The optometrist recommended seamless bifocals. I have a very painful nerve condition in my face (atypical trigeminal neuralgia), so this is what I need with glasses: the lightest weight frames possible- known as ultra light- with the lightest weight lenses possible and automatically darkening lenses so I don’t need the weight of sunglasses. The cheapest frames brought the total to $250 on the site the insurance worked with.
The frames are $20 on the cheap site. Everything else in the cost is the lenses.
As for why I have to buy them online- I don’t want anyone touching my face unless it’s absolutely necessary. The exam was painful enough.
American for-profit healthcare is fucking awesome.
I’m honestly not sure which frustrates me more. That teeth and eyes are not considered important enough aspects of health to be covered under normal health insurance. Or the shit insurance that’s available even when you pay for additional policies to cover them.
IIRC it’s because there isn’t really much of a point to add those to insurance. With health insurance some people will need very expensive treatments but lots of people don’t. It works because you spread the risk over many people. The people who don’t need expensive treatments pay more than they would without insurance, the ones that do need those treatments pay a lot less. Since you don’t know which one of those you will be insurance is a good idea.
With dental and glasses this is not the case. There isn’t too much variation in how much a person will need to spend on those during their lifetime.
If you get additional insurance for either you’ll see that the maximum payouts are pretty much the same as what you pay extra during the same period. You might as well just put the money in a savings account.
There isn’t too much variation in how much a person will need to spend on those during their lifetime.
Presbyopia literally means “old eyes” and the risks of periodontal disease increases roughly linearly with age and closer to exponentially if your a long term nicotine user; to name but one example for each.
They eyes are also often the first place to (outside of specific blood tests that are not routinely run) see signs of diabetes, thyroid disease, and certain types of brain tumors. The mouth is the leading cause of sepsis. So both are important for people of all ages from a preventative medicine standpoint.
The lack of coverage of teeth and eyes in standard health insurance is because of dentists and optometrists opting out when insurance was becoming a thing.
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I understand your frustration. This sucks major league. I know a fairly cheep German glasses company who ship worldwide (production for most glasses worldwide is Thailand, that’s where the company gets their products as well). They’ve got a very generous refund policy as well. If you want to, I can pm you their website.
Please do, thank you.
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Got it. Thanks!
The international (english) site is: Glasses24.com
Can you please post that here publicly so everyone can benefit?
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Can you pm me the link as well?
Unless they hiked up their prices or went out of business in the past 2 years, the link should be grand.
If you need help regarding navigation around the website or how to put in the data for the glasses, please let me know.
I buy from glassesshop, I think the cheapest pair is $50 for frame and lenses. I went all in on the thinnest lenses and transitions, I think it was $150.
Target optical does vision tests for $75 IIRC, and I go there to get a prescription that I give to glassesshop and pick up a cheap pair and a nicer pair. Still not free.99, but much cheaper than other routes without insurance.
Okay, I’m going to go against the grain here and say “Don’t go with the really cheap online glasses”.
I used eyebuydirect, Zenni, and a couple of others for many years, and was pretty happy with them, especially for the price. However, one thing I’d always noticed is that they’d wind up being pretty beat up with some large scratches in the coatings, or they’d just fail and start flaking off by around the 1 year mark (I’m pretty hard on my glasses, tbf) and I absolutely had to get new ones. I just kind of accepted that I was very hard on my glasses, and that’s what happens.
However, I started going to Costco just because my insurance wouldn’t cover any of the online places, and the quality of the lenses and coatings are absolutely night and day. I’ve had 10 pairs now (sunglasses and normal lenses), and only had one with a single scratch in the lenses, after having them go flying across a cement floor due to me doing something quite stupid.
I don’t think you need a membership for their optical center either, but I’m not 100% sure.
I’ve had the exact opposite experience. Last time trying glasses at a local place, they hurt my eyes and couldn’t figure out how to adjust them properly. Every pair I’ve purchased on Zenni has lasted multiple years of me sleeping in them or doing contact sports in them. I still have multiple pairs kicking around my house or car as spares.
