Any tips on affordable eyeglasses (bifocals)?

[Familyof4lovesDW]

I have bifocals and got them from Zenni $100 total for regular glasses and a pair of sunglasses. It was $50 for both with out the bifocal for DD. We are both happy with our glasses.

 

[Tink3815]

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?

I have purchased from Zenni. I think the key is to get the proper PD measurement. I get my eyes examined at Lens Crafters because they participate in my insurance. Since I have bought glasses from the before they had my measurements. I asked for the PD measurements from the pervious purchase. Zenni does instructions on how to measure for your PD.

 

[Simba06]

I have purchased from Zenni. I think the key is to get the proper PD measurement. I get my eyes examined at Lens Crafters because they participate in my insurance. Since I have bought glasses from the before they had my measurements. I asked for the PD measurements from the pervious purchase. Zenni does instructions on how to measure for your PD.

The problem with this is that the PD (distance between the pupils, or where horizontally your eye is centered in the lens) is just one measurement for a bifocal. There is also the seg height, which is where the bifocal line is in a lined bifocal, or where the progressive starts. You can also think about this as where your eye is centered vertically in the lens.

Now for some people the location of this seg height isnt a huge deal, but for some it can be the difference between being able to comfortably see through the lenses or not. And with an online company, it can be very difficult to get that measurement right, and if its wrong, will they be willing to fix it (at no cost) like a traditional in store optical would?

My one final caution on buying glasses online is that you have no way of knowing what you ordered is correct. The glasses that come into our optical are checked twice for accuracy before being handed to the patient. The only way to do this is with a lensometer. I have had patients come in with glasses made online, and the measurements or rx has been wrong. But they have no way of knowing this for sure until someone reads their lenses.

*pushes glasses up nose and steps down from soapbox*

 

[MrsPete]

I'm going against the economical options offered above -- and that's very much "not me" -- but I got my current glasses at my new eye doctor's office, and while they were expensive, they are absolutely the best glasses I've ever had.

The woman who helped me directed me to teen-sized glasses and taught me that glasses have sizes! How'd I wear glasses since I was 14 and not know that I'm a size 48? She noted that my hair's going gray, and she made some suggestions for what looks good on a person my age -- and her suggestions were dead-on. These glasses feel better, don't slip down and do what they need to do.

Because I am 100% glasses-dependent and wear my glasses from the time I get up til the time I go to bed, I really appreciate having the best.

Now, if I were picking up a pair of prescription sunglasses with just distance-vision /not progressives, I'd be willing to go with a cheaper option.

 

[bakerworld]

Where ever you purchase insure to stay within the parameters of the deal. I went to America's Best and that deal is ONLY good for certain lenses and ONLY single vision. I spent the same there as BJ's Wholesale - $330 - which isn't bad but it's not $69. I need progressives or tri-focal and compression. I try to stay away from the scratch resistant but progressives require it and AB made me purchase insurance because they know it peels. I have found my best deals at the clubs.

Where ever you purchase make sure they measure you correctly. I've run into that at a few places before I understood what was wrong.

 

[disney212]

I get DH online progressive glasses at Zenni. His eye doctor gives us the measurements (our eye doctor doesn't sell glasses). Zero issues, he has taken Zenni glasses to his appointment and they doctor said they are perfect.

 

[beldred]

I get DH online progressive glasses at Zenni. His eye doctor gives us the measurements (our eye doctor doesn't sell glasses). Zero issies, he has taken Zenni glasses to his appointment and they doctor said they are perfect.

I will have to remember to ask my doctor to do that next time! That might make me feel a lot better about trying online.

 

[beldred]

I'm going against the economical options offered above -- and that's very much "not me" -- but I got my current glasses at my new eye doctor's office, and while they were expensive, they are absolutely the best glasses I've ever had.

The woman who helped me directed me to teen-sized glasses and taught me that glasses have sizes! How'd I wear glasses since I was 14 and not know that I'm a size 48? She noted that my hair's going gray, and she made some suggestions for what looks good on a person my age -- and her suggestions were dead-on. These glasses feel better, don't slip down and do what they need to do.

Because I am 100% glasses-dependent and wear my glasses from the time I get up til the time I go to bed, I really appreciate having the best.

Now, if I were picking up a pair of prescription sunglasses with just distance-vision /not progressives, I'd be willing to go with a cheaper option.

Yeah, I chickened out on the online deals. I went back to the vision center and got them there. $338 did not make me happy but I know the glasses will be right or they'll make it right. As you, I'm blind without my glasses. At a -5, I have to wear them from waking to bedtime. Sucks and I miss my contacts. LOL

 

[China Expat]

Costco all the way!!!!!!!!!!!! I had an eye exam and two pairs of glasses/lenses for $220! Excellent service and perfect vision with my progressives.

 

[Tink3815]

If you are shopping online , take a look at an old pair of frames that you liked the fit. There will be a set of numbers that pertain to the size.

The numbers beneath the frames reflect the SIZE MEASUREMENTS in millimeters (mm). THE FIRST NUMBER (ex.54) = the width of the lenses. THE SECOND NUMBER (ex.15) = the distance between the lenses. THE THIRD NUMBER (ex.140) = the length of the temple arm including the portion going behind the ear. The TOTAL WIDTH

You can search Zenni on these numbers to help you choose the frames for your face type.

 

[Hippomom]

I buy my progressives from Zenni optical, funny thing is I paid about 100 total and get more compliments on those then the expensive ones my optometrist sells.
I just get a copy of my prescription from my optometrist, there are apps that can measure pupal distance. And they have a try on feature that gives you an idea of what they look like. I’ve bought bifocals from them also that are even cheaper.

 

[brandelyncon74]

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.

I have also used eyebuydirect for my no-line bifocals and have been very happy with them.

 

[patm95]

There are apps that measure the PD and seg height. sad thing is even if you have to order the glasses twice it’s still cheaper than Paying 300 at the office.

 

[scrapquitler]

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?

whereever you go, ask if they offer an AARP or AAA Discount, especially if your insurance doesn't cover lense and frames! I saved something like 25% the last couple times I bought glasses, once at Walmart Vision Center, and once at America's Best.
It never hurts to ask.