Online Eyeglasses

[Tatala]

I would try the new higher index glass lenses, a little heavier not like the old glass lenses. BUT in your line of work no other option will work as far as scratches.They will last you 2-3 years , without scratches.... Scratch resistance coatings they are hyped would to be an option , glass is the way to go, to cut down the weight choose the smallest frame you can tolerate, OR try the newer Titanium frames with less weight.
Summary: Titanium metal frame with glass lenses ,I hope this helps

[LISD]

"Zenni gets a lot of praise but has no MBG, so they would be a non-starter for me."

Zennis return policy is hard to find, but after some looking I found it:

https://www.zennioptical.com/c/regence- ... 20issuance.

"30 Day Return. You will have thirty (30) days from the date of delivery of your order to return items included in the applicable order. If you are not satisfied with eyeglasses you have ordered from us, you may return those eyeglasses for (a) a one-time-use 100% store credit (excluding any amounts you have paid for shipping, taxes, and/or Fast Frame Delivery), or (b) a fifty percent (50%) refund (excluding any amounts you have paid for shipping, taxes, and/or Fast Frame Delivery). "

I just priced some progressives. Costco and Walmart were both in the $450-550 range (the best progressive lens with transition, and the frame), Zenni was $220. So if I don't like the Zennis, I'm out $110 at most, which isn't a catastrophe. Walmart has a fully refundable policy (which I've taken advantage of in the past), but I would pay double the Zenni's (i.e., an extra ~$250).

With Zenni it seems I could order 3-4 frames only (no lens), return all of them for a full store credit (less shipping), then buy progressives with my favorite frame with the store credit. That way I would know I like the frame, for the minimal cost of shipping. Or in the wost case, that I don't like any of the frames, I would again only be out the shipping costs.

[marc in merrimack]

"Zenni gets a lot of praise but has no MBG, so they would be a non-starter for me."

Zennis return policy is hard to find, but after some looking I found it:

https://www.zennioptical.com/c/regence- ... 20issuance.

"30 Day Return. You will have thirty (30) days from the date of delivery of your order to return items included in the applicable order. If you are not satisfied with eyeglasses you have ordered from us, you may return those eyeglasses for (a) a one-time-use 100% store credit (excluding any amounts you have paid for shipping, taxes, and/or Fast Frame Delivery), or (b) a fifty percent (50%) refund (excluding any amounts you have paid for shipping, taxes, and/or Fast Frame Delivery). "

I just priced some progressives. Costco and Walmart were both in the $450-550 range (the best progressive lens with transition, and the frame), Zenni was $220. So if I don't like the Zennis, I'm out $110 at most, which isn't a catastrophe. Walmart has a fully refundable policy (which I've taken advantage of in the past), but I would pay double the Zenni's (i.e., an extra ~$250).

With Zenni it seems I could order 3-4 frames only (no lens), return all of them for a full store credit (less shipping), then buy progressives with my favorite frame with the store credit. That way I would know I like the frame, for the minimal cost of shipping. Or in the wost case, that I don't like any of the frames, I would again only be out the shipping costs.

Zenni no longer offers a frames-only option.

[Heian]

There is NO reason for eye glasses to cost hundreds of dollars!

Those of us who need progressives still are at about the $400 price point.

Speaking of progressives, are those who get those from Warby Parker and Zenni happy with them?

I have had 5 eye surgeries, both cornea and retinal and have had 7 different script changes in the last 5 years. Had I gone the traditional route I would've gone broke.

If you find a frame that fits you which you can get online you can then get the lenses at replacealens.com or lensesrx.com. Sign up for emails and they will usually give you 20 to 30% off every month. If you have progressive lenses there is an app (eye measure)that somebody can snapshot a picture of your eyes and it will give the optician the proper segment height and pupillary distance..

