Any tips on affordable eyeglasses (bifocals)?

[beldred]

So I really need a new pair of glasses, been putting it off for months. Last time I got new ones (about 2 years ago), they were nearly $300 at Walmart's Vision Center. They used to be the cheapest but now I'm thinking they might not be? I know there's cheap eyeglass places online but I wear lineless bifocals and not sure if I can get those online? If anyone has, can you recommend a trustworthy, decent quality site or location?

 

[afan]

So I really need a new pair of glasses, been putting it off for months. Last time I got new ones (about 2 years ago), they were nearly $300 at Walmart's Vision Center. They used to be the cheapest but now I'm thinking they might not be? I know there's cheap eyeglass places online but I wear lineless bifocals and not sure if I can get those online? If anyone has, can you recommend a trustworthy, decent quality site or location?

If you have a Costco membership I would try there. They have inexpensive frames and the lenses aren't bad. They do take some ins.

I want to be able to try my glasses on. My contacts are also cheaper there.

 

[nw6675]

So I really need a new pair of glasses, been putting it off for months. Last time I got new ones (about 2 years ago), they were nearly $300 at Walmart's Vision Center. They used to be the cheapest but now I'm thinking they might not be? I know there's cheap eyeglass places online but I wear lineless bifocals and not sure if I can get those online? If anyone has, can you recommend a trustworthy, decent quality site or location?

I buy my progressive glasses online. I have used www.glasses.com and www.glassesusa.com

 

[reddog21]

My wife has bifocals with no line at least I can't see the line and she buy's them at https://www.eyebuydirect.com. We have also bought glasses at www.goggles4u.com but the quality isn't as good for the cheap glasses she usually buys.

 

[smwisc]

So I really need a new pair of glasses, been putting it off for months. Last time I got new ones (about 2 years ago), they were nearly $300 at Walmart's Vision Center. They used to be the cheapest but now I'm thinking they might not be? I know there's cheap eyeglass places online but I wear lineless bifocals and not sure if I can get those online? If anyone has, can you recommend a trustworthy, decent quality site or location?

I've had good luck with Zenni Optical for my kids' glasses - I know they sell progressive lenses there too but haven't purchased them. I bought my own progressives from Costco - I think they are much cheaper than most dedicated eyeglasses places, although possibly not cheaper than Walmart.

 

[Silvermist999]

If you have a Costco membership I would try there. They have inexpensive frames and the lenses aren't bad. They do take some ins.

I want to be able to try my glasses on. My contacts are also cheaper there.

Costco prices definitely can’t be beat. And they do carry some designer brands as well as ones with sunglasses clipons which I like to use for driving.
The only thing is selection can be an issue (for me it’s hard to find a pair that looks good on me lol ), but if you aren’t too picky you can get a decent pair.

 

[bsmcneil]

Zenni and Costco (although my memory - fading at this point - was that I didn't need a membership for the optical work at CostCo).

 

[afan]

Costco prices definitely can’t be beat. And they do carry some designer brands as well as ones with sunglasses clipons which I like to use for driving.
The only thing is selection can be an issue (for me it’s hard to find a pair that looks good on me lol ), but if you aren’t too picky you can get a decent pair.

If you know you're going to need frames you just have to stop in every time you are there as their inventory changes all the time and some styles/brands get bought out quick. I don't go to Costco a lot so it took me like 5 or 6 visits before I found kate spade frames that I liked. I started a year before I needed them. I have a small face and KS is one of the few brands that still makes the smaller lenses in a frame. I don't like the eye pads so it limits things a bit. I don't want something that takes up half my face or I'll never want to wear them, though I wear my contacts most of the time.

To give an idea the frames were 90 but that's getting to the higher end of what Costco has since they do have kirkland brand that has cute frames just not for me I've seen adult frames for under 50.

The lenses were 60 and I think just have scratch resistance. Nothing fancy. The antiglare actually makes things worse due to my astigmatism. Pulled my receipt out for prices cause I just got them early June.

You'll have more cost due to the bifocals but that gives an idea.

 

[tvguy]

$300 without insurance seems like a good deal. I have vision insurance and have trifocal progressives. My insurance paid $400, and I paid $400 for my last pair.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I wear bifocals as the OP does. I also buy my glasses at Walmart, but wondered about Zenni. For any of you who wear bifocals, but have bought from Zenni, how were they? At Walmart, they always measure my eyes for the exact measurement of where the bifocal line should be. I wondered how that would work if I buy glasses line. Anyone with experience with bifocals bought on line?

