I got new glasses. How do people afford them?

[leftyladyfrommo]

My Humana Advantage Plus paid for all but $540 of my cataract surgery. Then I needed new glasses. The exam and new prescription were covered.

$520 just for the lenses. I am keeping my old frames because they are still fine. With my insurance I paid $346.

People without eyeglass coverage are looking at close to $1,000 for a new pair of glasses.

Hearing aids are now close yo $5,000.

Wow.

[maxsolomon]

1. I go to Warby Parker

$250 if the lenses aren't fancy.

[moose65]

65. My glasses from Warby Parker were $125

I didn't get anything "fancy" like lenses that turn dark outside.

I wear contacts, but need a pair of glasses for morning/evening wear.

[JCMach1]

71. Yep... Seriously, why a doc every year ? It's a racket in this country

Most of the rest of the world, just go to optician, get measured (usually for free) pay for inexpensive frames and contacts

[Just_Vote_Dem]

2. With insurance I pay $800

Without it would be $1500. It's outrageous.

[rambler_american]

90. Warby Parker

Decent frames with graduated lenses, $250. There are others too. https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-places-to-buy-glasses-online/

[Just_Vote_Dem]

103. Thanks, I'll check it out n/t

[Demovictory9]

109. https://www.glasses.com/ and others

[StarryNite]

3. Costco

I don't remember what I paid but it was way less than that.

[Jilly_in_VA]

16. Usually where I get them

I have VSP insurance which pays for a good chunk of my annual eye exam, and I don't think I've ever paid more than $250 for my glasses---frames and all.

[Ms. Toad]

45. VSP stinks around here.

It's offered through my job, so I figured I'd just get insurance every other year (medical pays for an eye exam every other year), but the only places that glasses are covered are the incredibly expensive places. The amount I would have saved was about equal to the premium I paid - and I still would have had to pay about 4x what I would have paid at Sears/Penney's fairly regular sales where I can usually get a pair of progressives for about $100.

Unfortunately, they have now gone out of business . . . and I need new glasses. I'm dreading it.

[Silver Gaia]

83. I've gone to Costco for eyeglasses for many, many years!

They are the best and cheapest I know of, and they always have a good selection of the newest frames. Our Costco has an optometrist in-store who is very good, and not super expensive. They often have BOGO (buy one, get one) offers on frames, too. I recently got new glasses there, got 2 pairs of very nice, stylish glasses and paid in total maybe $350 (and that was without insurance!). They even remade my bifocals for free twice in each pair until they got them right. It's worth an annual membership even if that's all you use it for!

[peppertree]

86. +1

That - and their tire centers. Never looked back since.

[cinematicdiversions]

106. Same here even with very fancy lenses under $200 a pair. Nt

[Arazi]

4. I order them at Zenni.com where I've never paid more than $75

Online glasses are substantially cheaper

[piddyprints]

75. Only for single vision.

I tried doing mine there and the cost added up very fast once you start into bifocals/progressives, etc. My daughter has about 10 pairs of glasses because they are so cheap. But she doesn't need bifocals yet.

[wnylib]

82. I've considered doing that, but

how do you know that a frame will fit? I don't mean "fit" your coloring and face shape, but sit comfortably on your face? Measurements alone can't determine fit because, just as with clothing and sizes, style makes a difference with fit.

Then there are measurements that the maker of the glasses has to have. The pupilary distance (PD) should be on the doctors's script, or you can ask for it to be included. But if you have regular bifocal lenses (not the graduated or blended kind), the height from the bottom of the frame to just below your lower lid needs to be measured. At an optical store, the optician can do that measurement in person with you wearing the frame. How can you do that online? It's necessary in order to have the bifocal part of the lens sitting in the right place when you wear the glasses.

[Doodley]

5. I'm saving up for a new pair from Dollar Tree.

[dchill]

12. How much?

[Vinca]

60. LOL - thank heavens for cheap readers all over the place.

[Hortensis]

6. We send our prescriptions to an online business to do the glasses, Lefty.

I add a bunch of special features to my lenses, but they cost about $100 for them all. From there it's what I want to spend on frames (one nice, one cheap for my extra pair). My husband's lenses are much less, and he always chooses inexpensive frames.