[Gort]

So I tried a pair of Zenni progressives, but they aren't working out. Need custom vertical segment height whereas Zenni has a one size fits all progressive. When driving I have to point my head at the dashboard and look over the top of the glasses. I wish my optometrist had told me to get the segment height measured instead of "progressives are tricky, make sure you can return them".

Warby Parker in store supposedly offers custom segment height so I will go visit the one near me and I'm assuming Costco does too. I like the online sites because I can see the dimensions of the frames and focus in on the few that will best fit rather than going into a regular B&M optician where there are hundreds of frames without any organization. We don't currently have a Costco membership so not sure what the user experience of shopping for frames at Costco is. I have a narrow head, high nose, and need progressives which seems to put me into 1% of the available frames and it becomes hunt and peck to find those few frames that are the right size.

Looks like for me price formula is 4 * Zenni = 2 * Warby Parker = 1 * local optometrist.
I was hoping the Zenni's would work out and I would get different pair for home, exercise, and a spare if one breaks but not to be ...

It's disappointing because the $29 Zenni frame is the best fitting and most comfortable frame I've ever owned (although I can tell its life expectancy is unlikely to be 3 plus years at least for the specific frame model I chose - I'm gentle with my glasses for the most part but the Zenni frame feels "cheap" compared to my existing Warby Parker and optometrist glasses).

Not the optometrist's fault if you are doing the purchase elsewhere. What he told you is correct.

[stan1]

So I tried a pair of Zenni progressives, but they aren't working out. Need custom vertical segment height whereas Zenni has a one size fits all progressive. When driving I have to point my head at the dashboard and look over the top of the glasses. I wish my optometrist had told me to get the segment height measured instead of "progressives are tricky, make sure you can return them".

Warby Parker in store supposedly offers custom segment height so I will go visit the one near me and I'm assuming Costco does too. I like the online sites because I can see the dimensions of the frames and focus in on the few that will best fit rather than going into a regular B&M optician where there are hundreds of frames without any organization. We don't currently have a Costco membership so not sure what the user experience of shopping for frames at Costco is. I have a narrow head, high nose, and need progressives which seems to put me into 1% of the available frames and it becomes hunt and peck to find those few frames that are the right size.

Looks like for me price formula is 4 * Zenni = 2 * Warby Parker = 1 * local optometrist.
I was hoping the Zenni's would work out and I would get different pair for home, exercise, and a spare if one breaks but not to be ...

It's disappointing because the $29 Zenni frame is the best fitting and most comfortable frame I've ever owned (although I can tell its life expectancy is unlikely to be 3 plus years at least for the specific frame model I chose - I'm gentle with my glasses for the most part but the Zenni frame feels "cheap" compared to my existing Warby Parker and optometrist glasses).

Not the optometrist's fault if you are doing the purchase elsewhere. What he told you is correct.

Sure, it wasn't wrong but it could have been more helpful and maybe he could have convinced me to buy the glasses from him if he gave me a better reason why I should. He has hundreds of frames with no organization and no way for me to find out which ones will fit my head other than trying many of those on. Frames of all sizes are mixed together randomly so not a very good customer experience. I've pointed this out to him and he just shrugged his shoulders. I entered what I was looking for into the Warby Parker site and have a list of 5 frames to try on when I go to the store, plus many of their frames come in several sizes (M/L/XL) which are clearly identified on the website.

[Gort]

So I tried a pair of Zenni progressives, but they aren't working out. Need custom vertical segment height whereas Zenni has a one size fits all progressive. When driving I have to point my head at the dashboard and look over the top of the glasses. I wish my optometrist had told me to get the segment height measured instead of "progressives are tricky, make sure you can return them".

Warby Parker in store supposedly offers custom segment height so I will go visit the one near me and I'm assuming Costco does too. I like the online sites because I can see the dimensions of the frames and focus in on the few that will best fit rather than going into a regular B&M optician where there are hundreds of frames without any organization. We don't currently have a Costco membership so not sure what the user experience of shopping for frames at Costco is. I have a narrow head, high nose, and need progressives which seems to put me into 1% of the available frames and it becomes hunt and peck to find those few frames that are the right size.

