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May Need Glasses Soon. How To Get Affordable Prescription Glasses?
- Thread starter SOLDIER
- Start date
My prescription:
Jesus, why are opticians' handwriting so atrocious...
Okay, so you've got a quarter diopter of astigmatism in your right eye, and sweet fuck all else. ("PL" stands for "plano", or "no prescription".) That amount of astigmatism is maybe just enough to feel like one eye is slightly hazy -- depending on how sensitive you are to it -- while not impeding your ability to function in any way whatsoever. It's possible you've never actually even noticed it.
As for that mess under "additional specifications"...
-- The first line is trying to sell you on very expensive lenses that are absolutely not warranted in any way, shape or form.
-- Second line is, "Or, ya know, just some reading glasses with an antireflective coating. If you want to be cheap about it."
-- Next two lines are the reading glasses prescription. Looks like +0.50 in both eyes, I think(?). Or it could be two poodles and a chihuahua having a threesome. (This fucking handwriting...)
So, yeah. The actual prescription is so nonexistent as to be unnoticeable. (Assuming that it actually exists. My eyes can vary by that much from prescription to prescription, because they're squishy meat bags full of goo. Come next examination, that astigmatism scrip could vanish.)
The reading glasses prescription is real, but low enough that I'm pretty sure they don't even stock those in brick-and-mortar drug stores. If it weren't the COVID end-times, I'd say go to the store and try a set of +1 readers to see how they feel. (They're stronger than you strictly need, but your eyes are only going to get older...) Instead, you can try ordering some off Amazon, I guess... (Less than $20. For a 5-pack. They have leopard-print.)
OP
OP
If I only require a generic OTC brand of glasses, is there a particular pack from Amazon you could recommend?
There's a bunch being sold there at $20 and under, but they also have magnification strength (1.0, 1.5, 2.5, etc). When you say +1 do you mean 1.0 is what I should look for?
A whole bunch of them are also branded as blue light glasses, but according to you that's a scam?
Not speaking for myself, but I'd recommend Costco. My Mom broke her glasses, like the piece that connects the two broke in half, and the person there literally replaced for free. The glasses also have been great for my Mom.
They're all cheap, which is kind of the point. Pick a style you like that doesn't seem like outright garbage. Personally, I'd go for 1/2 or 3/4 -height wire rims -- something lightweight and easy to look over when you want to glance at something in the distance. And, I'd probably get as cheap as possible, since this is to assess fit and function. But you do you.
Well, your scrip is for +0.50 power. Most(?) of those Amazon listings should have a drop-down box to select the correct strength. Find yours and go for it.
Nobody with a medical degree has ever been desperately worried about my exposure to dangerous levels of free-floating blueness. However, there's been an endless parade of opticians -- who barely need more than a highschool diploma -- hawking overpriced plastic at me to save me from the scourge of blue. I'm going to take a shot in the dark and assume that all those years of extra schooling counted for something...
Warby Parker is EASILY your best choice.
Lots of choice, great customer service, flexible online and in-person try-ons, and one of the most affordable places I've seen. My last four or so pairs I've gotten from there have been perfect. The frames and lenses are both quality.
I know this reads like some ad, but it's true. Go to Warby Parker, OP.
Lots of choice, great customer service, flexible online and in-person try-ons, and one of the most affordable places I've seen. My last four or so pairs I've gotten from there have been perfect. The frames and lenses are both quality.
I know this reads like some ad, but it's true. Go to Warby Parker, OP.
I think Jamesways is right, they probably suggested bifocals (fancier versions of which are known as progressives). They are glasses where the magnification that helps with reading is along the bottom edge, and the prescription for viewing distances is at the center and top of the lens, so that you can do as you say and just glance down when reading. If you don't have much of a prescription for distance, then you'll practically be getting glasses that do nothing in most of the lens and have a small bit of magnification along the bottom. Separate reading glasses could accomplish the same thing, but you'd have to remove them occasionally.
I agree with the others that you shouldn't worry about blue filtering or branded kens technologies. Reading that website about Eyezen+ doesn't even say what they do. It is really just a marketing ploy to get you to buy a certain brand. You should focus on finding lenses that are anti-UV and anti-reflection. You'll find other things about fancy new light weight thinner lenses, but even that you won't need as it's only for really strong prescriptions where thick, coke bottle lenses are needed. Yours will already be thin and light just because it's such a low prescription.