Congrats on getting your surgery behind you. Turns out I'm going to need cataract surgery on both eyes. Had no idea that's why vision was going bad and just assumed I needed a new prescription.

[leftyladyfrommo]

13. I had to renew my driver's license. I couldn't see

well enough to pass the eye test.

I can see a lot better. Everything is si much brighter. And my night vision is much better.

[Hortensis]

35. Surprise?! Good to hear.

I didn't realize until I was told that I was seeing as if through a haze barely there. But now, recently it's progressed enough that your "after" description is sounding good. Especially the much brighter.

[leftyladyfrommo]

59. A lot of my friends have had cataract surgery and they

all have been really happy with it.

Night vision is si much better. Everything is brighter and clearer and colors are more vivid.

I didn't have a choice. I have to be able to drive for my side gig. I had to pass the test.

[Hortensis]

70. So no sitting around for you, unlike me. I had to establish

last fall with an ophthalmologist as a requirement for a medication that can harm the eyes, though. That was in the middle of a big Covid wave here, but I survived going out and being seen very up close by 4 separate people in that office. You've reminded me that I'm about due to return for a checkup, so I guess I'll ask if it's time to do one of the cataracts. Thanks.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

7. EyeBuyDirect

Disclaimer: this is not spam.

I spent New Year's Eve burning up $170 of use-it-or-lose-it money in my flexible spending account. I bought three pairs of eyeglasses online from EyeBuyDirect.

I'll leave out the link, but you can find them. There was some confusion with my prescription, but I did get the right glasses.

[vsrazdem]

92. I buy all my glasses from them.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

95. In about mid-December, I visited other places in person.

I went to a local optician. He was talking something like $400 or $500 for one pair.

Warby-Parker goes up in price quickly if you want any options.

I asked at DU. EyeBuyDirect came up, as did other names you'll see in this thread. EyeBuyDirect let me have combinations that I couldn't get elsewhere (progressive with a wedge, I think. I can't recall). IIRC, I couldn't find that available on Zenni.

So as the rest of the world was counting down. Spend the money by midnight, or it disappears. I was about to buy two pairs, when, on a whim, I went looking for an online coupon. There was one. It was good for 40% off.

I ended up with three pairs. They seem as well made as the ones I'd been buying at Kaiser-Permanente. K-P's optician shops are run by a contractor, Vision Essentials. The medical services are provided by Kaiser-Permanente staff. K-P wanted lot more for one pair than I paid for three pairs.

Again, this is not spam.

[Sogo]

8. I go to

zenni.com and have gotten very good glasses there. You have to know your prescription and PD #.
Haven't spent over $35 for any pair of glasses for years....

[milestogo]

9. I got glasses and contacts 2 years ago and spent $1000

About $700 for the glasses. I got exactly what I wanted, vowing that I would not be getting glasses again for 5 years.

[Casady1]

23. You kind of need glasses

every 2 years. Your prescription will probably change.

[milestogo]

30. I wear contacts all the time.

The glasses are really just a backup.

[Casady1]

38. If you wear hard lense they will hold your prescription

on the other hand soft lenses will not hold your prescription. I started to wear hard lenses in 1969. My doctor was famous and did the FDA approvals. When I left NY I was sent to C Edward Williams in Denver who was the best in the eleven state region and finally when I moved to Atlanta I was sent to Pomerance. At that time there was a small network of Doctors specializing in Contacts.

My current Doctor does the Atlanta Braves. He bought out Pomerance practice when he retired. His wife finished first at Contact fittings at her college. When she saw my fit she said it was the best she had ever seen. Williams was incredible. I went through 3 contacts before he had it right.

I still have the same fitting today even though since the pandemic I am hardly wearing my contacts.

Unless you are wearing hard lenses your prescription changes.

[Ms. Toad]

48. Not necessarily true.

I've had the same pair since 2014. They are just now at the point at which I need a new prescription. My spouse gets new glasses every other year - but not because her prescription changes, but because she destroys them. She used to claim it was because she wore hers all the time and I didn't. But she's lost that excuse now that I wear mine all the time and she still destroys hers.

[Casady1]

51. Okay

not necessarily true but you should have an eye examination every 2 years to check it out.

