Cheap Prescription Glasses Thread (as low as $19)

[Analog]

another site added.

 

[xwing777]

ordered a set of the $19 glasses for the wife and got them in about 3 weeks. Quality was good, comparable to some we paid $200 for about a year ago at the eye doctor. Nice little bonus was the cleaning cloth and hard case that came with them too.

Not a bad deal at all considering if you break them or leave them behind somewhere as it only $20.

 

[DrPizza]

Bumpety... for those whose flex plans end at the end of the year... time to order now to use up the extra dollars in the flex account.

 

[Sbrowne]

I've read through this thread, and I have a couple of comments.

I wear Transitions Quantum polycarbonate glasses, which automatically darken in sunlight. I highly recommend them if you live in a sunny climate (I live in New Mexico); one pair of glasses does all.

However, I don't see Transitions offered on the listed discount eyeglasses sites. There are also online discount LENS sites, which just provide replacement lenses. One lists a pair of Transitions lenses at $165, which is a lot less than I paid for mine.

The price of eyeglasses is partly contingent on the size of the lenses. If you want wide "director's" glasses, it's going to cost you more.

Re eyeglasses versus laser surgery: you might think back on how many times wearing glasses has saved your eyes from physical injury from flying objects etc.

Happy hunting,
Steve

 

[ichicolco]

Transitions are a waste of money. They don't get that dark outside (standard grade, didn't get the extreme). They get less dark the warmer the ambient temperature is. And they don't work in a car since they respond to UV.

I've bought from Optical4less. Great experience, albeit a two-week wait since they ship from HK.

 

[Analog]

Originally posted by: Sbrowne

Re eyeglasses versus laser surgery: you might think back on how many times wearing glasses has saved your eyes from physical injury from flying objects etc.

Happy hunting,
Steve

This is very true! I can think of at least 3 times this has happened to me personally.

 

[Analog]

here is one for contacts:

http://www.1-save-on-lens.com/

 

[huesmann]

Thanks, yellowfiero.

 

[Samus]

i shop at america's best. never disappointed, usually walk out with 2 pairs (one with with uv coating, expensive) and 2-year warranty (which i use regularely, i beat the crap out of my glasses) for <$150. The exam is thorough and the perscription is excellent.

 

[dcdomain]

Thanks for the contact lens one. Damn my torics. So expensive.

 

[VooDooAddict]

oredered 2 pair (to get free shipping) from one of the $29 places at the fisrt week of January. Still no glasses ... this a normal wait for this place? or should i start worrying?

 

[huesmann]

Usually 3-4 weeks shipped to your door.

 

[ElFenix]

i need a new pair of glasses or two... i wonder if i can use my prescription anywhere? yeah, the latest one for glasses is from 1998, but my eyes haven't changed a bit since 1994.

note to self: using an airbrush outside on a windy day is a bad idea

 

[dreamcast]

I ordered a pair of rimless from myopticals.com and the quality is defnitely much better than what I expected. Got it within 2 weeks, and I only paid 28 bucks including shipping. One drawback is that they don't have children's otherwise I could get one for my son.

 

[suspectbanana]

I went to the Lenscrafters where I got my eyes checked today and asked them to write down my perscription for me so I could order a backup pair from one of these sites. But the guy who wrote it down for me didn't specify which number is what. Can someone who ordered from one of these sites or anyone who knows about eyeglass perscriptions shoot me a PM with some help in deciphering my perscription?

The guy wrote it down like this:

(R) -2.75 -.25 020
(L) -2.5 -.25 003

Can I safely assume that the first is Spherical correction, the second number is Cylindrical and the third is Axis? I don't want to put in the wrong numbers in the wrong places and get messed up glasses! My vision is bad enough as it is. Thanks in advance.

 

[RushWilliams]

I've bought several pairs from the $39 eyeglass place for both my wife & myself. No problems. I have a pair at home, in the office & a back-up in the car glovebox. The sunglasses are pretty cool as you get to choose the tint. I have a pair of shooting glasses that are great.

I've never had a problem with them getting the prescription right (checks out fine w/my doctor's machine) and the glasses always arrived on time. Definitely better buying locally and paying 2-3 times as much.

 

[huesmann]

suspectbanana you are correct in your assumption.

 

[suspectbanana]

Originally posted by: huesmann
suspectbanana you are correct in your assumption.

Thank you huesmann. I'll be putting in an order shortly. My current glasses are so bent out of shape, I've been sticking slips of paper inbetween the earpiece hinges to get them to sit right on my face.

 

[Analog]

My turn-around was < 1 week with the $39 one. Shipped from NY state. Quality was high, couldn't be more happy.

 

[esoteric0]

i just recieved my order from 19dollareyeglasses (also known as zenni optical, the first one).

very nice, overall. bought 2 pairs of sunglasses. it took 3 weeks to get them instead of the advertised 2, but the perscriptions are right. well, i didn't have them checked, but i can see fine. also, $4.95 flat shipping, no matter how many pairs, is a good deal. can't attest to the quality since i haven't had them long, but they seem ok. thinking about ordering a backup pair of regular glasses too.

 

[sumrtym]

Someone explain this crap to me....

With a store, they take measurements of your eye centers before they order your glasses (that's not on your prescription) so that it is properly configured for your face. These on-line retailers don't do that. Think about it......

You know, my ability to see is not something I cut costs on. But that's just me. :roll:

 

[Jdogwelch]

Originally posted by: sumrtym
Someone explain this crap to me....

With a store, they take measurements of your eye centers before they order your glasses (that's not on your prescription) so that it is properly configured for your face. These on-line retailers don't do that. ....... But that's just me. :roll:

Ummmmm On both of the pairs the two different times I ordered from them I had to supply the inter-pupillary distance. Is that what you are talking about??? Did you order from them??? The glasses have been PERFECT and that is comparing them with my couple of 400 dollar pairs lying around the house.
JW

 

[JasonG]

I've had a very good experience with the "$39" place. I have a very strong prescription and got the seiko 1.67 lens. I got a pair of sunglasses for the car and they work great! Also, got them within a week!

Also, they do ask for the inter-pupillary distance (which you can get from your eye doctor or measure yourself).

They are as good (possibly better) than the ones I got from my local shop through my insurance.

Of course the cost can add up if you need thin lens and add on some options like transitions. Still alot less expensive than retail.

 

[Relayer]

I ordered the SoHo frames from 39dollarglasses.com. they are kind of small and let a lot of sun in the top. (not too bad for driving though) I just ordered some more wire framed sunglasses. I hope these work out better.

 

[HONKER24]

Originally posted by: ichicolco
Transitions are a waste of money. They don't get that dark outside (standard grade, didn't get the extreme). They get less dark the warmer the ambient temperature is. And they don't work in a car since they respond to UV.

I've bought from Optical4less. Great experience, albeit a two-week wait since they ship from HK.

So does this mean that there is a grade of Transition lenses that turn completely black in the sun?