…you sleep with them on? How?
I do this quite a bit too. I can fall asleep insanely quickly, so sometimes I’m just chilling on the couch watching something, and then I’m out. Then when I wake up I have to go digging through my couch to figure out where the heck my glasses went
See that’s the weird part. They stay on my face. I’ve always been a restless sleeper, and I think I just hated waking up blind and disoriented, so I learned to keep them on when asleep.
I’ve been making an active effort to not do so the last… Couple of years I guess. It’s a bit more comfortable when I remove them, but I’d say maybe half the time I still just forgot to take them off.
I don’t know, I have since I was a kid. My eyes are REALLY BAD so I think I just hated waking up blind and disoriented, so I just learned to sleep in them.
I recently went for glasses and eye exam. Near sighted with astigmatism, and now I need bifocals on top of it. Bifocals with line aren’t common now so doctor suggested progressives. I’m fine with that.
I’m also a special kid who can’t wear polycarbonate lenses because I’m hypersensitive to chromatic aberration. So need Trivex lenses as well. Throw in an anti-glare coating and my cost (with insurance) is like $460.
The sad part is given my needs and how few carry Trivex in my area, I consider it a decent deal.
That’s insane. I’m really sorry to hear it.
Don’t be. I’m fortunate to be able to afford it comfortably, and it’s just part of the cost of living to me. In my 40s now and been wearing glasses since I was 10yo.
I’m just happy I’ll be able to read fine print and see stuff close again without needing to take off my glasses.
I am from cheap part of Europe. While you can get glasses for 20 Euros, with those kind of requrements 250 sounds about the same.
I guess some countries might get prescription, but I doubt “light frame and light lenses with darkening” would qualify.
Basically, what I have found out since I posted this is that glasses need to be cheaper everywhere.
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Expensive lenses are expensive. My glasses also cost about $350 after insurance covers them. I go for all the expensive lenses and digital lens tech because my prescription is quite strong and it improves quality of life, but my vision could be corrected with the basic stuff.
Maybe your doctor can make the case to your insurance that these are medically necessary to be so lightweight. Otherwise, the improvements are a nicety, not a necessity.
Except in every other Western nation, where they aren’t expensive.
You sound very entitled.
Why are medical care/devices less expensive in other places, such as Europe? In large part because taxes are so high. US taxes are relatively low, meaning a different economic system and personal financial planning strategy.
My spouse is from a European nation with high taxes. It’s not all roses there. There are pros and cons to each system.
Also, see the other comment from a Scandinavian person. They seem to contradict your sentiment.
My spouse is from a European nation with high taxes. It’s not all roses there. There are pros and cons to each system.
Cool. I’m thousands of dollars in medical debt. The ‘cons’ I always hear are the long wait times. I’ve had to wait months to get procedures done here in the U.S.
One of the cons is that even with the taxes and long wait times, you often still have to pay a lot.
Besides, I gave a suggestion above about working with your doctor to make the case about medical necessity. Have you tried that?
Edit: medical debt is also dischargeable through bankruptcy, which is not to be undertaken lightly, but may be something for you to consider.
You sure don’t in Canada.
And yes, my case is very medically necessary. Without going into details because plenty of people have heard them way too many times, I’m close to one year without eating any solid foods.
That is on top of the neuralgia, which is mostly dealt with, but still requires me to see a neurologist. She can only see me twice a year. She’s also the only one in town.
Oh, and we have supposedly good insurance.
Cool how you’re comparing that to the U.S. which will have all those costs on top of the care Canadians don’t have to pay for. Not at all dishonest.
I would say $250 is fairly cheap, in Scandinavia you can easily pay $1000+ for special lenses.
For me the cheapest with okay quality costs $500 for a deal with two pairs from SpecSavers.