[Ms. Toad]

62. That also depends on your circumstances.

I can still pass the driver's test without glasses. I have no distance correction other than for mild astigmatism. My correction is primarily for reading and middle distance as my focal point continues to slowly grow. It is really easy to tell when it needs to be changed - my neck hurts because I'm tipping my chin higher to read the computer screen lower in the progressive area. I'm now at that stage (8 years after my last pair of new glasses).

I need an annual exam (as well as self-testing) becasue my mother and grandmother have/had hereditary macular degeneration - but not make sure my prescription hasn't changed. My spouse, on the other hand, who is severly myopic, needs much more frequent checks - although by now it is rare for her vision to change enough to change prescriptions in under 4 years.

[csziggy]

111. Watch that head tipping!

My dad refused to get anything but the cheapest bifocals for his prescription. He got to the point where he would pass out while sitting at the computer. It turned out that his eyes had changed so much he could only see the screen when his head was back as far as he could hold it - and it was cutting off the blood to his head!

My sister got him to buy new glasses and convinced him to get a pair to use at the computer. Never had that head tilting problem again.

With my vision insurance, I get a new pair of glasses every year and rotate which I replace. I have progressives for my driving around town glasses, bifocals for the computer (mid-range to see the screen, close up for the papers on the desk, needlework glasses with extra magnification, and reading glasses because I can't stand the progressives or bifocals when I am doing serious reading.

[Ms. Toad]

112. That's just the signal my vision has changed enough I need new glasses.

I've just, within the last month, started to notice neck aches a bit by hte end of the day - which prompts me to do a check to see where my chin is (which tells me that I'm using the reading area to bring the computer screen into focus.

Your vision insurance is total crap around here. It's the plan the University offers, but the in-network providers are so expensive that there is absoluely no savings (the amount extra I have to pay to use their expensive providers far exeeds any savings I receive. I signed up for it one year, expecting to get a new pair of glasses every other year. Not only didn't save anything, I had to spend a considerable amount of time searching for any reasonably priced in-network provider in order to avoid a hefty surcharge.

Progressives are the ony reason I can actually read my computer screen. My focal point is a room or two away.

[csziggy]

113. I'm getting very far sighted, too

For the last twenty years I have to tell people that if I could touch it, I can't focus on it. And it just keeps getting worse. That's why I have to get magnification for needlework and I am seriously considering getting something like the magnifiers dentists use to do the fine work I love. Here are the ones I'm considering: https://craftoptics.com/

[llmart]

107. I've never had my prescription change every two years.

and I've been wearing glasses since I was 19 and I'm now 72. You probably shouldn't make blanket statements like that.

[snowybirdie]

10. We decided not to get

an Advantage plan. $O for cataract surgery. Eyeglass World is $79 for two pairs of glasses. Extra for Bi focals and sun glass tint. They were just fine.

[oregonjen]

11. I think I read somewhere that there is only one company in Germany? that makes certain lenses

That is what is driving up the costs of glasses. I have incredibly horrible eyesight and need expensive lenses. It sucks. I can’t function in daily life without them. What’s unforgivable is insurance doesn’t cover nearly enough for exams and glasses.

Edited to add article…it’s a LONG read, but informative.
https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/may/10/the-invisible-power-of-big-glasses-eyewear-industry-essilor-luxottica

[Just_Vote_Dem]

14. That's my problem, and I feel your pain. n/t

[Casady1]

25. Get a VSP account

Read my explanation further down. I get every option at Costco and I paid $139 and $56 for my exam. My Doctor is at the top of his profession. He does the Atlanta Braves.

[nykym]

15. I needed new glasses

got the eye exam and then wanted to have the lenses replaced.
They said it cost less for a whole new pair (frames and lenses).
Go figure.

[GoodRaisin]

17. Every time I've ever asked to use my old frames the price quoted was out of sight.

So I always end up picking a new frame from the cheap rack. Generally can find a deal for ~ $100 - $150 for a complete pair of glasses including progressive lenses.

[Casady1]

18. Costco and VSP

I have a VSP account. I run it through my business. I pay $26.00 a month for 2 people. Newg fames every 2 years. You can get a higher level that provides new frames every year.

Costco is not even a "preferred" vendor.

My eye Doctor does the Atlanta Braves. He straightened out Brian McCann's coning of his eyes.

I am his oldest client in terms of longevity.

I paid $56.00 for my exam and $139 for my glasses.

