Cheap Glasses (for the USA)

[Binxie]

I just switched from contacts (which were costing me $$$ per year) to simple eyeglasses. When I was contemplating the change, I figured there *must* be cheaper ways to get glasses than the hundreds usually charged at most optometrists' offices. There are.

The option I just used was America's Best. For $69.95, you can get two pairs of single-vision eyeglasses and a free exam. Of course, once you're in the office, they try to upsell you on "better" lenses, special coatings, more expensive frames, but you don't need to bite. I did pay an extra $69.95 for replacement warranty plus scratch-resistant coatings and UV protection. Altogether, it was just over $140 for an exam and two sets of glasses, one of them sunglasses. That's less than I paid my old eye doctor for just the exam. (BTW, if you get just an eye exam at America's Best, it's $45, a low price for the USA.)

America's Best is part in-store retail and part online. I was in South Carolina a couple weeks ago, so I dropped in to the Columbia location for my exam and to pick frames. I also made sure I got a copy of my prescription, which they have to provide by law. Then they made the glasses wherever they do and shipped them to a Florida post office for me, where I picked them up today. Easy-peasy.

Other websites have cheap glasses available if you have your prescription. All of them have a feature where you can upload your portrait to "try on" frames. Just google "cheap glasses online," and several sites come up, including ZenniOptical.com, where glasses start at $6.95.

I noticed that some of the websites say in their FAQs that they don't contact your optometrist without your permission. So if you happen to know your outdated prescription or can figure it out using an online eye test ... This might not be entirely legal, so I'm not advising anyone to do so.

Almost everything above is true for bifocals, progressives, contacts, etc., but just more money, yet less than your average optometrist / vision center.

And of course, there's always Mexico, sweet Mexico.

 

[dhawktx]

I've used Zenni many times. Always happy with their work and value. You can upload each of your prescriptions and save them with nicknames so that you can easily select the type of glasses you want to order

My last eye exam the optometrist was intrigued and didn't mind at all taking my requested measurements (including PD, pupillary distance) - Distance, Computer/Dashboard, Reading. I then use those measurements to get exactly the glasses I prefer - Driving (Distance/Dashboard), Computer (Dashboard/Reading), and single vision Readers.

The one before him was confused as to what I was asking for (or maybe why), but did go ahead and give me the measurements I requested.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

For reading glasses, I just use the simple off the rack magnifiers from my local drug store.

Regards
John

 

[dhawktx]

My eyes are wonky enough I'd have to get two different readers and swap some lenses. I keep a pair that's close enough as backup in case the good ones are damaged.

 

[gcal]

Wow. We just paid almost $900 for 2 eye exams and 2 pair of glasses. Our eye doctor is very thorough. I don't mind what he charges, and I don't know what goes into making and fitting the lenses. But paying $100 each for $1's worth of plastic in the frames is annoying. They were running a 2-fer, which gave is some kind of break, but it forced us to buy 2 pair of glasses to get it. What about people who only want or need one pair? We are thinking about trying Canada next time around. Anybody know anything about that?

Please don't recommend readers from the drug store. Believe me, you don't want me driving on the same roads you are on without glasses.

 

[Binxie]

Please don't recommend readers from the drug store. Believe me, you don't want me driving on the same roads you are on without glasses.

The readers are for up close. I use them from time to time. The glasses I bought recently, though, were distance glasses for driving. I definitely need a prescription for those.

 

[SoulRaven]

I use the optometrist at Wal-Mart here. He is very good and the charge is $60.00. I order through Zenni and have progressive and a stronger prescription. I usually buy the more expensive frames, like $24.95 and get one of the thinner lenses and the cost is less than $100.00. The same one at Wal-Mart would be about $400.00. I like Zenni as you can upload a photo and "try on" frames and although not exactly how they will look, it gives one a decent idea.

 

[wagoneer]

closest one to me is 360 miles

 

[compassrose]

There are two types of eye doctors.

An optometrist is the cheaper one. They typically do basic eye exams and prescribe glasses and contact lenses.

An ophthalmologist is a a specialist and does surgery on eyes. More schooling and higher fee.

I've been to both. Both do eye exams and prescribe glasses & contacts. What you find in Wal-Marts and Sam's Clubs are optometrists. I wear contacts. I get my contacts via Sam's Club and I save a little over 1-800 Contacts which is whom I used to get them thru. I buy soft lenses then wear them a month or more. You are supposed to use a valid prescription (mine are good for two years). I simply buy as many packs as I can afford during the time frame my prescription is good for and wait until I run out. My eyes no longer change often so this works for me.


Comparison : Acuvue Oasys w/Hydroclear 12pk
1-800 Contacts: $70 box
Sam's Club: $67.50 box

 

[Cheli]

Please don't recommend readers from the drug store. Believe me, you don't want me driving on the same roads you are on without glasses.

Readers are only for reading, I don't think anyone recommended using them for driving or recommended driving without driving glasses if needed.  hahaha

 

[Almost There]

Wow. We just paid almost $900 for 2 eye exams and 2 pair of glasses. Our eye doctor is very thorough. I don't mind what he charges, and I don't know what goes into making and fitting the lenses. But paying $100 each for $1's worth of plastic in the frames is annoying. They were running a 2-fer, which gave is some kind of break, but it forced us to buy 2 pair of glasses to get it. What about people who only want or need one pair? We are thinking about trying Canada next time around. Anybody know anything about that?

Please don't recommend readers from the drug store. Believe me, you don't want me driving on the same roads you are on without glasses.

As a Canadian who wears glasses, I recommend that you shop around in the US.

I will be getting my eyes tested and probably new lenses at least before I go back to Canada in the spring.

Even at 35 cents on the dollar currency exchange,  it will be cheaper to have it all done here in the US than it would be in Canada.

 

[Spirituallifetime]

My employer's insurance uses America's Best, when I saw their prices I quit paying for the insurance the next year it was offered!

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

i used americas best for my first pair/exam, none here tho. eye doctor pretty pricey here but i dont get prescription often. last time before current was like 4-6 yrs ago. he said it didnt change at all in my left eye and a bit in my right, which i noticed for last year now. I got a spare pair and my old ones, and prolly not replace for 10. They try to tell you every year here, eyeglass place wont even take older prescription (just go to dr next store who totally isnt kicking back to us)....so you keep forking out.

Online for me from now on.

 

[eDJ_]

A couple of years ago I was at a Walmart in my area.   I decided to check out the Optical shop there
and noticed a magazine titled, "International Living" and asked about it.   Turned out the Guys shared
an interest of mine in living and working as an Expatriate.  

As I got to know them one was looking to leave his job and move to the Gulf coast.  I began asking him
about saving money on glasses etc.  He told me that if I were to get a prescription/check up,  that
I could go offshore and purchase them dirt cheap.  He mentioned some places in the Caribbean that
would do just as good of a job as anyone in the States and a few of these places are owned by Expats
from the States.

 

[pnwgypsy]

I have purchased glasses at america's best in the past. Here's a warning about their $69 deal. That is for plain plastic lenses. If you have a stronger prescription or need bifocals, it will be more. My rx is around -10 so I have to get the priciest lens material so they are reasonably thin. I've considered zenni, but my eye dr warned they're quality control with stronger rx's isn't so good. Also the zenni glasses ship to your directly from China where they are made & can take awhile to arrive. Outside these 2, walmart & costco (if you're a member) have the best pricing.