The optometrist recommended seamless bifocals. I have a very painful nerve condition in my face (atypical trigeminal neuralgia), so this is what I need with glasses: the lightest weight frames possible- known as ultra light- with the lightest weight lenses possible and automatically darkening lenses so I don’t need the weight of sunglasses. The cheapest frames brought the total to $250 on the site the insurance worked with.
The frames are $20 on the cheap site. Everything else in the cost is the lenses.
As for why I have to buy them online- I don’t want anyone touching my face unless it’s absolutely necessary. The exam was painful enough.
American for-profit healthcare is fucking awesome.
Expensive lenses are expensive. My glasses also cost about $350 after insurance covers them. I go for all the expensive lenses and digital lens tech because my prescription is quite strong and it improves quality of life, but my vision could be corrected with the basic stuff.
Maybe your doctor can make the case to your insurance that these are medically necessary to be so lightweight. Otherwise, the improvements are a nicety, not a necessity.
Except in every other Western nation, where they aren’t expensive.
I would say $250 is fairly cheap, in Scandinavia you can easily pay $1000+ for special lenses.
For me the cheapest with okay quality costs $500 for a deal with two pairs from SpecSavers.
You sound very entitled.
Why are medical care/devices less expensive in other places, such as Europe? In large part because taxes are so high. US taxes are relatively low, meaning a different economic system and personal financial planning strategy.
My spouse is from a European nation with high taxes. It’s not all roses there. There are pros and cons to each system.
Also, see the other comment from a Scandinavian person. They seem to contradict your sentiment.
My spouse is from a European nation with high taxes. It’s not all roses there. There are pros and cons to each system.
Cool. I’m thousands of dollars in medical debt. The ‘cons’ I always hear are the long wait times. I’ve had to wait months to get procedures done here in the U.S.
One of the cons is that even with the taxes and long wait times, you often still have to pay a lot.
Besides, I gave a suggestion above about working with your doctor to make the case about medical necessity. Have you tried that?
Edit: medical debt is also dischargeable through bankruptcy, which is not to be undertaken lightly, but may be something for you to consider.
You sure don’t in Canada.
And yes, my case is very medically necessary. Without going into details because plenty of people have heard them way too many times, I’m close to one year without eating any solid foods.
That is on top of the neuralgia, which is mostly dealt with, but still requires me to see a neurologist. She can only see me twice a year. She’s also the only one in town.
Oh, and we have supposedly good insurance.
Cool how you’re comparing that to the U.S. which will have all those costs on top of the care Canadians don’t have to pay for. Not at all dishonest.
I’m an ABOA advanced optician, I’ve helped with lens designs, I’ve made my own line of frames, worked with every insurance company, and know the technical details of virtually every product on the market.
If it’s going to cost the same either way, do not get the online glasses. The 250 in store is discounted from probably 1200$, and the difference is immediately noticable.
The online glasses will not be measured to fit you properly, the focal point will be a best guess, which makes progressives have a ton of distortion, the frame won’t be adjusted and have no standards of material and shitty spring hinges, the transitions will be an old off brand composited lens that will delaminate after some time, the antireflective will be the cheapest, smudging crap possible, and the lenses will be thicker and heavier.
Go to a local optical, not any chain you’ve ever heard of. No corporate execs to pay means actual paid professionals helping you see better, as opposed to collision salesman trying to rip you off.
Online glasses are for single vision rx’s for children, not anybody who really needs glasses.
the frame won’t be adjusted and have no standards of material and shitty spring hinges
They’re the same frames sold in physical stores, though
the transitions will be an old off brand composited lens that will delaminate after some time the antireflective will be the cheapest, smudging crap possible, and the lenses will be thicker and heavier.
My old glasses that I don’t even wear anymore are 7 years old and never had issues and still aren’t delaminated at all, never had issues with smudging or glare
Go to a local optical, not any chain you’ve ever heard of. No corporate execs to pay means actual paid professionals helping you see better, as opposed to collision salesman trying to rip you off.
And yet you still spend way more than you would at somewhere like Zenni. So you’re getting ripped off for someone lower down the ladders benefit… Yay?
Online glasses are for single vision rx’s for children, not anybody who really needs glasses.
Complete bullshit. Not surprised that someone “with their own line of frames” would encourage people to go the pricier route, though.
I don’t feel like quoting or typing out responses, so I’ll just hit your points.
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No they’re fucking not. Not even close. There’s 200+ different manufacturers, and even individual lines from the same companies have wildly different qualities. I would know, since I work with them every day, go to several trade shows every year and didn’t get my info from Google.
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Survivorship bias, and you just noted you don’t wear them.
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This point is attempting to imply there is no difference in products, which there absolutely is.
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My line of frames is not a “big name”, and was only sold in 54 offices in 4 countries when I had them manufactured in 2021. There is no benefit to me for anyone to go to any store other than the two I own, you’ll never bump into my line, which I don’t make money from anyway.
I’m glad you watched a video once, but this is my profession and I know better than you.
