Prescription Sunglasses - Online?

[indimom]

Thanks for starting this thread, OP.
I'm having the same issue. DD requires polarized and uv-protected sunglasses any time she is outside. We invested in a good pair of Oakley's a couple years ago and that worked out well. They are very durable and comfortable and do the job we need them for.

Just recently, she has started wearing a light prescription for her vision. We bought clip-on sunglasses from her eye doctor so she would have sun protection and anti-glare while driving with her glasses. Well, the clip-ons are junk. Two broken pairs in a matter of months. I'm out $80 for nothing. Grrr.

I thought I would just buy prescription lenses for the Oakleys. Well, I got a quote yesterday... $350 for just the lenses! Yikes! I just can't afford to pay that every year if her prescription changes.

I like the sound of these prices, but I want to make sure they will have polarization and full uv protection. Honestly, that's more important than her wearing her eyeglasses to drive, but I really would like her to have BOTH options.

So, does anyone know for sure? I tried to check on the websites and saw an option for "anti-glare" on one, but I need to know if it's as good as the name brand options.

Does anyone have any other suggestions??

 

[Cheshire Figment]

They don't tell you this, but most opticians will sell you lenses only. I have done this at both LensCrafters and Costco. At Costco they charge the lens price plus $18 per pair and their prices are much lower than LC. The only problem is you need to have two pair, as the work is all done in a central location and it takes about a week until you get the glasses back.

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

I have ordered from zenni before with great results as has my brother. They are cheap enough they are far from taking a huge chance IMO.

My eye insurance only covers contacts or glasses, not both so I order the contacts through my eye doctor's office and get a cheap pair of glasses from zenni. The last time I ordered I got a pair of glasses and prescription sunglasses for less than $30 shipped.

They have the ability to upload a picture of yourself and "try" on the different styles before ordering but even if they come and you don't like them, you are not out much and can order many more pairs before coming close to the cost of one pair at the doctor's office.

 

[Colleen27]

I've used Zenni with excellent results as well. Both of my kids' prescription sunglasses and my DD's backup glasses come from them and I love that at their prices it isn't a major stress/expense if someone breaks or loses a pair. We get their everyday glasses through the eye doctor we use, but since insurance only covers the one pair I'm all about cheap for the extras.

 

[Colleen27]

I am an optician and the markup is NOT 1800%. Quality and service cost money. Part of purchasing your glasses at a privately owned office is getting good service including free adjustments, nose pad replacements and a 2 year warranty. And if you are from a small town like I am it gives good jobs to people, like myself, and keeps money in the local economy where the owners shop and give back.
If you needed a cast for an arm or a leg would you buy it online or let a trained professional fit you and take the precise measurements you need.

I both agree and disagree. I wouldn't get my family's primary glasses from Zenni for all the reasons you mention but my thinking is entirely different for occasional use/extra pairs. Everyone gets one nice pair of glasses from the optician, with our insurance offsetting the cost, but when my quirky DD wants an off-the-wall style as an extra pair or my son needs prescription sports goggles for football or we get to thinking prescription sunglasses would be better than dealing with clip-ons, cheap works just fine.

 

[Melynny]

I have purchased from Zenni and from Coastal. I measured some frames that I knew fit perfectly, then used those measurements as a "guide" for frames that I thought I would like. I ordered 3 from Zenni, all fit, the prescription was correct and the quality was pretty good ( I ordered the absolutely least expensive frames they had just to try them out). My Coastal glasses, were a bit more expensive, and same as Zenni, they fit perfectly, have the correct prescription but these were slightly more stylish and had a more quality feel. I wear the Coastals as my every day...I would not hesitate buying from either again. By the way, shipping was pretty quick and the communication was great with both companies.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

It's not dentistry or medicine... it's a fitting of a manufactured product that has such a high markup that it becomes unaffordable for many people, especially now that Flex spending account limits will be cut in half for 2013.

I am all for spending money locally and supporting local businesses when it's a few dollars more than online or the monster chain store... but not when it's hundreds of dollars difference for the same quality and precision.

I am an optician and the markup is NOT 1800%. Quality and service cost money. Part of purchasing your glasses at a privately owned office is getting good service including free adjustments, nose pad replacements and a 2 year warranty. And if you are from a small town like I am it gives good jobs to people, like myself, and keeps money in the local economy where the owners shop and give back.
If you needed a cast for an arm or a leg would you buy it online or let a trained professional fit you and take the precise measurements you need.

 

[mcgrawfan]

It's not dentistry or medicine... it's a fitting of a manufactured product that has such a high markup that it becomes unaffordable for many people, especially now that Flex spending account limits will be cut in half for 2013.

I am all for spending money locally and supporting local businesses when it's a few dollars more than online or the monster chain store... but not when it's hundreds of dollars difference for the same quality and precision.