My optometrist recommended steering clear of bifocals as long as you can if your distance sight is fine and you only need magnification for reading and monitors. He said they can make your vision worse in the long run.
He suggested reading glasses and each year after 45 or so bump up the magnification if needed. Eventually bifocals are needed but save the money and early on if you can.
It was like clockwork for me though, I hit 41 and bam, blurry excel sheets.
Did you try F.lux ? Someone I know from another forum uses it to have a very (very) warm screen 24/24 and she was really happy with how her eyes were less stressed after a day working on her computer.
f.lux
Software to warm up your computer display at night, to match your indoor lighting.
justgetflux.com
OP
OP
Giving these a shot, arriving Saturday.
They all seem about the same but this got the most reviews, which is usually my metric for quality Amazon shopping.
They all seem about the same but this got the most reviews, which is usually my metric for quality Amazon shopping.
OP
OP
The pair from Amazon arrived yesterday, and it's a definite improvement. Came with their own cases and cleaning cloths, a great value as usual.
The only minor annoyance is that I have to push them back up often, as I have a habit of tilting my head when I move around (on account of being tall). Much as I personally enjoy doing the anime gesture of cooly pushing the glasses back up, I was wondering if I should maybe get the same glasses with built-in nostril pins, or whatever the official term is.
A family member told me the pins cause irritation overtime as well as dent your nose, however, so I'm asking again for opinions about that.
The only minor annoyance is that I have to push them back up often, as I have a habit of tilting my head when I move around (on account of being tall). Much as I personally enjoy doing the anime gesture of cooly pushing the glasses back up, I was wondering if I should maybe get the same glasses with built-in nostril pins, or whatever the official term is.
A family member told me the pins cause irritation overtime as well as dent your nose, however, so I'm asking again for opinions about that.
Too bad you already bought something, because I was going to say based on this post you sound like the kind of person that would give bonus points to Japanese things, and it just so happens that Japan's equivalent to Warby Parker started selling glasses online in the states: https://www.jins.com/us/
(I'm sure the glasses they sell are probably made in China)
As posted above in a video, you just need to adjust the glasses to get them to fit right. The nose pads (nostril pins) don't help hold them up, that is done all by the arms. Typically you need to make sure the arms press in slightly against the side of your head, as if they're gripping your head.
Note that they do not need to "hook" your ears. While that can help, that's not usually the best way to make sure they stay on well.
EDIT: Here's a pretty good guide. https://www.feelgoodcontacts.com/eye-care-hub/how-to-tighten-my-glasses
This is the thing I do. Typically do a buy 1 get 1, and get a pair of prescription sunglasses as my second pair.
This is the same for me.
my prescription lens and frames would run 300 at most stores. I only pay 60-80 each glasses I get from zenni. Use the honey or capital one shopping extension to get codes added to save you more money.
I've used Warby Parker in the past and had a good experience. For my current pair, I browsed the frames at the optometrist and ended up seeing some I liked—$450, just for the frames. I took note of the brand, and found them online for $150. Then I took them to Costco with my prescription and got them to put lenses in—I think that was around $50–100, but I don't recall exactly.
The optometrist will give you a whole pitch about why an expert optician is important for a good fit and whatnot, but it's mostly just a high-markup revenue source for them. Beyond having your Pupillary Distance measurement if possible when ordering online (opticians can be annoying about giving that up), understanding the measurements of frames can help. All frames are measured with three numbers in millimeters—length of stems, width of eyepiece, width of bridge—usually printed on the inside of one of the stems. If you have an existing set of frames that fit well, you can reference those numbers and find something will similar dimensions when browsing online. That can help ensure you get something that fits without having tried it on.
The optometrist will give you a whole pitch about why an expert optician is important for a good fit and whatnot, but it's mostly just a high-markup revenue source for them. Beyond having your Pupillary Distance measurement if possible when ordering online (opticians can be annoying about giving that up), understanding the measurements of frames can help. All frames are measured with three numbers in millimeters—length of stems, width of eyepiece, width of bridge—usually printed on the inside of one of the stems. If you have an existing set of frames that fit well, you can reference those numbers and find something will similar dimensions when browsing online. That can help ensure you get something that fits without having tried it on.
so I was thinking about buying some glasses from Zenni but my PD is 69.5 and all the options are in whole numbers. Should I go with 69 or 70 🤔
The glasses I got from eyebuydirect broke and the replacement they gave me (had to pay for shipping) broke the same exact way so I'm not trusting them anymore. Their plastic quality is horrible.
