melissa
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Posts: 3,912 
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Post by melissa on Apr 13, 2017 19:32:20 GMT
So, it finally happened. I've noticed that my vision has changed. Blame it on tamoxifen and exemestane. Yeah, yeah.. you can blame it on age as well. No matter what, the time has come and my vision has changed so much that I now need glasses. And not just glasses, I need glasses for distance AND glasses for reading. Sure, I could get bifocals, but I was nervous about jumping right into bifocals with no experience wearing glasses aside from sun glasses and, the last few years, cheap reading glasses that I keep by my sewing machine if I need to thread a needle. So, my husband, who has worn glasses since he was at least a teen, says don't get any of those add-ons they offer. Don't get the scratch resistant coating. Don't get the anti-glare. Don't get the polycarbonate lenses. I did not listen to him and I got the anti-glare on my distance glasses because I already have issues with glare when I drive at not and I don't wear glasses! (Well, not yet.. soon enough). I am also concerned about sunglasses. Dh was trying to tell me I don't need them, but I do wear sunglasses when I drove during the day if it's not cloudy. I really do think I need a pair of prescription sunglasses for driving. So, that brings me to my questions for the wise refupeas. Educate me please.  I feel totally out of my element as a non-glasses wearing person for over 50 years! 1. The extra costs for the various coating on lenses. Are they actually worth it for an adult? Are they really more of an unnecessary expense that is really a profit center. (I did go cheap and did the 2 pairs for $69, but added the anti-glare to one pair for an additional $50.) 2. Talk to me about ordering glasses on line. I am thinking that might be the best way to go for sunglasses cost-wise. I do have a copy of my prescription. But I don't think I have those measurements the girl on the sales floor took afterwards when I was ordering the glasses. 3. What else do I need to know? I was honestly too overwhelmed to really think about bifocals, but I am also thinking I will want them eventually if I end up wearing glasses all the time. They had 4 or 5 different types. I think I need to learn about them and figure out if the fancier ones are worth the price (the fancier ones actually made the most sense to me from the brief descriptions I was given.) |
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Post by shescrafty on Apr 13, 2017 19:53:42 GMT
My eye doctor told me that I could use cheap drugstore glasses since I only need the 1.25 strength, so I did not go with bifocals.
My DH just ordered through Warby Parker and was very happy.. he got his prescription from the eye dr., and chose frames online. They arrived within 3 days and he tried them on and chose the style he liked best. He sent back the try on glasses and very soon after his real glasses came in. He was very pleased.
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Post by myshelly on Apr 13, 2017 19:56:44 GMT
I have been wearing glasses for close to 15 yrs and I agree with your DH.
I don't ever get any of the expensive add ons.
It's so smarmy to me - like when you go to a used car salesman and he tries to sell you a million add ons you don't need and warranties that don't actually do anything,
Buy cheap.
I buy in person from America's Best. It's 2 pairs for $70.
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Post by JustCallMeMommy on Apr 13, 2017 19:57:25 GMT
Well, your DH and I have the exact opposite glasses philosophy. I always get anti-glare. I have a huge issue with glare at night, and it helps some. I look at the prices on the other coatings before deciding.
Since I only get new frames every other year with insurance, I tend to try to find frames I really, really love. If that means I pay more, so be it. My glasses are the only accessory that I wear almost all of the time. Right now, I'm sporting a pair of Tiffany frames.
I get sunglasses every few years. Being blue eyed, I am very sensitive to bright sunlight, so I always switch to prescription sunglasses before going outside. Since I don't often need to read in sunglasses, I just get my distance lenses in them. If I lost my sunglasses, I'd replace them immediately - they are that critical to me. Some people prefer transition lenses, but I prefer a larger frame for sunglasses than I do for normal glasses.
I have thought about buying online. If you need any measurements aside from the prescription, the site should tell you where to find the numbers on your current glasses.
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Post by lurkingsince2001 on Apr 13, 2017 19:58:46 GMT
I think scratch protection is a must. Many of the places that I've bought from just consider it standard anyway. It's amazing how many times I've scratched my glasses doing something like cleaning them (and not on my shirt or a paper towel either).
Also I have to do polycarb. As one eye doc told me when I was a teen, "otherwise you might as well break a glass Coke bottle and stick it on your face." The heavier the lens the harder on your nose and the worse the glasses look.