Looks like for me price formula is 4 * Zenni = 2 * Warby Parker = 1 * local optometrist.
I was hoping the Zenni's would work out and I would get different pair for home, exercise, and a spare if one breaks but not to be ...

It's disappointing because the $29 Zenni frame is the best fitting and most comfortable frame I've ever owned (although I can tell its life expectancy is unlikely to be 3 plus years at least for the specific frame model I chose - I'm gentle with my glasses for the most part but the Zenni frame feels "cheap" compared to my existing Warby Parker and optometrist glasses).

Not the optometrist's fault if you are doing the purchase elsewhere. What he told you is correct.

Sure, it wasn't wrong but it could have been more helpful and maybe he could have convinced me to buy the glasses from him if he gave me a better reason why I should. He has hundreds of frames with no organization and no way for me to find out which ones will fit my head other than trying many of those on. Frames of all sizes are mixed together randomly so not a very good customer experience. I've pointed this out to him and he just shrugged his shoulders. I entered what I was looking for into the Warby Parker site and have a list of 5 frames to try on when I go to the store, plus many of their frames come in several sizes (M/L/XL) which are clearly identified on the website.

Good points. Sounds like the optometrist needs to get better organized. Good luck on your search.

[Tatala]

A Doctor of Optometry these days knows very little about glasses. His main concern is making sure your eyes are healthy, treating eye diseases, and making sure your visual prescription is correct.
As far as the actual eye ware is concerned consult your local optician . Who is supposed to be an expert on eyewear. Good luck

[LISD]

"Zenni gets a lot of praise but has no MBG, so they would be a non-starter for me."

Zennis return policy is hard to find, but after some looking I found it:

https://www.zennioptical.com/c/regence- ... 20issuance.

"30 Day Return. You will have thirty (30) days from the date of delivery of your order to return items included in the applicable order. If you are not satisfied with eyeglasses you have ordered from us, you may return those eyeglasses for (a) a one-time-use 100% store credit (excluding any amounts you have paid for shipping, taxes, and/or Fast Frame Delivery), or (b) a fifty percent (50%) refund (excluding any amounts you have paid for shipping, taxes, and/or Fast Frame Delivery). "

I just priced some progressives. Costco and Walmart were both in the $450-550 range (the best progressive lens with transition, and the frame), Zenni was $220. So if I don't like the Zennis, I'm out $110 at most, which isn't a catastrophe. Walmart has a fully refundable policy (which I've taken advantage of in the past), but I would pay double the Zenni's (i.e., an extra ~$250).

With Zenni it seems I could order 3-4 frames only (no lens), return all of them for a full store credit (less shipping), then buy progressives with my favorite frame with the store credit. That way I would know I like the frame, for the minimal cost of shipping. Or in the wost case, that I don't like any of the frames, I would again only be out the shipping costs.

Zenni no longer offers a frames-only option.

True, but they offer basic lenses for either free or minimal cost.

[AerialWombat]

The New York Times has a rating service called Wirecutter and it rated EyeBuyDirect and Zenni as the two best online services tested.

I recently purchased two pair of glasses from EyeBuyDirect, after doing an online eye exam to get a new prescription. I am very pleased with the value of the frames and lenses.

[jebmke]

A Doctor of Optometry these days knows very little about glasses. His main concern is making sure your eyes are healthy, treating eye diseases, and making sure your visual prescription is correct.
As far as the actual eye ware is concerned consult your local optician . Who is supposed to be an expert on eyewear. Good luck

That’s been my experience. Talking to the optometrist about optics gets me nowhere. The opticians know. The optometrist even admits it; when I asked a question about eye relief and curvature of lens for use with binoculars, his short answer was “talk to Kim, she knows this stuff better than I do.”