Eye Care Professionals

[disney junky]

I go to a local optometrist. He has a couple offices and tons of staff, but till I walk out of there with a new set of frames and lenses, I need a second mortgage. Sears, Costco, Lens Crafters all offer pretty good deals and there are others as well. Is there a great difference in the quality of these products, or am I simply paying more because he's the guy we go to?

 

[golfgal]

Yes and no. I have had better luck with the glasses purchased from the eye doctor but getting them from Costco, etc. if fine if you aren't rough on your glasses. I find that my eye doctor's staff is better trained to fit them properly too but again, not a huge issue. It is like anything else, you get what you pay for. Honestly though, I don't find the mart type eye glass places to be all that much less expensive.

 

[MushyMushy]

I love Lenscrafters personally. The frames were good quality and not outrageously expensive. You can use a AAA discount or watch for sales.

My vision benefits will now only cover small, locally owned places so I've been trying to find a place I like as well as Lenscrafters.

 

[Pumbaa_]

there is no way on god's green earth I am paying 500 or 600 for glassed

Do you know how many pairs I can get from Costco for that?

Lenscrafters takes our insurance and DH's last glasses were $38. We will not be buying from the eye doctor

I get contacts and my spare glasses at COSTCO and DH got his glasses at Lenscrafters

 

[arminnie]

I've been buying my glasses from China (or some online place). Really cheap - got some cute frames for $8!!!

But I only need "reading" glasses but different for each eye which is why the drug store versions don't work very well.

 

[tvguy]

I love Lenscrafters personally. The frames were good quality and not outrageously expensive. You can use a AAA discount or watch for sales.

My vision benefits will now only cover small, locally owned places so I've been trying to find a place I like as well as Lenscrafters.

Wow, that's odd, normally the insurance companies require you to go the the mass merchandisers like Lenscrafters. I've LOVE to go to the local locally owned shop where they made my glasses correctly the first time, and took care of me after the sale.
But the whole eye insurance thing is a scam. Before eye insurnace, my glasses normally cost me $400. The first year with eye insurance the insurance paid $400.....for a pair of glasses that now cost $800 !!

 

[disney junky]

Wow, that's odd, normally the insurance companies require you to go the the mass merchandisers like Lenscrafters. I've LOVE to go to the local locally owned shop where they made my glasses correctly the first time, and took care of me after the sale.
But the whole eye insurance thing is a scam. Before eye insurnace, my glasses normally cost me $400. The first year with eye insurance the insurance paid $400.....for a pair of glasses that now cost $800 !!

That seems to be my experience. The prices have skyrocketed, and though I don't object to people making a living, I see a whole lot of overhead in some of these offices. I did get a pair from Costco for a fraction of the cost. I suppose I'll head back there. Our eye insurance doesn't deal with them, but the cost out of pocket is still less than if I go local.

 

[MushyMushy]

Wow, that's odd, normally the insurance companies require you to go the the mass merchandisers like Lenscrafters. I've LOVE to go to the local locally owned shop where they made my glasses correctly the first time, and took care of me after the sale.
But the whole eye insurance thing is a scam. Before eye insurnace, my glasses normally cost me $400. The first year with eye insurance the insurance paid $400.....for a pair of glasses that now cost $800 !!

Yes, it is odd, and we'd love to change insurance companies. I'm not saying all Lenscrafters are great, but the one we go to is. I remember one time the optometrist kept getting something wrong with my prescription (took us a while to figure out that's what it was), and the manager of Lenscrafter kept letting me return the glasses several times long after the 30 day return period. His attitude was that he wanted me to be perfectly happy with my glasses, and he'd do whatever it took to help me with them.

The insurance company we have is Vision Benefits of America. Anyone ever heard of them?

 

[disney junky]

Yes, it is odd, and we'd love to change insurance companies. I'm not saying all Lenscrafters are great, but the one we go to is. I remember one time the optometrist kept getting something wrong with my prescription (took us a while to figure out that's what it was), and the manager of Lenscrafter kept letting me return the glasses several times long after the 30 day return period. His attitude was that he wanted me to be perfectly happy with my glasses, and he'd do whatever it took to help me with them.

The insurance company we have is Vision Benefits of America. Anyone ever heard of them?

I think that's what we have too. We get percentages off the different parts of the glasses. It always sounds better when they tell you your coverage then when the store hands you the bill.

 

[Wiloughby1]

At a big chain, and we are currently buying our own practice so he can leave that hell hole. I have some good insight (no pun intended) on the difference.

This chain, not to be mentioned-
-requires him to see 6.5 patients per hour
-recommend contacts that are not the healthiest for his patients because they have the best mark-up
-allows poorly trained staff (with a rapid turnover) to measure pupillary distance requiring constant remakes
-expects him to refer out for "eye health" since they have a fixed rate (free) for exams and they aren't worth their time when glasses help the store make $1.5 million a year- on closeouts

Dh will take a significant paycut to buy this practice, but ethically he HAS to do it. Quality EYE CARE requires 3-4 patients/hour, max, when they are all easy healthy eyes. He wants to recommend the right contacts for an individual. He will do all the measurements for fittings of all kinds, and his staff (continuing from the last optometrist who passed suddenly) are properly trained. Our optical has a range of frames from discount to designer. Some people come for cheap because they need to, but they still get COMPREHENSIVE eye care, unlike at the chains. Yes, the doctors are highly qualified, but they are not allowed the time and materials to give the care their patients deserve....

So- if you are looking for CHEAP- go to the chains. If you are looking for VALUE- find a doctor that takes good care of you. Then buy your glasses wherever you want. You may find that your doctor's optical, with all features included has comparable prices, and better service for your eye health...

And that's my soapbox for the day. TYVM.

Autumn

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Autumn, I have to agree with you.

My DH is an optometrist in private practice for 25 years. And we are not rolling in the money. The insurances pay him barely enough to cover chair cost. And the only real profit is anything he can make on frames. If you compare the quality of his frames to the Walmart ones, you can see the difference. He gives every patient the written prescription for their lens but his staff will try to show them frames. Then when people go elsewhere they want him to adjust and repair for free.

People also try to order their contacts online or by phone without the proper rechecks and follow ups. These are the only eyes you have, I wouldn't mess with them.

 

[phorsenuf]

We've gotten our glasses from Lenscrafters, Walmart and online at Zennioptical.com. Never had an issue with any of them.