Optical shop vs. Wal-Mart/Target/etc. for my toddler's glasses

[LoveBWVVBR]

Our 2 year-old is going to need glasses shortly. We won't have her perscription until she undergoes an eye exam under sedation (long story, uncooperative toddler!) Anyways, The eye Dr. has an optical shop attached to his office of course I'm sure that the glasses there are like $300, and they're not covered by our insurance at all. He makes this big deal about "proper fit," etc., but to me it feels like pressure to buy from this (overpriced, IMHO) optical shop. I've had Wal-Mart's optical shop make my glasses plenty of times, and I've bought my frames there too. I've never had an issue with the fit. Am I out-of-line thinking that I should go there to get our toddler's glasses made? I just can't see spending $300 at the optical shop for something that she'll probably end up needing replaced fairly shortly due to growth/breakage/who-knows-what-else. Is the fit just as good if they come from somewhere like Wal-Mart or Target optical? Thanks for any opinions!

 

[dancingdisneygirl]

I got a pair of regular glasses and prescription sunglasses from Target. They were great. The associates were super nice and didn't pressure anything on me at all. I'd recommend them.

 

[ajk912]

We went to the optical shop and got the flexible frames, I don't remember the name of them. The ones you can basically bend in half. Well, my son STILL managed to beat them up and break at least 5 times. But, since we bought them at the optical shop, they have a LIFETIME yes LIFETIME warranty. So they just order us a new pair. Sure, we have to put new lenses in them every few years..but the frames are well worth the cost. Especially since ds has bifocals. (no line ones, though) so it's VERY important that his glasses fit right. I see a lot of kids, especially toddlers, whose glassses don't fit right because they are always sliding down their noses. I would pay the extra, it will be worth it!

 

[2Kds2K9]

If one is close by, check BJ's. They offer a package for $88 for complete glasses for kids. Great deal!

Good luck!

Leigh

 

[bamagirl@hrt]

My husband is an optometrist, and at his office, they offer special packages for kids' glasses. For around $100, they get the glasses and a 2 year warranty. I wouldn't always assume that the doctor's optical is more expensive than Wal-Mart. Unless your child has a vision problem that requires something special, $300 is a lot for toddler glasses.

 

[Darcy03231]

The optical shop at our local JC Penney has a special this week. 2 pair of glasses for $129.

 

[rentayenta]

We have been to both Target and Walmart for our DD's glasses. We got her a great pair of Hannah Montana glasses with eye exam for under $100 at Walmart. About 6 months after she got them she broke a lense and bent the frame and they replaced them for free!

 

[NHDisneyMom]

My DS 4 wears glasses and has since he was 18 months old. We went with the flexible frames - Nike Flexon - from the optical store connected to his Dr. He has also managed to break them 4 times and each time they have replaced them for free. When he scratched his lenses - after an unfortunate scooter incident - they replaced those for free as well. My husband and I get our glasses at Costco. They have the same kid frames and I asked them about their warranty and they said we would have had to pay for new frames for our son. It was worth paying the higher cost up front as DS is an active 4 year old and tough on his glasses. What it would have cost me to buy the cheaper ones over and over would equal if not exceed what we paid at the optical store.

 

[5 Disney Fans]

From my experience with my DD who has been in glasses since age 18 months, you might want to get the first pair from your eye doctor. My DD is 3 now and still has her baby face. It is very difficult to fit a young child when there is not much of a bridge to the nose and the checks are still round. Proper fit is very important! She has the kind that wrap around her ears to hold them on and I take her back every so often to get them readjusted so she isn't looking over her glasses. He didn't take our insurance either (actually our insurance didn't cover children under 2 ) but for her second pair we submitted the paperwork ourselves and got some money back. She wears Disney Cinderella glasses I actually tried to go to a few of the chain places and I couldn't find a pair for her age group and I didn't want to put her in frames that were too old for her and ill-fitting

My son was 6 before he needed glasses and I did go for an inexpensive pair with the best warrantee for him b/c he is easier to fit. But IMO for the REALLY young ones your money is well spent getting her fitted with a set of frames made for her.

 

[here757]

i got my 5 year old a pair from wally mart.. 3 weeks later they got ran over.. LOL he took them off and left them in the street. i didnt think there was anything that could be done.. i took them to walmart to be fixd. i admited thet had been run over and they replaced them for free!!!!!!
i orgnally paid 38 for the frames and 65 for the lens.
i think it might vary depends how fancy they are

 

[LisaNJ25]

I get my kids at Walmart. The year warranty is also a lifesaver. Its only a few extra bucks .

 

[tiggerfan4me]

Wherever you get them make sure they have good warranties on them as kids are hard on glasses. My son was four when he first got them and it is tough. A lot of optical shops are very competitive in pricing as they have to be and you often have an ophthalmologist in the office as well if the need arises. Lots of luck. Check out your options and do some price shopping and what you are actually getting for your dollar. I work for ophthalmologists and we do a print out of cost of glasses at some local competitors and we are right there with them, and the quality to me seems better. I have purchased some from some of the optical shops in the past and not had as good wear with them, but like I said do some shopping around and speak to others who have purchased glasses for children in your area. They can give you the best advice.