I’m an ABOA advanced optician, I’ve helped with lens designs, I’ve made my own line of frames, worked with every insurance company, and know the technical details of virtually every product on the market.
If it’s going to cost the same either way, do not get the online glasses. The 250 in store is discounted from probably 1200$, and the difference is immediately noticable.
The online glasses will not be measured to fit you properly, the focal point will be a best guess, which makes progressives have a ton of distortion, the frame won’t be adjusted and have no standards of material and shitty spring hinges, the transitions will be an old off brand composited lens that will delaminate after some time, the antireflective will be the cheapest, smudging crap possible, and the lenses will be thicker and heavier.
Go to a local optical, not any chain you’ve ever heard of. No corporate execs to pay means actual paid professionals helping you see better, as opposed to collision salesman trying to rip you off.
Online glasses are for single vision rx’s for children, not anybody who really needs glasses.
the frame won’t be adjusted and have no standards of material and shitty spring hinges
They’re the same frames sold in physical stores, though
the transitions will be an old off brand composited lens that will delaminate after some time the antireflective will be the cheapest, smudging crap possible, and the lenses will be thicker and heavier.
My old glasses that I don’t even wear anymore are 7 years old and never had issues and still aren’t delaminated at all, never had issues with smudging or glare
Go to a local optical, not any chain you’ve ever heard of. No corporate execs to pay means actual paid professionals helping you see better, as opposed to collision salesman trying to rip you off.
And yet you still spend way more than you would at somewhere like Zenni. So you’re getting ripped off for someone lower down the ladders benefit… Yay?
Online glasses are for single vision rx’s for children, not anybody who really needs glasses.
Complete bullshit. Not surprised that someone “with their own line of frames” would encourage people to go the pricier route, though.
I don’t feel like quoting or typing out responses, so I’ll just hit your points.
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No they’re fucking not. Not even close. There’s 200+ different manufacturers, and even individual lines from the same companies have wildly different qualities. I would know, since I work with them every day, go to several trade shows every year and didn’t get my info from Google.
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Survivorship bias, and you just noted you don’t wear them.
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This point is attempting to imply there is no difference in products, which there absolutely is.
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My line of frames is not a “big name”, and was only sold in 54 offices in 4 countries when I had them manufactured in 2021. There is no benefit to me for anyone to go to any store other than the two I own, you’ll never bump into my line, which I don’t make money from anyway.
I’m glad you watched a video once, but this is my profession and I know better than you.
No they’re fucking not
Nice source. Yes, they are.
Survivorship bias, and you just noted you don’t wear them
Holy shit dude, anymore. They survived 6 years of wearing. I’ve been using glasses off the internet for over 10 years as have 3 other people I know, it’s not survivorship bias if over 10 pairs of glasses haven’t had any of these issues you mention.
This point is attempting to imply there is no difference in products, which there absolutely is.
You’re right, the brand name glasses I used to wear have never lasted as long as my Zennis
I’m glad you watched a video once
Or I’ve ordered them and wear them regularly. Nice assumption though.
but this is my profession
So you’re incentivized to keep the bullshit going? Well, I should definitely trust you!
and I know better than you.
Clearly not, as you said a bunch of shit would happen with these glasses that, again, I’ve never seen despite my and my wife both having our entire family order glasses online for the last 8-12 years (mine 12, hers 8ish). Oh, and friends as well for about the same amount of time.
If you can’t tell the difference in quality between zenni and OvvO, lool, or paradigm frames, you’re willfully ignorant. I wouldn’t expect someone who only gets glasses online to know this since you have no experience. I however do.
As for issues with lenses, I see 25 patients a day, and have for the last 12 years. I’ve seen a few more cases than you and your wife, or even you and your friends.
Your opinions are not equal to my education and experience. I am literally an authority in this industry.
I’ve designed frames and vetted manufacturing plants to find one that fit my standards for materials. I make lenses everyday. I troubleshoot and fix or replace eyewear everyday. I know what happens when a focal point is off center by 3 mm. I can tell when someone is wearing online glasses just by how the temples fit.