As for sunglasses: DH wears 'script sunglasses but I don't bother. They make clamp on shades in nearly every shape and finish imaginable. You just carry them in a case and slip them on when you need them. Less than $20 usually.
I don't have experience buying online, but I do remember several peas doing it and a thread years ago. The ones I looked at a few weeks ago didn't take insurance. Why would I go there then if I have insurance? Also, I'm not crazy about at-home adjustments. We need all the help we can get.
If you are looking at chain places, make certain you know who they are actually owned by, who will really be doing the work, etc.. I prefer places that do it in shop if possible. But lately we've had good luck with Sam's and Costco.
Also, like fashion, frames go in and out of style or the inventory turns over quickly. So if you see ones you like, don't wait. And if you don't see ones you like, check around or come back in a few weeks. I can't tell you how many times I've had trouble finding anything, only to find tons of options just a few weeks later at the same store.
Good luck. Instead of seeing this as getting old, enjoy the opportunity to show of your personality.
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melissa
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,912
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Post by melissa on Apr 13, 2017 20:03:35 GMT
Being blue eyed, I am very sensitive to bright sunlight, This! I have very pale blue/gray eyes. Dh has blue eyes as well, but they are a much darker blue, closer to navy at times. I have always been sensitive to light. And I figured I should at least try the anti-glare as I already have an issue at night without glasses. If it doesn't help, I won't try it again. myshelly, I went to America's Best! I did go with the cheapest deal which was $59 for 2 pairs. One of the first pairs I tried on and liked was from the $59 section. Wasn't hard to pick a frame for reading glasses from there too. So, the only thing missing from the prescription they gave me is the pupillary distance. It seems like that will be on the glasses from what I have been reading, so I will wait until they come in. |
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Post by calgaryscrapper on Apr 13, 2017 20:06:42 GMT
dh has his eyes tested at his eye doctor but goes to Costco and orders his glasses there. I have tried bi-focals but don't like them. You can buy reading glasses for less than 5 dollars at Dollarama. I recently picked out a three pack of reading glasses at Costco for around $20.00. They have a view finder like thing at the display that you look through to determine what strength of glasses you need. The associates in that department are always so nice to us. I talked to them nice and they gave me a free eye glass case.
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melissa
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,912
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Post by melissa on Apr 13, 2017 20:07:58 GMT
The ones I looked at a few weeks ago didn't take insurance. Why would I go there then if I have insurance? Absolutely! We don't have vision insurance. Would be nice, but any insurance I have, I buy myself. |
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Post by stingfan on Apr 13, 2017 20:13:20 GMT
I've now bought 4 pairs of glasses from Zenni optical online - 3 kids' and my own.
We've all been happy with the frames. You upload a picture and try them on virtually. And they've all been under $20.
They show you how to measure the pupillary distance on the website. They also give instructions for adjusting them yourself depending on what the problem is.
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Post by melanell on Apr 13, 2017 20:31:22 GMT
I absolutely get the scratch-coat. BUT bear in mind that I wear my glasses all day every day, taking them off only for a shower and for bed. AND, I won't carry around spray cleaner & a cloth, so I do the old breathe on the glasses and wipe them with your shirt trick. So yeah, I need the scratch coat.  I got the anti-glare once---probably 20 years ago. I hated it so badly I had to go make them take it off. I am sure that it's probably awesome now, but back then it made my glasses very difficult to keep clean. I definitely get the polycarbonate lenses so that my glasses aren't 6" thick! I do not buy prescription sunglasses because I'm cheap. My insurance covers one pair, and without it my glasses area bout 400 bucks, so I don't want to buy 2 pair. I just buy sunglasses that are large enough to go right over my regular glasses! I know many people would rather die, but I'm fine with it. |
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Post by myshelly on Apr 13, 2017 20:38:17 GMT
I have had more issues with the scratch coating than I ever have with scratches.
The one time I had scratch guard put on the lenses it started peeling off. It looked like a sunburn peeling. It was awful.
I'd rather buy cheap glasses so I can buy new ones whenever I want or need. If I lose a screw or my kid bumps into me or whatever.
I've never had vision insurance, so that's not an issue I work with.
