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+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 l

+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.
  - criddell 9y ago
    I ended up measuring myself at home. It's not a difficult measurement to make.
    - walterbell 9y ago
      iOS app for PD measurement: https://appadvice.com/app/pd-meter-pupil-distance-measure-by-glassifyme/1041586910 https://appadvice.com/app/pd-meter-pupil-distance-measure-by...
  - wlesieutre 9y ago
    I should have said "won't try to force you to buy something," since as I pointed out in another comment they're required by the FTC to give you your prescription. https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0116-prescription-glasses-and-contact-lenses https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0116-prescription-glas... Unfortunately it looks like IPD is not covered in that, but I'm sure the independent optometrists at Costco would be willing to measure it no-strings-attached since they're not selling you glasses.
- pwinnski 9y ago
  He knew that would be the last time he ever saw you. They keep those numbers for themselves to keep you coming back. At this point it's so much a part of the culture that even optometrists without a direct relationship to the company that provides your glasses still believe people can't be trusted with measurement of their own eyes.

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.
- criddell 9y ago
  I ended up measuring myself at home. It's not a difficult measurement to make.
  - walterbell 9y ago
    iOS app for PD measurement: https://appadvice.com/app/pd-meter-pupil-distance-measure-by-glassifyme/1041586910 https://appadvice.com/app/pd-meter-pupil-distance-measure-by...
- wlesieutre 9y ago
  I should have said "won't try to force you to buy something," since as I pointed out in another comment they're required by the FTC to give you your prescription. https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0116-prescription-glasses-and-contact-lenses https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0116-prescription-glas... Unfortunately it looks like IPD is not covered in that, but I'm sure the independent optometrists at Costco would be willing to measure it no-strings-attached since they're not selling you glasses.
pwinnski 9y ago
He knew that would be the last time he ever saw you. They keep those numbers for themselves to keep you coming back. At this point it's so much a part of the culture that even optometrists without a direct relationship to the company that provides your glasses still believe people can't be trusted with measurement of their own eyes.