My frames were the same as the ones I currently use. It is a Diesel.

I got transition (gets darker in sunlight)with the thinner option (1.67). Standard is 1.60. My correction is .925 in the left eye and 10.00 in the right eye.so I need the thinner option. The sides are polished so they appear thinner. I also got progressive as I need that.

I got every option and my glasses cost $139. I get them next week.

[oregonjen]

27. Thanks for the info! Your prescription needs are just like mine

[Hortensis]

37. Those sound like my options also. I considered Costco

because of the good reviews, but since the nearest is an hour away we don't have a membership, and didn't get one. Otherwise...

[Casady1]

40. The eyeglasses are worth the membership

You need in person to set up the center of your eye to the center of the frame. I don't know how anyone gets glasses by mail. This is an important function of in-person visit.
There is one thinner option which is 1.74 but those are super expensive and Costco doesn't carry that.

[Hortensis]

49. Good for pointing that out. That measurement is not part of

the basic lens prescription because it depends on the frames. In eyeglass shops, the counter person measures it. On line you follow the instructions once you've chosen a frame. My husband is competent in general at things requiring a little precision and care and did it both times.

[Scrivener7]

19. Eyebuy Direct. Great company, great return policy, great customer service. My glasses, all in,

tend to cost about $80 or $90.

[leftyladyfrommo]

20. My eyesight is really bad. My eyes are 20/800

with astigmatism. I have to get good glasses.

These should last at least a couple of years. It was the cataracts that were messing me up.

I have anout 60% hearing loss with pretty bad tinnitus. I read lips a lot. I can't afford hearing aids.

[Casady1]

28. My vision is about the same

I am 9.25 in the left eye and 10.00 in the right. My doctor is at the top of his profession. He does the Atlanta Braves.

i have VSP insurance. I paid $56 for my exam and $139 for glasses at costco and I got every option(Progressive, transition, polished, antiscratch and the thinner option (1.67). My glasses cost $139.

[babylonsister]

31. I had cataract surgery on one eye,

my good one, last September. Because of astigmatism which that eye doc didn't address, I got a prescription that more resembled a magnifying glass. NOT the result of cataract surgery I was hoping for.
Went back to a different doc this year and he was appalled at that prescription. A few weeks ago I had a procedure called LRI, or limball relaxing incision. The doc made incisions in my cornea to relax/flatten it and reduce the astigmatism. I can't speak to final result yet, but am hopeful. Supposed to make my vision more precise and prescription less intense.

[Hortensis]

44. We're trying to add hearing and vision coverage to Medicare,

of course. i just checked, and they would both become available "over the next two years." (Dental's a lot more expensive to fund, and they're talking 2028 for that to become effective.)

But hearing aids -- don't know how far out you are from Medicare, and two years is a wait, but still. Finally!
(Don't think we'll be buying stock in the bandits currently controlling the hearing aid market. )

[leftyladyfrommo]

50. I am on Medicare.

Teeth are way too expensive. I go to the dental school.

[Hortensis]

55. So, maybe two years...? Hearing aids are getting better too.

Used to be we knew no one who'd wear theirs.

Teeth... We really could use coverage a lot sooner also.

[Casady1]

53. VSP

is pretty cheap and does a great job.

[Hortensis]

58. Thanks, Casady!

[Casady1]

61. I pay $26

a month for 2 people. We get new frames every 2 years. I just got an exam for $56. and normally it is $300. My Doctor is at the top of the food chain. He does the Atlanta Braves . My glasses were $139 at Costco and I got every option.

[Hortensis]

69. Sounds like it's well worth it. Especially a good eye doc.

[Jilly_in_VA]

101. I just lost my eye doc

I used to drive an hour to see him but it was worth it. My husband had been going to him for 18 years. He was initially in private practice, then he went in with a corporation but he was like a senior partner and could dictate when he wanted to come in and which office he wanted to be in. He opened 2 new offices for them and is now 2 hours away. Not driving that far even for him. I'm looking for another one. I have to be really picky because I have astigmatism in one eye only and I've had shingles in one eye. I used to wear soft contacts which I loved but finally stopped a couple of years ago after I got one stuck in the eye that had shingles. It was a nightmare getting it out and that was the end of that. (The ophthalmologist I saw for the shingle aftermath, an hour away in another direction, had actually recommended I stick with them, but I couldn't after that experience.)

