can see where it wouldn't be a problem with single vision lenses, but how to get it correct with the other lenses???
Inquiring minds want to know!

[jenluckenbach]

I can't figure this part - I don't see how they can properly do this. When you have bi-focals or progressives, the optician always measures where to position where the progression or bi-focal portion end, so that is doesn't interfere with the distance portion of the lens which is higher up. This is always done while you are wearing the frame, and they can mark and measure accordingly. How can this be done by mail order? I can see where it wouldn't be a problem with single vision lenses, but how to get it correct with the other lenses???
Inquiring minds want to know!

I always thought this too. But I now am thinking that those "marks they place on the lenses" while you are wearing them, are for pupil distance, because they always measure between those dots.

Anyway, I ordered a pair and they are progressive bifocals.....so we shall see.
My total, with shipping was $60, but a total STEAL for my prescription.

[mruffruff]

Just ask nicely.

[Sirrahsim]

They are required by law to release your prescription for both eye glasses and contact lenses if you request. If I remember correctly, they are also not allowed to charge you for it.
You have to have a current prescription from an eye doctor in order to get your glasses from Zenni. I don't think Zenni checks, but if they do and your prescription is invalid then you will not get your glasses.

[catnapper]

Glad everyone enjoys them! I love my glasses and will never ever buy elsewhere again.

As for prescription, its law that they give it to you when you ask. They might give you grief (after all they make money selling frames and lenses) but they have to give it to you. All the numbers on the prescription tell the company exactly where to place the pupil, bifocal line, etc.

I must have 10 pairs of them now. I enjoy matching my glasses to my outfit. At those prices, I can look very accessorized on the cheap. a couple pairs got lost, and two broke, but thats because I had a toddler who kept throwing tantrums that included ripping glasses off my face and tossing them on the floor (it was NOT tolerated, but in the midst of a tantrum, rules goes out the door) Who cares if they break or get lost? $20 down the drain instead of $200.

As for adjustments? Take it to any eye glass place and they'll do it for you for free. I've had several pairs adjusted no problem. They know the glasses aren't theirs but its a courtesy they provide anyway.

Try it, I promise, you'll be pleasantly surprised.

[Karen]

Actually, they can do that measurement - pupillary distance - and you need that as part of your prescription. My optometrist didn't write that down, but when I told him I wanted to try ordering glasses online, he had his staff do it and write it down for me.

[Pam]

As for prescription, its law that they give it to you when you ask.
They might give you grief (after all they make money selling frames and lenses) but they have to give it to you. All the numbers on the prescription tell the company exactly where to place the pupil, bifocal line, etc.
s aren't theirs but its a courtesy they provide anyway.

I don't know about optometrists but I work for an ophthalmologist and there is a separate charge for refracting a patient (coming up with the patient's prescription). Some insurances do not cover this and it then becomes the patient's responsibility. If a patient does not pay this fee after they have been refracted, the doctor has the right to withhold the prescription until it is paid. That is the only time that I know of that a prescription can be withheld and, like I say, that is the case with ophthalmologists but I don't know about optometrists.

The pupil distance is a side-to-side measurement measuring, of course, the distance between the pupils. Obviously once this measurement is taken it doesn't change because your eyes don't move.

My boss takes the height (bifocal measurement) with the patient wearing the glasses. It can be different from frame to frame, depending on the size of the frame and where the patient feels that the frame is sitting most comfortably on their nose. At my office that is never put on a patient's script because of the fact that it can vary.

[pomtzu]

My boss takes the height (bifocal measurement) with the patient wearing the glasses. It can be different from frame to frame, depending on the size of the frame and where the patient feels that the frame is sitting most comfortably on their nose. At my office that is never put on a patient's script because of the fact that it can vary.

Thanks Pam - that's what I thought too - which lead to my question of how this could be done accurately by mail order.

[jenluckenbach]

Thanks Pam - that's what I thought too - which lead to my question of how this could be done accurately by mail order.

Well, I guess I'll find out.
I suppose there is a "standard" place to place a bifocal....like an "average". It may be right for most people, but not ALL people. (does that sound about right?)