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janeinbama
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Posts: 3,257
Location: Alabama
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Post by janeinbama on Apr 13, 2017 20:39:56 GMT
A co-worker got slip over sunglasses at Wal-Mart, not to bad looking and under $25. They are not clip ons. It will take a while to get used to glasses don't jump into bifocals just yet.
I buy locally and have been in bifocals 17 years. AGHHHH. There is a learning curve associated with bifocals, our optician said most people get frustrated after a few days and through them in a drawer, cue DH, until they cannot see any longer, then they wear them. I swore I would not do that and suffered for a few weeks. I still grab the hand rail on stairs.
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PaperAngel
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Jun 27, 2014 23:04:06 GMT
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Post by PaperAngel on Apr 13, 2017 20:44:18 GMT
Our family takes the opposite approach with prescription glasses & get all the bells & whistles, even for the 15 y.o., who's been wearing them for the last 5 years, & on sports goggles. We only buy in person. HTH & you find glasses that you love!
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Post by mirabelleswalker on Apr 13, 2017 20:44:58 GMT
I love Warby Parker. Most of the frames are $99, and with a single correction lens that's the whole cost. That includes all the coatings.
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wasil
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Location: Iowa
Aug 3, 2014 12:59:34 GMT
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Post by wasil on Apr 13, 2017 20:45:00 GMT
I have never had to wear glasses but when I hit 50 I noticed that like many people I was having trouble with near vision. As time went on I finally got to a point where I was having to wear the cheaters for almost everything close, including cooking. It was at this point that I decided I would do better with progressive lens so that I could wear them all the time and not have to take glasses off when I moved around.
I went to an ophthalmologist and got a prescription. Not wanting to spend a lot I shopped around for a good deal. I ended up at Sears optical. I never could get used to those glasses. I had them remade once and still had trouble. Two years later when I went for another eye exam I found out that those glasses were the wrong prescription. The perscription I had previously been given was correct but sears had copied it wrong.
This time I went to a small independent optical shop. The optician spent time listening to me while I explained what I found difficult about my old progressives and she explained how a different kind of lens might help. I had no idea that there were different lenses made by different manufacturers and different labs. I got anti-glare and that helped with the distracting "halos" I saw around lights while driving at night.
Long story short, they were the best pair of glasses! Often it takes days or weeks to get used to wearing progressive lenses but I had none of the problems many people experience. They were more expensive even with our insurance but I still think it was money well spent.
I do have progressive sunglasses, too. I wear my sunglasses whenever I'm outside, driving or even just riding in the car on a sunny day. I find it easier than having to change glasses when I need to read directions, a map or my phone.
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tracylynn
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Post by tracylynn on Apr 13, 2017 20:47:53 GMT
I love my prescription sunglasses. I detest transition lenses. I personally like skinnier eye glasses for wear during the day, and bigger sunglasses that cover my eyes for sun. So for me, it works out well.
I just got an eye exam, 2 pairs of normal glasses and a pair of sun glasses at Costco for $370. I didn't think that was too bad at all.
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Post by pondrunner on Apr 13, 2017 20:51:42 GMT
I started wearing the Crizal lenses because they are anti scratch, low smudge and low glare. They are worth it to me because I am a very active person and they get dirty easily, I like that these are easy care.
I have bought from independent places, LensCrafters, and online but because my face is broad at the temples I prefer to try things on, many frames fit my face poorly.
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basketdiva
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Post by basketdiva on Apr 13, 2017 20:52:48 GMT
We get our glasses from Costco and get some anti-glare because of computer usage. My husband gets rx sunglases and I use a pair of fit-over sunglasses. They com in dozens of styles and are priced from $12 on up.