No they’re fucking not
Nice source. Yes, they are.
Survivorship bias, and you just noted you don’t wear them
Holy shit dude, anymore. They survived 6 years of wearing. I’ve been using glasses off the internet for over 10 years as have 3 other people I know, it’s not survivorship bias if over 10 pairs of glasses haven’t had any of these issues you mention.
This point is attempting to imply there is no difference in products, which there absolutely is.
You’re right, the brand name glasses I used to wear have never lasted as long as my Zennis
I’m glad you watched a video once
Or I’ve ordered them and wear them regularly. Nice assumption though.
but this is my profession
So you’re incentivized to keep the bullshit going? Well, I should definitely trust you!
and I know better than you.
Clearly not, as you said a bunch of shit would happen with these glasses that, again, I’ve never seen despite my and my wife both having our entire family order glasses online for the last 8-12 years (mine 12, hers 8ish). Oh, and friends as well for about the same amount of time.
If you can’t tell the difference in quality between zenni and OvvO, lool, or paradigm frames, you’re willfully ignorant. I wouldn’t expect someone who only gets glasses online to know this since you have no experience. I however do.
As for issues with lenses, I see 25 patients a day, and have for the last 12 years. I’ve seen a few more cases than you and your wife, or even you and your friends.
Your opinions are not equal to my education and experience. I am literally an authority in this industry.
I’ve designed frames and vetted manufacturing plants to find one that fit my standards for materials. I make lenses everyday. I troubleshoot and fix or replace eyewear everyday. I know what happens when a focal point is off center by 3 mm. I can tell when someone is wearing online glasses just by how the temples fit.
There are a few very large companies that benefit greatly from pushing the idea that they’re all the same, and you’re shilling for them whether you know it or not.
wouldn’t expect someone who only gets glasses online
What part about “none of my online glasses have been any worse than the designer frames I got before” did you not read?
Your opinions are not equal to my education and experience. I am literally an authority in this industry.
Keep telling yourself that. So far you’ve only been a high on your own farts cunt spouting total bullshit. Frankly with how little of anything you’ve given but “but but but but I’m such a PROFESSIONAL” ive begun to think you’re a LARPing 13 year old
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Man, I wish this was always true.
Here in BC/Canada, our healthcare doesn’t cover glasses, and our 3rd party providers only cover $2-300 every 2 years for glasses.
My last job had a $500 yearly flex-spend coverage, which I used to buy $600 glasses (mainly lenses cost-wise) with all the options/coatings/transitions/blue light filter/etc from the local eye clinic, and honestly the lenses are not great, and after less than 3 years the coating is bubbling in horizontal lines across the entire lens.
Honestly though, been regretting getting glasses with the blue light filter for the past 2 years anyways, nothing feels vibrant anymore and i swear it has been negatively affecting my mood, and i have noticed zero difference in eye strain levels.
Blue light filters have a purpose, but it isn’t eye strain. That’s just marketing bullshit from people who don’t know it’s purpose or can’t be bothered to translate it to laymen.
It’s purpose is to protect your retina from damage that accumulates throughout your life. It’s to protect you from developing macular degeneration. It does nothing anyone will notice, it’s more like sunblock, except you can’t feel the burn.
Also if someone sells you shit products, go to someone better if possible. But avoid chains at all costs.
So life loses vibrancy, but my retinas stay in slightly better shape when I’m 80? Sounds like future me problem then, definitely have no interest in trying again with a different pair after my next eye exam.
Unfortunately every eye doctor in this province (or at least not a 13 hour drive away) is associated with a chain, with I think a single exception that is referral only. So the best I can do is get an eye exam, demand my detailed results, and do my best to order glasses that fit comfortably.
Wait, the blue tint actually does something? Everyone kept telling me to get it because sCrEeNs BaD but I wanted the clearest vision possible. Couldn’t find anything online saying the blue tint wasn’t useless so saved myself the $30.
Just wear sunglasses when outside and you’re good. Or get transitions and never think about it again.
I think Costco glasses are a good deal, even if you have to buy a one-year membership to get them. Don’t know if they’re available online, but don’t you want to try glasses on in person to make sure they fit and are comfortable?
No Costco around here unfortunately. I don’t want any glasses touching me unless they are the ultra lightweight ones. They weren’t available at the optometrist, which is who my insurance covered.
Just checked, it looks like you can buy Costco frames online, I got my glasses in the physical store and they were super cheap (like ~$60 for the lenses and ~$40 for the frames), it came out a bit over $100, I highly recommend.
If you do buy them online, make sure to submit the receipt to your insurance- they should cover at least some of it.
I understand your frustration. This sucks major league. I know a fairly cheep German glasses company who ship worldwide (production for most glasses worldwide is Thailand, that’s where the company gets their products as well). They’ve got a very generous refund policy as well. If you want to, I can pm you their website.
Please do, thank you.
Done under my original comment.
Got it. Thanks!
The international (english) site is: Glasses24.com
Done under my original comment.