[Hortensis]

105. Shingles in an eye, Jilly? Oh my! My husband has had trigeminal neuralgia

flares 3 times, and they were severely painful and scary without that nightmare. He just said omigod three times when I told him. Hope you find a terrific doc soon. Maybe keep your good one as a backup until then?

[Sympthsical]

21. I use Zenni Optical

Online site. I have my prescription and sizing.

I wear contacts typically. But at night sometimes I want glasses.

$30 or so last time I got a pair.

[Casady1]

42. How do they do

center of eye to center of frame?

[Sympthsical]

46. You get this little measuring stick

That measures pupil distance in millimeters.

If you don't already have one, most glasses places will. It's just a little strip of plastic.

I've been using Zenni for years, so I have my sizing on file.

[Casady1]

47. I'm a little chicken to trust myself

so I use Costco.

[Sympthsical]

85. Costco will have them

And they're super nice about things. I bet they'd even help you measure your distance.

It's just two numbers you include in the order form (as we're not all 100% symmetrical).

Next time you're there and it's not busy, just ask.

For DYI, you just look through the stick in the mirror, and you can see where your pupil is. It's really straightforward.

[SharonClark]

22. I go to local service providers.

Test at one was $85, glasses at another were $550 including clip on shades. Paid with my HSA.

How do people afford them? They don't pay $520 for lenses only, they work, and they save money.

[Greybnk48]

24. Zenni optical. I've never paid over $120.

Last edited Fri Sep 10, 2021, 02:19 PM - Edit history (1)

I have a terrible astigmatism, i get progressive lenses, and my last pair had the transition lenses so I didn't need sunglasses. I can get them less expensive from Zenni if I don't get the transition lenses.

I've tried eyebuy direct, and they were $300. Not happy with them at all. Back to Zenni for good.

FYI: It's easy to order the glasses. Just type in your prescription on the order form in the right squares. You'll need to determine you PD (pupil distance) at home. That's easy as well. Watch the videos on the Zenni site or on youtube. Zenni will send you a little ruler too if you want.

I've gotten three pair from them and couldn't be happier. AND paid I less for the three pair than I've paid for one in the past.

[Ferrets are Cool]

32. I love Zinni.

I've never been disappointed in their product. I cannot, however, wear progressive lenses. I just can't get used to them.

I have bad astigmatism also, but evidently my eye doctor doesn't make my prescription using those parameters. Is it something you have to demand of the optometrist?

[TimeToGo]

80. Me too

[Greybnk48]

94. I don't know if it makes a difference,

but I see an Ophthalmologist (an MD or medical eye doctor) because I have type 2 diabetes.

My doctor told me not to see an optometrist anymore when I was diagnosed.

As far as I know my prescription is for astigmatism too. In the past he's cautioned that the cheap (but really cute) readers I buy at Michaels don't correct my astigmatism, but my glasses do.

[Ferrets are Cool]

110. Thanks

[IbogaProject]

26. Monoply price

One guy from Italy controls 80% of retail and wholesale. Way overpriced.

I use Zenni. Much better value. You need prescription. & PD pupilary distance. And a few facial measurements.

[Ferrets are Cool]

29. Zinni

[Mad_Machine76]

33. Hear ya

Also feel same about dental care.

[UpInArms]

34. I use a "CareCredit" card

That charges 0% interest for 6 months and pay it out before that time …

[CurtEastPoint]

36. ONE COMPANY RUNS IT ALL! Here's why they are so $$$$$$$$$.

https://www.cbc.ca/radio/costofliving/the-cost-of-living-on-the-cost-of-stuff-payday-loans-baby-formula-glasses-and-modern-monetary-theory-1.5715939/wondering-why-your-glasses-are-so-pricey-one-company-controls-almost-everything-about-them-1.5721176

[Casady1]

56. Costco has it's own lab

for producing lenses and frames can be pretty inexpensive. I got Diesel's for $75 and that was before insurance.

[MissMillie]

39. I don't know how anyone affords medical care anymore

Even the cost of insurance is prohibitive for a lot of people--Miedicare included.

Our household does not have the ability to cover the $100+ per month to get me covered under Medicare expansion. And even if we did, we'd still have to come up with a bunch of money for stuff it doesn't cover.