It is a medical device. If you were on this side of it and could see the complaints from patients that buy cheap frames and lenses and try to adjust ill fitting frames maybe you would understand.
Also it is NOT the same precision at all especially when dealing with progressive lenses (no line bifocal)
I see that you don't understand my point of view, fine if you all want to buy cheap glasses, but don't discount my industry.

 

[pershing]

Thank you for the advice.

I lost my very expensive lenscrafter eye glasses and am using my glasses from before the lost pair. I haven't been able to afford to replace the lost ones (at lenscrafters) and this will be great until I can get an appointment with an optician who accepts Masshealth.

Yes, the joys of Affordable Health Care means long lines of waiting for doctor/optician etc appointments! The glasses are covered also but the selection is limited. Very limited!

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Of course I understand your point of view; I simply don't agree with it. Most opticians send out the 'medical' work to labs where the actual lens grinding is performed. Same labs that perform the work when I order online. At that point an optician is just heating and further fitting frames to a person. I agree that some people need an optician's advice and assistance. I don't happen to be one of those people and I get my progressive lenses and glasses for a much lower cost. Like I said, before I ordered them I wondered about the precision and quality in comparison with the glasses I purchased through an optician. Many pairs and prescriptions later... I can attest there is ZERO difference.

I understand that pushing designer frames is a moneymaker for you and your industry. I know your frame suppliers give you charts about increasing your profits by pushing certain frames over others. It's a business. We get that.

It is a medical device. If you were on this side of it and could see the complaints from patients that buy cheap frames and lenses and try to adjust ill fitting frames maybe you would understand.
Also it is NOT the same precision at all especially when dealing with progressive lenses (no line bifocal)
I see that you don't understand my point of view, fine if you all want to buy cheap glasses, but don't discount my industry.

 

[mcgrawfan]

Of course I understand your point of view; I simply don't agree with it. Most opticians send out the 'medical' work to labs where the actual lens grinding is performed. Same labs that perform the work when I order online. At that point an optician is just heating and further fitting frames to a person. I agree that some people need an optician's advice and assistance. I don't happen to be one of those people and I get my progressive lenses and glasses for a much lower cost. Like I said, before I ordered them I wondered about the precision and quality in comparison with the glasses I purchased through an optician. Many pairs and prescriptions later... I can attest there is ZERO difference.

I understand that pushing designer frames is a moneymaker for you and your industry. I know your frame suppliers give you charts about increasing your profits by pushing certain frames over others. It's a business. We get that.

This is my last reply. After this I am done. Just want to make it clear that at our office it is about our patients best interest and that is what makes our practice so successful. We get no "charts" from any of our many frame manufactures about increasing profits selling certain frames. I am sorry that you have never experienced the care we give to our patients to have such a negative view on eye care and quality glasses. It is also not the same labs being used. Our lab is one of the top 3 in the country and they are not making lenses for the websites.

As a side note people should make sure to give their eye care professional an opportunity to sell the more inexpensive glasses to you. They may have a great selection of quality budget frames and lenses. Never know if you dont ask.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Thank you for your last reply. I do appreciate knowing in advance I'll have the last word. In my industry that's a rare occurence.

I already said there are many people who benefit from the advice and services of an optician. It's a valuable service and I'm sure you have an amazing practice. No one is accusing you of not caring for your patients, but your livelihood and that of your employees depends on how much you can produce. True of any profession. I'm sure your practice did not become successful by ignoring the business aspect of it. And yes, suppliers DO create and distribute profit charts. Probably why the least expensive frames aren't featured prominently on display and the real work is farmed out.

The bottom line is when it comes to eyewear the optician's overhead is part of that ridiculously high markup. Don't criticize people for not wanting to pay more for that part of the cost they may not find valuable. Caring about people means you're happy they sought treatment and care even if you're not the one supplying it.

This is my last reply. After this I am done. Just want to make it clear that at our office it is about our patients best interest and that is what makes our practice so successful. We get no "charts" from any of our many frame manufactures about increasing profits selling certain frames. I am sorry that you have never experienced the care we give to our patients to have such a negative view on eye care and quality glasses. It is also not the same labs being used. Our lab is one of the top 3 in the country and they are not making lenses for the websites.

As a side note people should make sure to give their eye care professional an opportunity to sell the more inexpensive glasses to you. They may have a great selection of quality budget frames and lenses. Never know if you dont ask.

 

[runui]

I was very impressed with the first pair I ordered from Zenni Optical. They were beautifully made and fit me perfectly. Just placed the second order since they are doing Buy One Get One Half off sale. Cannot wait to receive them!

 

[paysensmom]

Is it buy one get one of their preselected frames or buy one and get ANY one 50% off?