Glasses & Lens - best online prices?

[csmommy]

Hi all - I need progressive lenses. Anyone know good, online, low price, sources? I will also need frames, but figure those are easier to find.

 

[firefly_ris]

I haven't used them yet (I plan to soon), but my BIL recommended http://www.zennioptical.com/ to me.

 

[mousehockey37]

If you're using vision insurance through your employer, they set the price at what you will pay for progressives. It doesn't matter where you go, it'll be roughly the same everywhere... Frames are cheap, lenses not so much... thanks insurance, lol.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I don't mean this wrong, but I just don't understand. Why do you NEED progressive lenses? I thought progressive lenses were just a more expensive and better looking form of bifocals. Both DH and myself need bifocals. I bought regular bifocals. He chose to treat himself (at least that's what I thought about progressives) and spend the extra money for progressives. Maybe I don't understand something about progressives.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

Paying OOP with Zenni costs me far, far less than using Vision insurance and the glasses are great. I've been ordering with them for years and love my glasses from them.

There is a huge difference between progressive lenses and bifocals, although I can understand why someone might think they are the same, just pricier for progressives, if they don't have a big need for both types of lens. Bifocals are essentially just reading glasses plonked onto your regular glasses. Progressives have a smooth transition between the lens types, so there's no "vision jump" and it is easier for the eyes to focus between close and far objects. I consider my progressives a need, not a want.

 

[Ranger111]

On my third pair of progressives in about 6 years, still can't get used to them -- find myself looking over the tops of my glasses to see small items.

But, my Opthalmologist refuses to prescribe bi-focals. Not worth fighting with her about it.

 

[queenbetsey]

I also wear progressive lenses and
even with insurance they are pricey But I was able to find them at jc penny's . Not online but the thing is it was cheaper to pay cash than use my insurance. at JC penny's they run sale even s pretty often also check your Sunday paper for coupons,got 2 pairs progressive lenses for 149$ got one of them with the lenses that turn dark when outside. cheaper than using my insurance anywhere else. Penny's included the progressive lenses in the sale.

 

[My3Princez]

zenni optical online. I've ordered no fewer than a dozen pairs for my mom and others. Best deal around, and not one complaint from the ones who ordered the glasses. My mom's glasses would cost in the $600 range at the office (using insurance). They were always less than $100 from zenni - frames & ultra-lightweght, photochromatic, progressive lenses.

 

[Eastern]

zenni optical online. I've ordered no fewer than a dozen pairs for my mom and others. Best deal around, and not one complaint from the ones who ordered the glasses. My mom's glasses would cost in the $600 range at the office (using insurance). They were always less than $100 from zenni - frames & ultra-lightweght, photochromatic, progressive lenses.

Did you measure your own pupillary distance? I'm in NJ and the optometrists/doctors are not required to provide it to you.

 

[davper]

If you avoid Luxottica owned retail establishments and brands, you should be able to find good deals. Luxottica has created monopolies in the market where they control every aspect of eyewear. From the insurance to the optometrist to the retail store.
Places to avoid:
Lenscrafters
Glasses.com
Pearl Vision
Sears Optical
TargetOptical
David Clulow
Sunglass Hut
Laubman & Pank
Iloro
GMO
OPSM

 

[My3Princez]

Did you measure your own pupillary distance? I'm in NJ and the optometrists/doctors are not required to provide it to you.

I've done both. Zenni sends a measuring ruler when they send an order, so I've gotten several of them. Generally, we have been able to get it from the office. Sometimes there is a small fee. Sometimes free and just sign a form acknowledging that you won't hold the office liable if you order glasses elsewhere and they do not work. Sometimes, I just look over the shoulder of the tech at Walmart when they measure my kid's pd. It can be tricky with bifocals though. I prefer to get it from a professional. Adult pd's don't change generally, so once you get a good one, you can use it in future years.

 

[disneychrista]

If you're using vision insurance through your employer, they set the price at what you will pay for progressives. It doesn't matter where you go, it'll be roughly the same everywhere...

Not necessarily true. My vision insurance is a reimbursement plan. They will cover a set amount for frames & a set amount for lenses. I pay for them and send in a claim form to get reimbursed.

 

[elaine amj]

I convinced my DH to spring for the much pricier progressives when he found out he needed bifocals (the progressives were a couple hundred dollars more than our insurance covered). 2 years later, he still lifts his glasses to read. Not happy that we spent the extra money for nothing.