Anyone with glasses ever buy only the lenses? Was it expensive?

[tjdee]

Going to the eye doc Thursday, and I'd hate to pay for new frames, plus they do the job fine...

I asked if I could just buy the lenses, and the receptionist said yes--I'm just curious if anyone's done it, how much it cost you, etc.

[democracyindanger]

1. yes

it should be cheaper, because you're not paying for the frames. How much cheaper depends on how much you paid for your frames.

[tjdee]

3. That's what I thought--

I googled a few minutes ago, and one site said that they cost you more (than they should) because they prefer you to spend more money buying the whole package.

Even so, I guess you're right, they'd be cheaper.

My good lookin' black frames cost...about 80 bucks I think. Cheapest pair I ever got, I think...

[cruadin]

2. I've done it. It was about 60% of what a whole new pair of glasses...

would have cost me.

[tjdee]

4. Ooh, thanks!

That makes sense, since the lenses are the main thing.

Thank you!

[Taxloss]

5. No, but they kept falling off my nose.

Sorry, had to.

:D

[lojasmo]

6. It's cheap.

You just need to make sure you visit a shop that can order the right lenses.

[cally]

7. I have

at some places it was much cheaper and at others it wasn't much less. You need to shop around. I've been tempted to check the internet for glasses but I haven't done it yet.

[pnorman]

8. There seems to be a LOT of different sizes for lenses,

and their accompanying frames. I'm told that some may be discontinued or at least be difficult to order. Otherwise, that would be the way to go, especially since good frames are so damn EXPENSIVE.

In my own case, I didn't start wearing glasses (reading glasses) until my mid 40s, and absent a nagging parent, I developed poor eyeglass habits right off. I generally read myself to sleep, and have damaged or wrecked quite a few frames in the past 30 years. I'm constantly coming in for "body & fender work". So about half of the time, I HAVE get new frames for the old lenses. My diopter # has pretty well stabilized by now, so generally the old lenses are satisfactory.

pnorman

[bikebloke]

9. Been recycling frames for years

They use the frames when making up new lenses. If you only have one pair of specs, then you might be blind for a few days. My eyes are so bad, I have to have spares. Just in case. Though I've been told my specs are of an unfashionable style now. I don't care.