Can you please post that here publicly so everyone can benefit?
Unless they hiked up their prices or went out of business in the past 2 years, the link should be grand.
If you need help regarding navigation around the website or how to put in the data for the glasses, please let me know.
Can you pm me the link as well?
Yay the conglomerate that owns glasses production and distribution.
It’s not just the US, Essilor is a virtual monopoly.
That said, my glasses are 50% less online than at a local shop.
Also, thank insurance companies for inflating prices
Essilor monopolizes lenses, Safilo monopolizes frames – neither offer direct sale
Why is it always luxottica
Seamless bifocals=Progressives. I got mine at Zenni Optical for like $145 all in.
Yeah, sorry, that’s what I meant. They used to be called ‘seamless bifocals’ back in the 90s and I still think of them that way.
Get Kaiser Permanente!.. I got new $150 for my $20 copay, which I was told I didn’t need to pay!
Weeks later they started sending me daily reminders to pay my copay and the extra 100 I owed on the frame!
Surely I don’t understand healthcare.
Unfortunately, my wife, who’s insurance I am on, doesn’t get to choose policies. Also, nothing is in-network for Kaiser around here. We did have it when we lived in L.A. and my daughter was born in Providence St. Joseph in Burbank, which was a really nice hospital and they paid for it. But I’m in Indiana now. No Kaiser stuff here.
Her vision plan is called VSP and it clearly sucks. But again, no choice.
Well then you don’t have to put up with the daily Kaiser pay 5 bucks please.
I got mine for $30, they can make them mute expensive, but for just glasses, it’s perfect.
I have had less than stellar results with Zenni, ymmv
I bought one pair from them and they were pretty crumby. Also getting the pupillary distance is tricky.
Measuring your own PD is ehhh. You can have the optometrist give you PD at your exam.
Good luck. Then the front of the store won’t get any business.
When I’ve gone to America’s Best for an eye exam, yeah, they were none too happy when I wouldn’t also buy glasses from them, but I got my prescriptions to go. Fuck em. Didn’t have a single problem with the optometrist office in the Target. I’m also pretty sure that the optometry part and the retail frames and lenses part of these stores are at least somewhat separate from each other, business-wise.
The down side of the online “cheap glasses” places is that when your frames show up all bent and twisted, you have to adjust them yourself, and if there’s a problem with the lenses, that’s a whole thing. Buying from a storefront, they’ll handle all that for you. I’m capable of running my plastic frames under hot water to straighten them out and adjust them to my crooked head.
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I second this, but OP says they have special lens needs. That’s what stacks the price.
So far my $30 glasses is going strong for 5 years now.
I got mine with their HD lenses, no-line bifocals with antiglare coating, and the total came to $135 shipped.
While my initial reaction to this was “wholly fuck that’s expensive” I realize that all those modifiers would make it close to a grand at a glasses shop.
I used them and they were great good-enough glasses.
When I got LASIK I wasn’t allowed to wear contacts for a few weeks before the surgery. I bought the cheapest pair of glasses from Zenni. I had new glasses for $17 + $10 shipping.
If I had to do it again I would have my IPD measured by a proper optometrist first. I just guessed at it and got ones a little too small, so they had a kind of fisheye effect.
Still, for <$30 it was a great bargain
eyebuydirect. You’ll need to measure your pupillary distance if your prescription from the doctor doesn’t list it.
Check out Firmoo, I’ve gotten really cheap prescription glasses on there multiple times.
Never heard of them. I’ll check them out. Thanks.
I always just go to America’s Best. $80 for an eye exam and two pairs of glasses is hard to beat.
As far as I know, that’s not around here. But the eye exam was only $30, so at least the insurance helped there. It would have only been $10, but they said if I gave them an extra $20, they’d do some imaging thing which meant they didn’t have to dilate my eyes. Totally worth an extra $20.
Fub fact: they both cost $250
Very fub indeed
If you take care of the you should be good for at least 5 years
If you have Costco membership, their optical department is pretty affordable. Frames are $50-80. Lenses another $80 or so, but depends on complexity and of you get transitions and whatnot.
It’s the same for Sam’s Club. My eye doctor said glasses would be $800 AFTER insurance. I went to Sam’s Club and got two pairs for $200.
from the op description they are in fact a very complicated seamless bifocal. likely some of the most expensive lenses to make. idk, to a certain extent op is looking for a modern luxury item and mad that it’s expensive. like they don’t NEED seamless bifocals, it’s just Better for their condition. they could spend less on thicker cheaper bifocals, they just wouldn’t be as nice.
like it sucks that most glasses are uncomfortable for them, but sadly this has simply resulted in them needing expensive glasses if they get this spec. it’s kind of like someone saying they need a car that’s fast, fuel efficient, rides great, looks cool, is safe, and has lots of storage but are confused why they can’t find a good deal on that.
also, costco takes the shitty eye insurance so you may not be paying much on top of not paying much already. felt good that year.
And if you don’t have a membership, one costs $60. So frames lenses and membership could end up less than $250.
