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As someone who previously worked in this industry, I highly suggest that you consider purchasing your eyewear online (through a wholesaler like Zenni Optical, f

As someone who previously worked in this industry, I highly suggest that you consider purchasing your eyewear online (through a wholesaler like Zenni Optical, for example). Premiums or not, you're paying a huge markup for brick-and-mortar (plus the Luxottica tax) to buy in-person. The only benefit to buying in-person is the ability to go back and exchange your glasses for a new prescription, but even if you do that twice and your optometrist charges you for a new exam each time, you'd still be saving money ordering online. In cases where your exam nails your prescription the first time, it's drastically cheaper (more than one order of magnitude) to shop online. Bonus, you can afford to purchase several pairs of glasses to keep all over the place, ensuring a broken or lost pair is not a big deal. Note, I only have experience with eyewear; I have never worn contacts, which may be a different story.

jfoutz 9y ago
I have thick glasses. i usually just order 4 different pairs online. it's about the same price, i have spares. there's a little variation, i'm not happy with every pair i have, but usually 2 or 3 are great. and if i have to i can still use that one pair that's a little off.
vanattab 9y ago
I second this suggestion I was able to buy I nice pair of prescription polarized sunglasses for my fly fishing with oil resistant coatings for like $60. The only trick getting your eye doctor to actual give you the prescription I had to threaten walking out with out paying to get the "doctor" to give me my prescription.
- ars 9y ago
  I just told the Dr. I didn't like any of the styles they had. Hard to argue with that.
- wlesieutre 9y ago
  Threaten to call the FTC on them: What are my rights under the FTC’s Eyeglass and Contact Lens Rules? If you get a fitting for glasses or contact lenses, the eye doctor must give you a copy of your prescription – whether you ask for it or not. It’s the law. The doctor can’t require you to pay an extra fee, buy eyeglasses or contact lenses, or sign a waiver or form. https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0116-prescription-glasses-and-contact-lenses https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0116-prescription-glas...
UnoriginalGuy 9y ago
We did exactly this last time (prescription sunglasses and regular from Zenni). We went to Costco for the exam/prescription which was pretty hassle free. I'll set out the positives and negatives: Positive: They nailed the prescription (perfect). The lenses were as thin as normal with the 1.67 "high-index polymer" upgrade (which is important as the prescription is bad in one eye, could result in super thick lenses). In all other respects they do what they say they do. Negatives: We ran into an unexpected and ultimately fatal issue; even with perfect lenses and fine looking frames, my wife could not get them to sit straight or comfortably on her face. They'd slide down her nose and fall, both pairs. We bent them with pliers and a heat gun, followed the guide on Zenni's site, even had the gall to take them into an opticians (Standard Optical) and they tried adjusting them for us, no dice. This is on both pairs (sunglasses and regular). Even after our best attempts and taking them into a Standard Optical, we could not make it work. We now have two pairs of Zenni sitting in a draw and had to spend another $180+ on just regular glasses from Costco (no sunglasses due to cost). These ones at least stay on her face. It is such an obnoxious and unusual issue to have, but two frames from two different lines of frames both didn't work for us and could not be fixed. It definitely shows the biggest problem with online glasses shopping in general, good prices, but if they don't fit your face then you're now out $170 (Plus whatever we spent at Costco after failing at Zenni). This isn't meant to be a slam against Zenni in particular, they did what they said they'd do at a good price. This is a cautionary tale about online glasses shopping in general...
- walterbell 9y ago
  Zenni refunds 50% of the price for returns. Eyebuydirect (14 days) and 39dollarglasses (30 days) offer full refund for returns.
  - UnoriginalGuy 9y ago
    We didn't return because we didn't feel it was Zenni's fault. There was no defect with the glasses, they just didn't happen to fit my wife's face and couldn't be adjusted to. I was just posting to point out an inherent flaw with the entire concept of online glasses ordering and one I have no solution to. I'd love to imagine a future where they can 3D scan a face and produce bespoke frames.
mistermann 9y ago
This may be a dumb question....I recently had my eye checkup at Costco and they said I could get by with reading glasses for now, but if it's not too expensive I wouldn't mind getting a pair of progressives - does that require a more in-depth test or can I just use the number they gave me from the exam? (It was about 6 months ago, so perhaps I should go get another exam? And let them know I'm thinking of getting progressives? I know nothing about it.)
- snuxoll 9y ago
  Progressive lenses can be really tricky to get used to from what I’ve been told, you may want to give cheaper bifocal lenses a try first or just buy a pair of reading glasses you take on and off. If you feel they aren’t your thing you would feel less shelving the cheaper option first.
- el_benhameen 9y ago
  My doctor was hesitant to prescribe me progressives given how difficult it can be to get used to them, and he spent a fair amount of the exam figuring out where to set the focal distance (had me hold my phone at a natural reading distance, had me read from a card at different distances, etc.). I have a very odd prescription, so that could have been part of it. Still, if it’s not too much time and cost, I’d go back and get the exam and get a prescription that explicitly includes progressive values. Also, someone on HN talked about getting a prescription for reading up close (essentially the bottom focal distance of a progressive lens across the entire lens) and another standard prescription for non-reading use. When I have the time to get my prescription re-done, I’m going to do that instead of progressives. They’re a real pain to get used to, and they correct neither near nor far sight perfectly.
  - walterbell 9y ago
    A dedicated computer or reading pair gives the best optical quality. Second best is magnetic (Chemistrie from Eynavision) or clip-on (Eclips) custom reading lenses that attach to your existing glasses, to adjust the focal plane.
- 9y ago
chakalakasp 9y ago
+1 for Zenni. With a prescription in hand (make sure to get the pupillary distance measured), you can get great glasses with Trivex material (the Cadillac of lens materials, if you will) with the top end coatings for $80 shipped. I've been using them for years and at this point it feels like a lifehack.
- mrob 9y ago
  Trivex markets their material aggressively, but it's debatable if it's actually best, especially if you don't need a very thick lens. The traditional CR-39 resin has noticeably better chromatic aberration performance (higher Abbe number).
  - walterbell 9y ago
    It’s difficult to find small frames that work with CR-39 and higher prescriptions. Best ones are based on “vintage” styles from the days of glass lenses, when small lens widths kept the weight down.
  - chakalakasp 9y ago
    Personally what I like about it is that it has impact resistance; they're not quite safety glasses (unless you get really big glasses), but they're pretty close.
- criddell 9y ago
  My optometrist wouldn't measure my PD. He said that's included in the price of glasses. I offered him $20 to cover the service but he wouldn't budge.
  - wlesieutre 9y ago
    You can get your eyes examined by an independent optometrist at most Costco stores without being a member. Not sure why it's set up that way, but I've heard it's something to do with the monopoly that Luxottica has. They won't sell you glasses without a membership though, so if you're looking for somewhere that won't force you to buy something, that's a pretty safe bet.
HNSucksAss 9y ago
Just don't buy from GlassesUSA. They peddle junk and then hide behind their no-refund policy when you receive unusably bad glasses.
davidcbc 9y ago
> The only benefit to buying in-person is the ability to go back and exchange your glasses for a new prescription You are overlooking a huge benefit to buying in person... seeing what the glasses look like on your face before buying them
- jachee 9y ago
  I've never had the luxury. Even if I try on their empty frames, and lean close enough to the mirror to get a general idea of what they look like, I have to take on faith (or ask someone else) that they look decent. By the time my heavy prescription is added, the refraction alters the way they look anyway. Zenni has a feature whereby I can upload a photo, and get a reasonable facsimile of how a frame is going to fit, while wearing my current prescription to be able to actually focus on it. After 3 years of zenni, I went back to brick-and-mortar once, and faced extreme sticker shock. Back to Zenni I went, and have been super happy with them since.