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AmandaA
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Post by AmandaA on Apr 13, 2017 20:53:40 GMT
Being blue eyed, I am very sensitive to bright sunlight, This! I have very pale blue/gray eyes. Dh has blue eyes as well, but they are a much darker blue, closer to navy at times. I have always been sensitive to light. And I figured I should at least try the anti-glare as I already have an issue at night without glasses. If it doesn't help, I won't try it again. myshelly , I went to America's Best! I did go with the cheapest deal which was $59 for 2 pairs. One of the first pairs I tried on and liked was from the $59 section. Wasn't hard to pick a frame for reading glasses from there too. So, the only thing missing from the prescription they gave me is the pupillary distance. It seems like that will be on the glasses from what I have been reading, so I will wait until they come in. The PD is a huge deal. If it is off even slightly you are screwed. I had new glasses made last year, expensive ones entirely oop. They changed my script too dramatically and I couldn't see well at all. So they remade the lenses (no charge) and "fixed" it. But I still just couldn't wear them. They told me it was just the change in the shape of the lens/frame that was messing with me. So I believed them. I gave it a few weeks and eventually put them in a drawer and gave up on my new $300 glasses. Fast forward a year and I found out my old eye dr was practicing back in town again. I took the glasses with me to see what she thought... turns out the lab had screwed up and the measurements were off. Completely explained the problem. So I had to spend another $200 to get new lenses made. Never going back to office #1 for certain! But that experience would make me especially leery of ordering online when I had problems with measuremenus in an actual office. Polycarb lenses can make a big difference when you have a strong prescription. I have been told that I would be miserable in glass lenses with my eyes. And ITA with the pp about having sensitive light blue eyes. I wear sunglasses in the rain and even at dusk. It was actually a neurologist treating my migraines that gave me that advice and explained eye color affecting sensitivity to light. My DH just doesn't get it either. |
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Apr 13, 2017 21:25:42 GMT
probably depends on your needs... I'm blind as a bat, and have been since third grade. I wear my glasses all day, every day, in order to see ANYTHING. I do have vision insurance, too-- they cover (part of) the cost for either glasses, or contacts, once a year.
Because of that, I have reasons I DO spend the money on the upgrades:
1) super-light plastic. If I got the 'regular' lenses, my glasses would literally be coke-bottle thick and would be waaaaay too heavy to wear comfortably.
2) anti-glare coating. If I didn't get this, you wouldn't be able to see my eyes when you looked at me. I want people to be able to see my eyes rather than the glare off my glasses when they look at me. I already have deep-set eyes, and the really strong Rx in my glasses already makes them smaller than they are, so I don't want anything else exacerbating that issue.
3) anti-scratch coating. My glasses cost well over $300 a pair, because of the Rx and the need for the super-light plastic-- I only own 1 pair at a time. And I have to wear them every day, all day long, in order to see. I do NOT want them to get scratched. No matter how careful I am with my glasses, they do get banged up occasionally. The scratch-resistant coating makes the lenses last longer for me. (I also do the 'huff' on them, then wipe them off with the edge of my tee-shirt' cleaning method, lol)
Currently I don't have Rx sunglasses, because I'm hopeful that I can go back to wearing my contact lenses again. But--
If I can't go back to contacts, I will definitely be getting either Rx glasses that come with clip-on sunglass lenses, or getting a separate pair of Rx sunglasses. My eyes are already sensitive enough from years of wearing contacts, and I think the amount of sunlight here is making some of my eye dryness / irritation worse. (And personally, I've never liked the lenses that change by themselves, so I wouldn't ever get those.)
eta: I've only ever purchased glasses in person-- again, I only have one pair at a time, and I don't want the hassle of anything going wrong with the glasses, Rx, etc. from buying online.
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Post by anniefb on Apr 13, 2017 21:29:50 GMT
I don't get any of the coatings but I always order in person at my optometrist because I know they do a good job re fitting and lens selection. I have quite different prescriptions in my eyes (right eye twice as bad as left) and also wear progressive lenses (multifocal) so it's important to get the various fields of vision in the right place. I also have bad eyesight so go for special high index lenses so the lenses aren't too thick.
If you're wearing glasses for distance and reading and switching between pairs, you might want progressive/bifocal type lenses to avoid that hassle. My experience with switching from single vision lenses (for distance) to progressive lenses was that the best time to transition is when you're just starting to need a reading prescription at the bottom and it's not very strong - makes the adjustment easier and you're less likely to feel dizzy etc.
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Post by chaosisapony on Apr 13, 2017 21:51:17 GMT
I've been wearing glasses since I was a kid and I have a higher prescription. For me, the polycarbonate and ar coating are very helpful and I hate glasses without those features. Your mileage may vary.
