Has anyone purchased prescription eyewear online

James

James

Member
Location
Canada eh
The prices for prescription eyewear from optometrists is ridiculous [at least around here]. It certainly makes online purchases appealing.

Has anyone tried this, and if so how did it turn out?
 

I did once but never again. I got new glasses last year and then decided I wanted some sunglasses with the exact same frames and prescription. I found them online for a much better price than local, so I sent in my Rx and the other measurements specific to my lenses. The glasses came in a couple of weeks and were "OK" but never exactly right. I can see with them but it seems to take my eyes a while to adjust to them (progressive lenses).

The online company allowed for one or two adjustments and even a refund, but I didn't want the hassle of shipping the glasses back and forth so I just deal with it. I don't wear them very often so they work OK but I can definitely tell the difference in the adjustment of my locally-purchased original pair.

I'm getting new glasses in a couple of weeks and will get Transitions photo-gray, so I will only need ONE pair. I will buy them from a local optometrist.
 
C'est Moi said:
I did once but never again. I got new glasses last year and then decided I wanted some sunglasses with the exact same frames and prescription. I found them online for a much better price than local, so I sent in my Rx and the other measurements specific to my lenses. The glasses came in a couple of weeks and were "OK" but never exactly right. I can see with them but it seems to take my eyes a while to adjust to them (progressive lenses).

The online company allowed for one or two adjustments and even a refund, but I didn't want the hassle of shipping the glasses back and forth so I just deal with it. I don't wear them very often so they work OK but I can definitely tell the difference in the adjustment of my locally-purchased original pair.

I'm getting new glasses in a couple of weeks and will get Transitions photo-gray, so I will only need ONE pair. I will buy them from a local optometrist.
Click to expand...

That's what was concerning me, the adjustments. Last pair I got from the optometrist I think I was back a half dozen times before we got them right.
 
C'est Moi said:
I did once but never again. I got new glasses last year and then decided I wanted some sunglasses with the exact same frames and prescription. I found them online for a much better price than local, so I sent in my Rx and the other measurements specific to my lenses. The glasses came in a couple of weeks and were "OK" but never exactly right. I can see with them but it seems to take my eyes a while to adjust to them (progressive lenses).

The online company allowed for one or two adjustments and even a refund, but I didn't want the hassle of shipping the glasses back and forth so I just deal with it. I don't wear them very often so they work OK but I can definitely tell the difference in the adjustment of my locally-purchased original pair.

I'm getting new glasses in a couple of weeks and will get Transitions photo-gray, so I will only need ONE pair. I will buy them from a local optometrist.
Click to expand...

Ces't Moi, just curious, did you send the online company a copy of your pupillary distance number (the distance, measured in millimeters, between the centers of the pupils in each eye) as well as the Rx? If so, I was wondering if it was just going from light to dark.
 
RadishRose said:
Ces't Moi, just curious, did you send the online company a copy of your pupillary distance number (the distance, measured in millimeters, between the centers of the pupils in each eye) as well as the Rx? If so, I was wondering if it was just going from light to dark.
Click to expand...

Yes, I had to send them all of those numbers, RR. I expected them to be exactly the same as my originals but sadly they are not. I even specified that the same type/brand of lenses be used. (You probably know that there are many different lens manufacturers.) I can wear them but they are just enough "off" to be annoying, especially when I swap one pair for the other. I think the progressive lenses just need too much "tweaking" or something.
 
NEVER ! I'd buy them from my eye doctor. I only have two eyes and I don't want anything

BAD to happen to either one of them. I wouldn't want brain surgery done via "on line" either.
 
When I first transitioned from just reading glasses to a full set for reading and distance, I bought the progressive lenses and never did adjust to them. When my prescription changed (after a few years) I went to bi-focals and, for me, they were a distinct improvement. The first set was from BJ's and the second from Vision Center, who are affiliated with Walmart, or are at least located in some of their stores.

And my complaint with the progressives was not with BJ's quality, I just could not be comfortable with the gradual transition in the lenses.
 
I have. Zenni.com. I got them from Zenni at the suggestion of my ophthalmologist, no kidding. She and those on her staff all got theirs from Zenni. I was very happy with them and recommended them to my son. He got his from Zenni. No problems whatsoever. Mine are bifocals, and IIRC, I spent less than $50 all in.
 