jfoutz 9y ago

I have thick glasses. i usually just order 4 different pairs online. it's about the same price, i have spares. there's a little variation, i'm not happy with every pair i have, but usually 2 or 3 are great. and if i have to i can still use that one pair that's a little off.

vanattab 9y ago

I second this suggestion I was able to buy I nice pair of prescription polarized sunglasses for my fly fishing with oil resistant coatings for like $60. The only trick getting your eye doctor to actual give you the prescription I had to threaten walking out with out paying to get the "doctor" to give me my prescription.

ars 9y ago
I just told the Dr. I didn't like any of the styles they had. Hard to argue with that.
wlesieutre 9y ago
Threaten to call the FTC on them: What are my rights under the FTC’s Eyeglass and Contact Lens Rules? If you get a fitting for glasses or contact lenses, the eye doctor must give you a copy of your prescription – whether you ask for it or not. It’s the law. The doctor can’t require you to pay an extra fee, buy eyeglasses or contact lenses, or sign a waiver or form. https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0116-prescription-glasses-and-contact-lenses https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0116-prescription-glas...

UnoriginalGuy 9y ago

We did exactly this last time (prescription sunglasses and regular from Zenni). We went to Costco for the exam/prescription which was pretty hassle free. I'll set out the positives and negatives: Positive: They nailed the prescription (perfect). The lenses were as thin as normal with the 1.67 "high-index polymer" upgrade (which is important as the prescription is bad in one eye, could result in super thick lenses). In all other respects they do what they say they do. Negatives: We ran into an unexpected and ultimately fatal issue; even with perfect lenses and fine looking frames, my wife could not get them to sit straight or comfortably on her face. They'd slide down her nose and fall, both pairs. We bent them with pliers and a heat gun, followed the guide on Zenni's site, even had the gall to take them into an opticians (Standard Optical) and they tried adjusting them for us, no dice. This is on both pairs (sunglasses and regular). Even after our best attempts and taking them into a Standard Optical, we could not make it work. We now have two pairs of Zenni sitting in a draw and had to spend another $180+ on just regular glasses from Costco (no sunglasses due to cost). These ones at least stay on her face. It is such an obnoxious and unusual issue to have, but two frames from two different lines of frames both didn't work for us and could not be fixed. It definitely shows the biggest problem with online glasses shopping in general, good prices, but if they don't fit your face then you're now out $170 (Plus whatever we spent at Costco after failing at Zenni). This isn't meant to be a slam against Zenni in particular, they did what they said they'd do at a good price. This is a cautionary tale about online glasses shopping in general...