 

[mullysisters]

I went to Costco and have bifocals and transitional Lens. My work benefits covered it all including frames and exam.

 

[MomToOne]

It's all the options that drive the price up. Decide what you need before going in, and hold the line when they try to upsell you. For example, do you need polycarbonate lenses or can you live with plastic? Do you need any coatings? (I *need* antireflective, it drives me nuts if I don't have that. But all the other stuff I don't need) If you are looking at progressives and not true bifocals, then many places have different types of progressives with different "sweet spot" ranges - research what options the place you are going offers, and make your selection ahead of time. Also consider the "insurance" they will inevitably try and sell you - I personally don't think most adults should need the coverage those plans provide. Kids who can be really hard on glasses? Maybe. But not adults.

Also ask to see any "less expensive" frames they may have. I went to one place once that kept those in a separate cabinet and didn't bring them out unless you asked to see frames completely covered by the vision insurance.

While Zenni and similar websites might be good for single vision lenses, I've never had the guts to get progressives through them. I've had too many problems getting the different areas set properly on my lenses, and have learned the hard way I need my eye location measured manually (NOT using whatever machine LensCrafters uses) and that I like my mid range dropped just a tad lower than normal - the most recent place I went to did a great job figuring out that after measuring that meant to take the bottom of the marker line they had drawn, not the top or middle of that line. It's that tiny bit of adjustment that makes me so much happier with the lenses. But I'm not sure what bifocals involve as far as measuring like that...maybe it's easier.

I used Eyeglass World this last time, and came out really happy. It wasn't cheap, but the cost was in the range I expected and they did a good job. With insurance, I came out with 3 pairs (my "walking around" progressives, single vision for computer, and progressive sunglasses) for just short of $600. Most of the vision insurance benefits went to 1 pair of progressives, the others I pretty much paid out of pocket. I picked frames that weren't the cheapest they had but were just a line or two up.

 

[beldred]

I realize now that I think this last pair is actually progressives if that matters.
And yeah my concern with online is that marking the line thing! I know the first time I had to get my "old lady" glasses (LOL) they had to send them back and adjust where the line started.
Thanks for the tips, looks like Costco is highly recommended but sadly don't have one here. I'll check the couple of online places mentioned and see if they are cheap enough that I wanna chance it. Will check back in for any other experiences with ordering progressives online!

 

[MsOnceUponATime]

Try Warby Parker online. The last pair of progressive glasses (lenses and frames) that I got came from them and I am very happy with them. I just needed an eye exam from my doctor (eye doctor adjacent to Costco) and viola! I had new glasses. I plan to use them again this year for another pair of glasses.

I have used Costco (and still use Costco) for my progressive contacts and for my family's contact lenses.

I used glassesusa.com for progressive lenses and their frames, and was horribly disappointed in the quality of the workmanship. Of course your mileage may vary.

 

[frannn]

I have bought glasses with progressive lenses from Zenni without issue. Every time a holiday sale rolls around I try to get a new pair. Usually pay about 100/pair with transitional lenses as well. Really want to try Pair eyewear but their progressive lenses cost over 300.

 

[DVCjj]

I think Costco is wonderful. Have gone for glasses there many times and they are the best and the best price. Love them.

 

[asumom]

JC Penny optical has great sales on glasses

 

[SandyinMonterey]

I agree with Costco. They seem to have a good repuation for eye exams and glasses. My Mom went to Costco for her exams and glasses, I was with her once. They gave very thorough exam (she was diabetic) and good customer service for glasses. P.S. With inflation the way it is, everything is more expensive.

 

[Simba06]

As an optometrist, I highly recommend NOT getting progressives online. The measurement for a progressive is incredibly important, and can cause major frustration if not done properly. I just don’t think an online company can do it right. Also, there are many different types of progressives, and if you are new to them, it would be difficult to know what would work best for you.

 

[beldred]

As an optometrist, I highly recommend NOT getting progressives online. The measurement for a progressive is incredibly important, and can cause major frustration if not done properly. I just don’t think an online company can do it right. Also, there are many different types of progressives, and if you are new to them, it would be difficult to know what would work best for you.

Thanks, that has been my main worry. I hate to spend what looks to be around $100 even at the recommended online places to find out they aren't going to work for me. I've been wearing these progressives for several years now but I know when I got this pair they actually had to send them back and adjust the progressive spot because it wasn't right for me. I just really was hoping to not pay $300 again!