Bob

So where are everyone getting their glasses then?

It's been years and I finally need to get the eyes rebooted now we've got eyeball coverage.

Last time around, I think it was Lenscrafter or one of those zippy fast places. Current LC has a rubbish selection locally but some good deals for kids. BJ's have some great deals of a second complete set for free and they have decent choices and reasonable costs, especially for kids.

As the eldest kid might need a check up too, but annoyingly only mentioned it yesterday and we didn't get the family plan bolted on as it was going to be to expensive.

Seen some online places that do glasses for cheap if you have a prescription. Any one tried those lately? Might be worth it for a spare set, or for shades in the car, but for daily use I really like to actually try the pairs out first.

Speedwell

http://www.eyebuydirect.com/bogo.html is such a site. They can be very inexpensive. I'll get a spare pair there. They have a good reputation.

Pulaski

A local optician. The service is good and I get speak to someone who knows what he's talking about, not a technician who can operate a computerised machine.

S Folinsky

Costco.

SarahG

We get my sons glasses from Coastal.

Sally Redux

Same here.

markonline1

I actually got my eyes tested and bought glasses from Walmart and I gotta say, I was impressed. Far far better than any experience I've had in the UK. $50 for the test which I think is pretty standard and about $250 for glasses with Nikon thin lenses.

SpoogleDrummer

I got my last couple of pairs from Coastal.com. They kept putting up offers on Facebook for complete sets for free with no mention of having to be a new customer so I had 2 pairs, wife had 3. They caught on and fixed it so it's just first pair free when they offer it now.

Noorah101

I always get my eye exam done by my own Optometrist who I've been going to for 20 years. I needed new glasses AND frames this time (just a few months ago), so I got the prescription from him and shopped around.

Last time I got glasses (nearly 6 years ago) was at Costco and I was very satisfied with the price and the equipment back then.

This time, I wanted new frames, too. After MUCH shopping around and researching online, I finally went with a local small business called Eye-magination for the frames. They were the only ones I found I really liked, plus I wanted the kind that come with magnetic clip-on sun shades.

I almost went back to Costco for the lenses, but after doing some research and talking to others, it seems there really is a difference in quality of progressive lens materials, and Costco uses the lowest quality. I opted to pay more and got the lenses done back at my Optometrist's office, as they gave me a discount for already being a customer. I was amazed at the result...crystal clear, with the widened area of vision. I could really notice the difference.

I do not have vision insurance. Overall, for the exam, frames, and lenses, I paid about $750. But these now should last me at least a good 5 years, if not more. My vision has pretty much stopped changing, and I take very good care of my glasses.

Rene

Nutmegger

+1. I see an MD for an annual eye test, then take the prescription to Costco. A few years ago my insurer had some kind of a deal with Target for specs, so I had them made there -- didn't think the service was as good as Costco's (and in fact it ended up being more expensive). I need to try specs on before I buy to ensure fit, so have stayed away from online vendors. Contacts I get from Vision Direct.

lansbury

I had a pair of progressive lenses from Costco and I would never go to them again. They were cheap and the worst progressives I have had, and I have been wearing these types of lenses for many years. With progressives it pays to get good lenses. I normally ask for Carl Zeiss as I've found they have less distortion down they edge of the lens, and a much smooth transition from reading to distance.

Bink

Me too. The guy I use (who my wife's family have used for years) is great. Was worried about finding a good one here but got really lucky. We'll use him for years to come.

Bob

Would be a option if one existed, but there aren't any locally. There was a couple in our old neck of the woods, but that's a bit of a hike and they weren't cheap either.

My last pair has lasted over 10 years now, the shades are about that too.

Definitely a PITA though, but something for when the taxes come on I think, well the kids check at least :/

Pulaski

I'm as blind as a bat without them, or at least I was until age started to creep up on me. Now I have to take my glasses off for close tasks, which is a bizarre feeling since I had worn glasses for every waking minute since I was 9 years old. Anyhow, although I don't want to spend a fortune on eye care, I consider it to be money well spent given that glasses are a necessity, not a luxury or something for occasional use.

Speedwell

I just started wearing glasses (which is great actually because my mother and father needed them a full 15 years before I did). My prescription is still almost window glass, but I need a slight correction for close work and to see faraway street signs better.

I had perfect vision all my life. Then a couple years ago I had a weird eye infection that took several weeks to get over. At my last appointment for that issue, I mentioned to the ophthalmologist that I had a concern. I told her that since the problem happened, I'd noticed that I could still read small print, but I had to hold it way... out... here... did I have lasting effects from the infection or the medication? She laughed so hard I was shocked, and looked straight at me and said, "Honey. How old are you again?" Oh boy.