When I recently needed to replace my specs, my options were (as you say) an independent optometrist (selling overpriced Luxottica stuff), a chain optometrist (s

When I recently needed to replace my specs, my options were (as you say) an independent optometrist (selling overpriced Luxottica stuff), a chain optometrist (selling the same overpriced stuff), online-only retailers like Zenni or 39dollar, or WP. I know there are others like CostCo but I'm not a member and didn't feel like bothering with all that. I've purchased from Zenni and 39dollar in the past. They're cheap and decent for the most part, but I couldn't just try on frames or easily get my script updated. WP has a physical store nearby where I could do just that and still buy cheap frames/lenses. I have crappy eyesight and need to buy high index lenses, so I'm already out a couple hundred bucks regardless. No need to also spend that on molded acetate frames.