I got one from Kits since the first pair is free (pay shipping again) and it's been pretty good. Kinda wish I could order another free pair but it's locked to one per address. Definitely a solid alternative to Warby Parker or maybe Zenni (never tried either though)
I got one from Kits since the first pair is free (pay shipping again) and it's been pretty good. Kinda wish I could order another free pair but it's locked to one per address. Definitely a solid alternative to Warby Parker or maybe Zenni (never tried either though)
I always go on the lower end seems to work out with my rectangle like glasses. So 68 in my case when I measured 68.5
I'll agree with the other poster but add that a difference of 1 or 2 in PD has never been noticable for me. Anecdotal, of course, but I'd suspect it's true for most folks. So, go up or down a half point and either way, I bet you'll be fine.
Tried 'Kits' due of their "First pair free!" promotion. None of the frames I tried (all of which were in their "first pair free compatible list", mind) would work with my prescription - and I looked at a bunch of them.
I have been religiously using Warby Parky for a good 5 years now, no complaints, great quality and the customer service is top notch. My prescription is fairly normal so i dont need thicker glasses, but my wife does use the high index. 1.67 ones and that was only a 30 dollar upcharge.
Warby also lets you use some insuranes as well which you can check here:
www.warbyparker.com
Warby also lets you use some insuranes as well which you can check here:
Insurance | Warby Parker
How do you use vision insurance at Warby Parker? It’s easy—promise. Select your provider below for details on how to apply your insurance to prescription eyeglasses, prescription sunglasses, and eye exams.
www.warbyparker.com
Thanks for this thread and discussion everyone, it's timely for me. I decided to buy some computer glasses to wear when I'm working. I wear contacts all day since I'm strongly near-sighted, so overlaying glasses with a mild power reduction (eg: +0.5) is recommended to reduce eyestrain. At the eye doctor they're charging like $125 for a pair, but I'll give Zenni a shot. The same glasses are like $20 so it's hardly a risk.
They're hit and miss. I️ get two pairs when I️ order since I've had a couple pairs show up that don't work and considering it takes a few weeks I️ get a backup. Something to consider depending on how bad your eyes are
Huh, that's a bit concerning. What do you mean by "don't work" exactly? I mean, was the prescription totally wrong or something? Does Zenni take care of the situation and give you a refund?
Well, I already ordered two pairs of glasses last night, so I'll just have to deal with whatever shows up.
They just didn't feel right. I'm guessing the prescription was off. It's only happened twice but I've been ordering glasses from them for years. Overall I've been pretty happy especially for the price.
How do you guarantee the glasses will fit your face, shopping online?
I'm tired of paying $500-$600 a pop because my eyes are fucked (-11 prescription with astigmatism), my lenses are 90% of the cost at the optometrist, as I have to get the high density type lenses so they aren't as thick as my finger. I take advantage of B1G1s so it works out to $300 a pair, but if online can be cheaper I'm all for trying it out this year.
My current specs are holding on with guerilla glue and a prayer.
Can people with eyes like me do online, or is this more for people with basic needs?
I'm tired of paying $500-$600 a pop because my eyes are fucked (-11 prescription with astigmatism), my lenses are 90% of the cost at the optometrist, as I have to get the high density type lenses so they aren't as thick as my finger. I take advantage of B1G1s so it works out to $300 a pair, but if online can be cheaper I'm all for trying it out this year.
My current specs are holding on with guerilla glue and a prayer.
Can people with eyes like me do online, or is this more for people with basic needs?
Some places do home try-on. They will ship the frames and you try them on at home. Some of the lesser expensive websites don't offer this, but EyeBuyDirect offers a 14 day exchange period.
I use Zenni and PayneGlasses mostly. They're so cheap, even if a frame doesn't fit well, I don't care about wasting a few bucks. The glasses I'm wearing right now were like 10 bucks total, for example. I usually buy two or three frames at a time. I'm also at the point where I know which frames will fit good based on their measurements.