[Sibelius Fan]

41. My Kaiser Advantage provides $300+ every two years for an eye exam

and new glasses. I’m usually able to get two pair of non-designer frames for less than $25 out of pocket.

[leftyladyfrommo]

54. Some of the frames are outrageous.

There was nothing wrong with my frames so I just kept those.

I think the cataract surgery was worth it. Once I get my new glasses I will be able to see a whole lot better.

If the cataracts get bad enough they can't correct your vision very well.

[Nictuku]

43. It is a racket

You can get a pair of cheaters for $13.00.

My glasses cost over $500, closer to $700, but with my insurance, I only paid $28.00. It is a racket.

[XanaDUer2]

52. CostCo

I get the Kirkland brand. Whole thing about $120.

Wal-mart has frames for even less.

[sarcasmo]

57. A Costco membership is worth every penny, checkout Costco optical.

https://www.costco.com/optical.html

[left-of-center2012]

63. "$1,000 for a new pair of glasses"

Seriously ?

I got two pair of bifocal glasses, new lenses and frames, for about $300 total.
One a regular prescription and one in sunglasses.

Went to a 'national chain' store here in Albuquerque -- Eyemart Express.
They have 230 locations across 42 states.

[Doremus]

64. I get my exam from a fantastic Costco optometrist and order my glasses online from Zinni.com

My last pair of glasses was less than $100 using the above method.

I've also purchased in-person from America's Best, which charges $69.99 for 2 pairs of glasses and an exam.

Shop around. There's a big disparity in prices.

ETA: I don't even bother with the lousy Medicare secondary insurance from United Healthcare.

[leftyladyfrommo]

66. I didn't know you can buy insurance for glasses.

I have just had Medicare and I don't think they used to cover glasses at all.

Humana paid over $100 my last glasses. They have changed it to $50 plus 20%.

[Nay]

67. May I ask which cataract lenses you got? I'm going in for cataract surgery and

can't decide whether to take the regular Medicare lenses or opt for a more expensive upgrade. A number of people I know weren't happy with their expensive upgrades.

[leftyladyfrommo]

97. I got Intraocular Lens.

I had a choice between being able to see distance clearly or being able to see close up clearly.

I chose close up and glasses for distance because I read a lot and I don't want to wear glasses when I read.

[Nay]

114. Thank you.

[madville]

68. I used to get my covered exam and then use Eyebuydirect.com

You simply enter your prescription numbers on the website.

My current insurance covers exams and lenses 100% and I believe $200 towards frames a year. I got a a nice set of sunglasses last year and a regular set, think I was only $100 out of pocket because I got some sunglass frames I really liked.

[piddyprints]

72. VSP for us.

We have an individual plan that's actually better than any plan we've ever had. We pay $58.40/month that covers both of us. We can each get an eye exam and glasses once/year. I get the works on my glasses: new frame, progressive lenses, transitions, anti-glare, scratch-coated, and whatever else they have. My doctor's office is very good about helping me stay within my frame allowance. So normally I end up paying somewhere around $200 for everything, including the exam. The only thing that's not covered is the $20 picture you can get instead of dilation.

Depending on the plan, you can still pay a lot, even with coverage. I've paid up to $900 with insurance before.

The biggest headache is getting my husband to actually use the benefit we're paying for. Getting him to go every year or even every other year is like pushing a rope. He did finally go this month and paid about $157 for everything, including the $20 picture.

There was a documentary out there several years ago about the Luxotica monopoly that drives up the price of our eyeglasses.

I personally think all glasses should be free, along with hearing aids, dental, medical ... everything.

[JCMach1]

73. So yeah Warby for glasses and I order contacts outside USA

[JuJuChen]

74. mine pays for a free pair every year so I have several for any reason

[topcelts]

76. A little less expensive option

I generally don't promote companies or corporations but at COSTCO I paid $286.00 for transition eyeglasses and $1700.00 for hearing aids.

[ramapo]

77. It's such a scam

The markup is unbelievable… should be criminal. It’s pretty much a monopoly too

[yaesu]

78. My last glasses I bought online and a pair cost $24 shipped, surprisingly they had quite

a large selection of frames. But, no fitting & you have to do the measurements between the eye centers.