There are a few very large companies that benefit greatly from pushing the idea that they’re all the same, and you’re shilling for them whether you know it or not.
wouldn’t expect someone who only gets glasses online
What part about “none of my online glasses have been any worse than the designer frames I got before” did you not read?
Your opinions are not equal to my education and experience. I am literally an authority in this industry.
Keep telling yourself that. So far you’ve only been a high on your own farts cunt spouting total bullshit. Frankly with how little of anything you’ve given but “but but but but I’m such a PROFESSIONAL” ive begun to think you’re a LARPing 13 year old
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Man, I wish this was always true.
Here in BC/Canada, our healthcare doesn’t cover glasses, and our 3rd party providers only cover $2-300 every 2 years for glasses.
My last job had a $500 yearly flex-spend coverage, which I used to buy $600 glasses (mainly lenses cost-wise) with all the options/coatings/transitions/blue light filter/etc from the local eye clinic, and honestly the lenses are not great, and after less than 3 years the coating is bubbling in horizontal lines across the entire lens.
Honestly though, been regretting getting glasses with the blue light filter for the past 2 years anyways, nothing feels vibrant anymore and i swear it has been negatively affecting my mood, and i have noticed zero difference in eye strain levels.
Blue light filters have a purpose, but it isn’t eye strain. That’s just marketing bullshit from people who don’t know it’s purpose or can’t be bothered to translate it to laymen.
It’s purpose is to protect your retina from damage that accumulates throughout your life. It’s to protect you from developing macular degeneration. It does nothing anyone will notice, it’s more like sunblock, except you can’t feel the burn.
Also if someone sells you shit products, go to someone better if possible. But avoid chains at all costs.
So life loses vibrancy, but my retinas stay in slightly better shape when I’m 80? Sounds like future me problem then, definitely have no interest in trying again with a different pair after my next eye exam.
Unfortunately every eye doctor in this province (or at least not a 13 hour drive away) is associated with a chain, with I think a single exception that is referral only. So the best I can do is get an eye exam, demand my detailed results, and do my best to order glasses that fit comfortably.
Wait, the blue tint actually does something? Everyone kept telling me to get it because sCrEeNs BaD but I wanted the clearest vision possible. Couldn’t find anything online saying the blue tint wasn’t useless so saved myself the $30.
Just wear sunglasses when outside and you’re good. Or get transitions and never think about it again.
Fucking Stanton and Warby Parker advertised $45 for 2 pairs… But you can only actually get that price if you don’t actually need lenses. These two (and probably all others advertising similar prices) are just fucking scams.
Costco is pretty good, my glasses were like $105 or $110 and they’re perfectly fine for me
$250 for glasses like that is very cheap. I also have bifocals, not the thinnest lenses either, IIRC they were one step up from the standard ones. A light frame but nothing special, the frame was like €100, the entire set of glasses was around €650. The lenses only have a cylinder in them; no prisms or anything like that. If you need more complicated or stronger/thin lenses they can easily go over €1000.
Even if you have the optional insurance for it, that doesn’t really help you. The amount they cover is basically the same amount you pay for the additional coverage. You’re better off putting the money in a savings account earmarked for your next set of glasses.
Also, if you need anything but the most basic single focus lenses without any cylinders or prisms, get them at a real optician. The online store can’t properly measure where to place the lenses in the frame (they need to be properly centered in front of your pupils).
When i submitted the invoice for my safety glasses at work -$750- they just blinked
Yay the conglomerate that owns glasses production and distribution.
It’s not just the US, Essilor is a virtual monopoly.
That said, my glasses are 50% less online than at a local shop.
Also, thank insurance companies for inflating prices
Essilor monopolizes lenses, Safilo monopolizes frames – neither offer direct sale
Why is it always luxottica
If you have a membership, check out Costco. They often have really good prices on this sort of thing.