walterbell 9y ago
Zenni refunds 50% of the price for returns. Eyebuydirect (14 days) and 39dollarglasses (30 days) offer full refund for returns.
- UnoriginalGuy 9y ago
  We didn't return because we didn't feel it was Zenni's fault. There was no defect with the glasses, they just didn't happen to fit my wife's face and couldn't be adjusted to. I was just posting to point out an inherent flaw with the entire concept of online glasses ordering and one I have no solution to. I'd love to imagine a future where they can 3D scan a face and produce bespoke frames.

mistermann 9y ago

This may be a dumb question....I recently had my eye checkup at Costco and they said I could get by with reading glasses for now, but if it's not too expensive I wouldn't mind getting a pair of progressives - does that require a more in-depth test or can I just use the number they gave me from the exam? (It was about 6 months ago, so perhaps I should go get another exam? And let them know I'm thinking of getting progressives? I know nothing about it.)

snuxoll 9y ago
Progressive lenses can be really tricky to get used to from what I’ve been told, you may want to give cheaper bifocal lenses a try first or just buy a pair of reading glasses you take on and off. If you feel they aren’t your thing you would feel less shelving the cheaper option first.
el_benhameen 9y ago
My doctor was hesitant to prescribe me progressives given how difficult it can be to get used to them, and he spent a fair amount of the exam figuring out where to set the focal distance (had me hold my phone at a natural reading distance, had me read from a card at different distances, etc.). I have a very odd prescription, so that could have been part of it. Still, if it’s not too much time and cost, I’d go back and get the exam and get a prescription that explicitly includes progressive values. Also, someone on HN talked about getting a prescription for reading up close (essentially the bottom focal distance of a progressive lens across the entire lens) and another standard prescription for non-reading use. When I have the time to get my prescription re-done, I’m going to do that instead of progressives. They’re a real pain to get used to, and they correct neither near nor far sight perfectly.
- walterbell 9y ago
  A dedicated computer or reading pair gives the best optical quality. Second best is magnetic (Chemistrie from Eynavision) or clip-on (Eclips) custom reading lenses that attach to your existing glasses, to adjust the focal plane.
9y ago

chakalakasp 9y ago

+1 for Zenni. With a prescription in hand (make sure to get the pupillary distance measured), you can get great glasses with Trivex material (the Cadillac of lens materials, if you will) with the top end coatings for $80 shipped. I've been using them for years and at this point it feels like a lifehack.

mrob 9y ago
Trivex markets their material aggressively, but it's debatable if it's actually best, especially if you don't need a very thick lens. The traditional CR-39 resin has noticeably better chromatic aberration performance (higher Abbe number).
- walterbell 9y ago
  It’s difficult to find small frames that work with CR-39 and higher prescriptions. Best ones are based on “vintage” styles from the days of glass lenses, when small lens widths kept the weight down.
- chakalakasp 9y ago
  Personally what I like about it is that it has impact resistance; they're not quite safety glasses (unless you get really big glasses), but they're pretty close.
criddell 9y ago
My optometrist wouldn't measure my PD. He said that's included in the price of glasses. I offered him $20 to cover the service but he wouldn't budge.
- wlesieutre 9y ago
  You can get your eyes examined by an independent optometrist at most Costco stores without being a member. Not sure why it's set up that way, but I've heard it's something to do with the monopoly that Luxottica has. They won't sell you glasses without a membership though, so if you're looking for somewhere that won't force you to buy something, that's a pretty safe bet.

HNSucksAss 9y ago

Just don't buy from GlassesUSA. They peddle junk and then hide behind their no-refund policy when you receive unusably bad glasses.

davidcbc 9y ago

> The only benefit to buying in-person is the ability to go back and exchange your glasses for a new prescription You are overlooking a huge benefit to buying in person... seeing what the glasses look like on your face before buying them

jachee 9y ago
I've never had the luxury. Even if I try on their empty frames, and lean close enough to the mirror to get a general idea of what they look like, I have to take on faith (or ask someone else) that they look decent. By the time my heavy prescription is added, the refraction alters the way they look anyway. Zenni has a feature whereby I can upload a photo, and get a reasonable facsimile of how a frame is going to fit, while wearing my current prescription to be able to actually focus on it. After 3 years of zenni, I went back to brick-and-mortar once, and faced extreme sticker shock. Back to Zenni I went, and have been super happy with them since.