[Taraman]

79. I buy progressive lens glasses online

I liked Firmoo best, with Zenni and EyeBuyDirect following. Costco has good quality, too, but cost more.

Look for coupons. I paid about $80 for Firmoo progressive lens aviators with transitions (i.e. go dark in the sun). First pair wasn't quite right and they made good. Manufactured in China, like many of the online companies.

[dlk]

81. Glasses, especially frames have an enormous markup

The frames that retail for hundreds of dollars cost around $20.

If you have a membership or know someone who does, Costco has the best prices.

[dreamland]

84. It's getting cheaper

Spent years paying close to $600 for my glasses at the local eyeglass store, then the eye doctor left. He joined an eye Dr group which ended costing us close to $1000 because the medical group had charged more overhead -for the exam and glasses in-house. Found cheaper eye doctor at BJs warehouse and glasses were cheaper at $350 a pair. Then that eye doctor left, so had a prescription and went with Zenni. Way cheaper, now that I'm paying around $100 a pair with all the bells and whistles.

[48656c6c6f20]

87. I feel your pain

My average out of pocket for glasses with insurance is about 1400 per pair. Granted I do get glasses that are fashionable. But damn..

[diane in sf]

88. Got an exam at Costco and ordered glasses online from firmoo.com using the Costco prescription.

[DFW]

89. My employer offers Humana, or rather, "Inhumana."

Of all my medical bills, whether dental or optical, they have denied EVERY CENT OF EVERY CLAIM. It doesn’t matter whether here in Germany or back in Dallas. My bills/claims are denied—routinely and universally. To live here (Germany), I must have some form of health insurance, and the $35,000 a year I was quoted for German insurance I found a little pricey. Since my employer is in the USA, and I am paid there, the Germans, in essence, offered me $35,000 a year gor the right to submit bills that I am supposed to pay up front, and they will reimburse what they feel like when they feel like it. But Humana? They reimburse every claim except those that require them to pay money.

[JT45242]

91. depends on whether or not you need progressive lenses

Places liek Walmart, Meijer, Costco can be inexpensive places to get glasses.

Dcotors offices tend to have larger mark up, because glasses are high profit.

If you don't need progressive lenses and don't opt for transition lenses, you can be pretty cheap out the door. Even with progressives, got a new pair for college age son for about $100 out the door at Walmart. ($70 was for the transition lens)

Now, if you have horrible astigmatism and need progressives like my wife, the lenses cost crazy amounts of money.

[helpisontheway]

93. We just purchased new glasses. We have VSP vision insurance

I have a lot of astigmatism and need a bifocal (use progressive lense). The insurance covered my frame cost except for $16. However, my out of pocket total was still $255. My husband does not have a strong prescription (but he does have a progressive lense) so his out of pocket was $105. So our total for $360 for both prescriptions. We just paid $180 out of pocket for our son last month (before he left for college).

[Silent3]

96. Hearing aids in particular are a big scam

The technology in cell phones and wireless earbuds and the like now far eclipses what it takes to make a hearing aid, yet those other things are far, far cheaper.

[TxGuitar]

98. Eyebuydirect.com

Last edited Sat Sep 11, 2021, 12:09 PM - Edit history (1)

Paid $178 for nice frames, progressive lenses (no line bifocals basically) and UV protection. My lenses are -6.75 so not really too bad, so I guess if a person's eyes are worse than that the lenses may be more.

Sorry my wife tells we paid 356.80 for two pairs of no line progressive bifocals. So about 178 for each

[tenderfoot]

99. I had to get 3 pairs with a new prescription... paid through the nose

However, when I added up what I would have paid with insurance that would have been deducted from my weekly paycheck, I actually saved $600!

[msongs]

100. shop around, that's way too high. even in hawaii mine cost less than half that nt

[Jilly_in_VA]

102. This whole discussion

should be a reminder of why we need to push for SINGLE PAYER HEALTH INSURANCE FOR EVERYONE, which should include medical care, dental care, optical care, and hearing care. I don't care if you call it Medicare or what. Just push for it.

[leftyladyfrommo]

104. I agree with you. nt

[Demovictory9]

108. employer VSP covers most of that. without insurance, if you have the prescription online companies

make them for very cheap... like https://www.glasses.com/