How to save money - prescription glasses | General financial discussion | Discussion forum

Let's take a look at glasses and supposed deals.

For now I have kept the cost of the frames out of the calculations and leave the cost up to you.

At a "Doctors of Optometry" (not a chain or franchise) business I was offered the following great deal.
I purchased one frame and 3 sets of anti-glare lenses @ $144 a pair and one pair free. So 3 pairs for 288 or $96 a pair.
My spouse purchased only 2 sets of anti-glare lenses @ $144 a pair and one pair free. So 2 pairs for $72 a pair.

I was so disappointed with the anti-glare I had them changed back to regular air lenses that are worth approx. $40 at no cost and no refund of the difference. Reason for the change was.....anti-glare is high maintenance to keep clean.

So off to Costco and asked about their options for lenses. No real options, all come with scratch coat and anti-glare for $90 a pair. Second pair of lenses are $50 off. So 2 pairs for $70 a pair. But you have to buy a second set of frames as they are not into putting new lenses into old frames.

But notice the price of lenses..$70 and $72 a pair...no deals at all. Just different marketing gimmicks!

So no Costco for me as anti-glare is not for me!

Ah...remember Trevor Linden glasses commercials? I looked them up online. Some how they are more thorough as you can actually buy glasses that "fit" your face and head. Did that happen at Costco or your local optometry shop...not likely. You picked some glasses off the rack, they put lenses in for you, and when you picked them up you may or may not have had some adjustments done on them before you left.

The online web site tells you to read the numbers on the arm of your glasses ie. 55 17 145. So what does that mean? 55 is lens width in mm, 17 is the bridge in mm, and 145 is the arm length in mm. Ever wondered why some arms on your glasses end so far back on your head? They come in different sizes!

The online website allows you to enter these numbers for a best fit solution. And I played with the numbers a bit because none of my glasses had the same numbers so I used the numbers that fit me the best by trying on each set of my existing glasses. The only thing you need to do is measure what height of lenses you would like to have and compare to the stats they offer online. Not something that your local high priced optometry store does for you....right?

Key in your prescription too and make sure it includes the PD measurement or you may have to do that one your self.

Pick a set of frames of which most are in the $100 range and standard lenses are included at no charge. To upgrade a bit for thinner lenses that are scratch coated, UV protected and anti glare are and additional $55.

Then check out if they have any offers like BOGO!!

So look at the prices for lenses
For 1 set Standard $0.00 or $40
For 1 set of Anti-glare, scratch coat, and UV $144, $90 or $55
For 2 sets Anti-glare, scratch coat, and UV $72 (BOGO), $65 (BOG $50 off) or $27.50 (BOGO)
For 3 sets Anti-glare, scratch coat, and UV $96 (Buy 3 and get 1 free).

Notice the price of lenses....are they good deals? Or just different marketing gimmicks? You decide who has the best deals, service and best fitting product for you!!

Just as a side note some push the Anti-glare, scratch coat, and UV no matter what and others will push by saying they are thinner as your prescription is stronger but neglect to tell you the down side of anti-glare. Only a few will offer standard lenses on a stronger prescription......so make sure you ask before being directed to the higher cost lenses.

So just be careful when someone says you are getting a deal! And are you receiving the best level of service at your local optometry store? Likely not.

The choice is yours and I certainly feel that I am much more informed about glasses that I have been wearing for the last 30 years, since I have looked at the online options.