I work for an optometrist now and have ordered glasses online in the past too. Generally speaking you get what you pay for but if you're not picky there are some good deals to be had.
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georgiapea
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Post by georgiapea on Apr 13, 2017 21:59:04 GMT
I just bought 2 pair of frames from Frames Direct for about 330. For the 2. I'll have my new Rx put into them locally. I've also submitted my Rx to the on line sales site and been very happy with the results.
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moodyblue
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Jun 26, 2014 21:07:23 GMT
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Post by moodyblue on Apr 13, 2017 22:54:40 GMT
I have progressive lenses. They are polycarbonate because they are so much lighter in weight. I like the anti reflective coating and the scratch resistant coating. I get mine from a local optometrist's office. I have clip-on sunglasses that fit over and match the shape of my regular glasses fairly well.
I also have a pair of prescription reading glasses with the coating that filters out some of the blue light from screens. I find the single vision glasses better for reading in bed or lying down on the couch or whatever. I can't do the drugstore cheapies because I need different prescriptions for each eye.
I have vision insurance but it doesn't cover all the costs of the "extras" - it does discount them so it brings the cost to me down quite a bit.
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melissa
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Post by melissa on Apr 14, 2017 0:26:23 GMT
Thanks everyone!
I've learned a lot with this one post. I wasn't even aware of "wear over" sunglasses. Completely ignorant! LOL. I will have to check those out too. Might be a good solution for now. Dh was also concerned about me spending a bunch on prescription sunglasses because I am well known for losing sunglasses. I have multiple pairs that I keep everywhere and yes, I do lose them, but when I buy them relatively cheaply, I don't care. If I spend more, I imagine I will pay much more attention to what I do with them. And, tbh, I think I really just need them for the car anyway so my cheaper ones are just fine for everything else.
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 21:47:20 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2017 1:20:03 GMT
- Scratch protection, polycarbonate (thinner) lenses and anti-glare are a must for me.
- I normally order transition lenses for my distance glasses, but they no longer get dark in the car since I upgraded the window tint to a high UV protection/heat resistant film. This time I'll just order a pair of prescription distance glasses.
- I used to order from Zenni Optical online. However, I found out this year the will not replace the lenses in frames I previously purchased from them and they still sale the same frames - they want me to buy everything all over again.
- I have a box with Warby Parker frames sitting on my desk. The frames are nice but each pair of glasses are going to cost me ~$150 after pricing out single vision, thinner lenses, and tint for computer glasses. When you need two pair (distance and reading/computer) it adds up.
- I also wear a pair of mono-vision contacts so I don't want to spend a lot on glasses since I switch back and forth (contacts vs glasses).
- I am going to check out Americas Best this next week and see if I find frames I like.
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melissa
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Posts: 3,912
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Post by melissa on Apr 14, 2017 19:17:48 GMT
The frames are nice but each pair of glasses are going to cost me ~$150 after pricing out single vision, thinner lenses, and tint for computer glasses. When you need two pair (distance and reading/computer) it adds up. Yes! It all adds up when you start adding everything on. From what I've been researching in addition to here, it seems like the more expensive lighter/thinner lenses are a must for those with stronger prescriptions and not a necessity for the lightest prescriptions. Also key for kids who drop their glasses, play sports, etc. I am probably at the lowest end of the midrange prescriptions, so probably not worth the expense at this time. Will definitely have to comparison shop if I decide I want progressive lenses at some point. Already shopping around to price sunglasses but I am going to try the "wear over" glasses first. |
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Post by hop2 on Apr 14, 2017 19:57:04 GMT
I have to get the poly carbonate or trivex lenses else my head will fall over from the weight of my glasses!
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Apr 14, 2017 23:24:22 GMT
^^^ I know the feeling! odd thing- my older brother had coke-bottle glasses all his life, practically... he just had cataract surgery in both eyes, and they installed corrective lenses into his eyes- so he just passed his drivers eye test with no glasses at all! I think that's just crazy! (in a cool way, lol.)
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Nanner
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Post by Nanner on Apr 15, 2017 0:09:10 GMT
I have been wearing glasses for about 45 years.
I get anti scratch and anti glare. Both are well worth it to me. I get prescription sunglasses and find it well worth the cost.
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I feel totally out of my element as a non-glasses wearing person for over 50 years! 
