Buying glasses on line

**cooliemae** · 09-10-2013, 06:49 PM

I have bought two pairs of glasses online and have really liked both the glasses and the process. I used eyebuydirect.com. It allows you to upload a picture of yourself and "try on" the glasses. My insurance is absurd so that if I were to go to a physical store, it would pay for the frames and not the lens, so I would end up shelling out quite a bit of money in order to glasses. However, because of my rural location, I can buy glasses wherever I want and am reimbursed for the cost.

So between upromise, coupon code, and insurance I only had to pay about $40 for my glasses. Now I will say that eyebuydirect's glasses (at least frameless ones I have bought) have larger screws holding the lens/frame together. I like this fact (as opposed the rivets that my other frameless glasses have used) because I can tighten the screws over time (especially with my 2 year-old messing with them).

**MonkeyMama** · 09-10-2013, 08:22 PM

I was actually really skeptical about buying glasses online, but did give it a try.

I bought from Zenni Optical about 3 years ago, so my glasses are 3 years old? 2 or 3? I actually measured my old glasses to get a feel for the dimensions I wanted, and ended up with something quite comparable. It wasn't the easiest way to shop for glasses but saved me at least $100+. These were only $20-ish, but have been by far the highest quality glasses I have ever owned. (I was never one to go cheap on glasses, and might have had my last pair of glasses for 7 years - these will easily last as long).

What I learned is that eyeglass prescriptions don't tell you the PD, but the websites walk you through how to measure (distance between pupils). I figured I got it close enough. When I go in for my next eye exam I will ask them to measure for me.

I believe I initially tried Zenni for the sunglasses, but was so impressed that I bought regular glasses. What I really wanted was not to spend $200+ to own a pair of sunglasses that I could actually see out of.

In the end, I was sold on regular glasses too. (I didn't necessarily mind spending more money for glasses that I wear every single day for several years).

**feh** · 09-11-2013, 06:26 AM

There have been many threads on this subject over the years. I suggest you do a forum search for "zenni"

**WISEWOMAN** · 09-11-2013, 06:43 PM

Thank you for your input. I find having choices makes for a better decision. Glasses are outrageously expensive. I found a pair I like at my optometrist but when I looked at the price of the frames ($640), I said "oh hell no!"

It's a piece of plastic people!

**BuckyBadger** · 01-16-2016, 05:12 AM

I use zenni, as does my husband. After seeing our glasses executive, my dad is going to order a pair, too. Love them.

**FLA** · 01-16-2016, 12:52 PM

Before I had a detached retina and ended up with a prescription that costs $1800 without the glasses, I used Zenni. It cost me more than the usual Zenni customer because my prescription was strong but they were still like $65. I saw better out of them then my expensive ones.

this blog is helpful last time I had to buy:

Online Eyeglasses: How it works.

http://glassyeyes.blogspot.com/2007/10/online-eyeglasses-how-it-works.html

I recall the beginning of my search for online eyeglasses, and the confusion I had. How would I know that they'd look good on me? How do I r...

**FLA** · 01-16-2016, 12:58 PM

Originally posted by MonkeyMama View Post

What I learned is that eyeglass prescriptions don't tell you the PD, but the websites walk you through how to measure (distance between pupils). I figured I got it close enough. When I go in for my next eye exam I will ask them to measure for me.

getting this number (it comes from the optician measuring you for glasses, not your eyeglasses script from the doctor) is the holy grail. This number is closely guarded even if you negotiate and say, "I'm buying glasses here, I just want to buy a cheap pair for backup." No one would give it out. Having spent thousands on glasses at my eye place because of my wonky script, I became friendly with one of the woman and she slipped it to me. But it can be done on your own, I just felt better having it from a professional

the blog above tells you how to measure it

**BuckyBadger** · 01-17-2016, 09:25 AM

I once said that my work place needed my PD because they provided me with prescription safety glasses for lab work. You're all welcome to use that excuse!

**FrugalFish** · 01-19-2016, 09:39 AM

I got my PD a few years ago when I purchased glasses at a Sears store. My RX was not from them, but I purchased glasses there, and they put the number on the order, of which I had a copy.

When I decided to buy online this last time, DH double checked the number by bringing in some digital calipers and lining them up with my pupils.

I bought glasses through 39dollarglasses . com. Everything seems quite nice about the pair I bought, though I do have to admit I have not worn them extensively. They were $89 delivered -progressive lenses and metal frames (about a year ago). The reason I have not worn them a lot is because the eye doctor suggested I try progressives as near vision begins to decline, but I'm still wearing glasses mainly for distance vision and just don't need the full gamut much of the time. I'd definitely try 39$ again though.

Buying glasses on line