Yes, I did a few years ago. While the glasses were what I wanted, there was something ‘off’ about them. I rarely wear glasses so I’ve just put up with them. Would I purchase glasses online again? Na.
 
My old Dad had Macular Degeneration in his later years, and I saw how that hampered his activities. I go to the eye doctor for a very thorough exam every year, and take a couple of supplements for the eyes....so far, so good. I get top of the line lens and frames....thin polycarbonate progressive anti glare lens, with a good scratch coating, strong titanium frames with a saddle nosepiece, etc., etc. Between the VSP insurance, Medicare, and the deductibles, I figure on paying about $500 a year for eye "maintenance". That, IMO, is well worth the cost to maintain good vision. Vision and hearing problems sure can mess up a person's life. I don't think I would put much faith in something so critical online.
 
For those who are saying "go to the eye doctor," buying eyeglasses online requires a PRESCRIPTION. So you still have to see your eye care professional for the eye exam. You can get an eyeglass prescription filled in many places; an optometrist, Costco, Sam's Club, Walmart, and many online sellers.

My father also had macular degeneration and I do not miss my annual eye exam.
 
Yes, of course a prescription is needed...I thought that would go without saying. I mentioned that mine are bifocals. My son's are progressive. When ordering online, Zenni's website gives detailed instructions about filling out the forms and also has a feature that lets you "try on" frames on a headshot of yourself so that you can see what they'll look like.
 
Just got new glasses and sunglasses as did my husband @Costco.. excellent exam, great prices, wonderful service !! I’ll never go elsewhere !


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I also just had a full eye exam and purchased glasses at Costco. This is my second set from them. This set had a problem with the height of lens (progressives) at a point that it transitions into the long-range or distant lense. I walked in told them I was having trouble adjusting to the glasses, they looked at the lens, checked the prescription and order me new glasses. Had them in 2 days and all was good. Good company to deal with.
 
I haven't yet but am considering it next time, last time I went to Eyeglass World because they had a sale on, I forget the exact amount but thinking two pair (regular and sun) should have been around $200. Of course the frames they were offering at the sale price were crap, so I did upgrade them somewhat. When all was said and done my total came to over $500. Never again, I would have waked out but was heading out of town and needed the glasses.
 
I have purchased my glasses from Zenni.com and have been more than happy with them.

You MUST provide all the numbers required and do NOT guess at any of them or your lenses will be all sorts of wrong.

You can get all numbers from your eye Dr.

They service is great, fast and accurate. And the prices can not be beat.

I have referred quite a few people to Zenni and all except one were thrilled with the end result.

The one who was unhappy .. well she didn't get the PD from her eye Dr and just guessed .. you can't do that .. you need to have the right number.
 
I never tried online shopping of prescription glasses online, but recently my sister was facing the vision problem, so she consulted the optometrist to get checkup and power for the glasses. Once she got the power for the glasses, she ordered the glasses from this source, where she got the best quality eyeglasses according to the her vision need.
 
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After 4 trips to the eye doctor I am buying from zenni. My first visit i went to sams and got progressives. They were wrong. I loved the glasses but found out it was the prescription as well as the way the reader part was placed. Then returned them got my money back. I went back to the eye place got a new prescription and bought their cheapest readers i could get. Still wrong prescription. Went back next week saw a different doctor and he did a completely different prescription. I got news lenses in my cheap frames. I can see.

But i was not comfortable with the fact i had to keep going back. So i saw a med eye doctor. Although very small I have cataract in both eye and maybe start of glucouma. I will see the doctor in about 3 months to see how its going.

Anyway, doc told me bifocals is what i need to have in my oil painting craft. So i looked at warby parker and bifocals were 295$ almost as must as if i bought them from a optometrist shop.

I ended up ordering,them from zenni and they should arrive this week. $83.46 and if i love them I will buy single vision, more readers. I hope the prescription is right. Im concerned about it. I will post my results.
 
Pauline I hope you are very happy with your new "eyes". I still purchase from Zenni and have never had a problem. I wear progressive lenses and am very happy with my purchases.

Let us know if you like them !
 

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