Author |
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Whoami
Member
08-03-2001
| Wednesday, March 01, 2006 - 5:14 pm
I'm looking for an inexpensive pair of glasses. Inexpensive, but not exactly cheap. What I mean is, since vision care is important, I wouldn't want to go to a "back alley" kind of place that wouldn't do a very good job. Also, I've a bit of history of waiting a good 5-10 years before I break down and get new glasses. Part of it is procrastination, but lately is just plain old good old fashioned finances. So, I'd like to have at least a somewhat decent looking frame since I'll be "stuck" with them for 5 years or so. And since I have to wear my glasses all the time, its not an option to hide them in my purse until I "have" to see. I'd like to know if anyone has had good/bad experiences with some of the places like Sears, LensCrafters or Wal-Mart. Also, in the Denver area at least, I see ads for "free eye exam, and two pairs of glasses for 69.95" In fact, HERE's the website that advertises that. Now, they may be a valid option, but I cringe a bit at the "too cheap" thing, with an underlying skepticism of "too good to be true" thing (like maybe the only frames to choose from are neon green rhinestone studded plastic or something ). Also, their nearest store for me is 25 miles away. Which would be very difficult to get to cause A) leaving my Mom alone for that amount of time/driving distance worries me and B)I'm a coward of a driver and it just plain makes me nervous to think of driving to an unknown area that far away. Anyway, I don't need to rule them out automatically. Especially if anyone here has done business with their company and can give me good reviews. I also would like to know good/bad experiences with the special tint that makes glasses go dark in the sun, light indoors. When I got my current glasses (at Sears), I asked about them, and the sales lady was very negative about them. One of the things I remember her saying was they don't go dark inside a car with tinted windows. And since driving is the main reason I need sunglasses (and my windshield is slightly tinted), I opted out of having my glasses do that. A few weeks later, I went back and got some prescription sunglasses instead. My insurance at the time allowed for a second pair, so I opted with the sunglasses instead of just a back up pair. Thinking about it now, I just wonder if that's what she was wanting me to do, buy a whole new pair of glasses, rather than just paying a little bit extra for that special tint. One other question for bifocal users. I'm pretty sure I'll be needing bifocals this time around. I was "borderline" last time, but I declined the notion. Now that I have to take my glasses off just in order to read something, I guess its time to face the music. LOL. I know it takes getting used to wearing them, but my big question is, how is it when you're driving? It seems like the two fields of view would be very disconcerting. I know I'll ask the eye doctor about it when the time comes, but I thought I'd also ask those who have experienced it first hand. If I were to find an inexpensive place to get some prescription sunglasses, should I go with just a single prescription "distance reading" or use the exact same bifocal prescription as the normal glasses? My vision status is that I can't see far away, and see better up close. I guess what I'm imagining is that I'd be driving along in the distance vision part of the glasses, and then glance down at the speedometer or something and have my vision thrown off or something. I've never worn bifocals, so I really don't know what to expect. Of course, if I just find some sort of off the rack sunglass attachment to put on the normal glasses, then I guess I'll have to get used to driving with bifocals anyway! Thanks in advance for all your input!
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Rosie
Member
11-12-2003
| Wednesday, March 01, 2006 - 5:28 pm
Whomum, I wear bifocals. The first day wearing them was weird. It is hard to explain because I have forgotten exactly why it was weird but it was like the floor was coming up to me. Only took me one day to get used to them tho. Mine are blended (I think that is the term?)and cause me no problem at all with reading or driving. That is all I know.
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Landi
Member
07-29-2002
| Wednesday, March 01, 2006 - 5:37 pm
i wear bifocals (new to me this year). and i have bifocal sunglasses also. it only took me a couple of days to get used to them. mine are not blended cuz my prescriptions are totally different from each other for regular and reading. i have optical insurance, so i can't be much help for you there. also if you see the ad, it says bifocals 2 pairs were $99.99
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Mak1
Member
08-12-2002
| Wednesday, March 01, 2006 - 6:03 pm
Who, I got the transition type lenses for driving, even though the eye doctor warned me they do not work in a car with tinted windows. They don't darken at all in my car, or only slightly. I wear some cheap clip-ons, which I had hoped to get away from. Another annoying thing is that when I go inside after being outside in bright sunlight, it can take quite a few minutes, 5 to 10 probably, before the lenses lighten enough to be able to see well inside. Like Rosie, it only took me a day or two to get used to my bifocals. I remember the eye doctor's assistant told me to be especially careful going down stairs until I got used to them. It is an odd sensation at first, like the floor slanting funny or coming up at you. They have never bothered me when driving. It was an adjustment to read, watch tv, etc., tilting your head just right to see through the correct part of the lense. Like I said, though, it only took a day or two. The type of lense I bought is called progressive. It doesn't have the visible line. The eye doctor said though they cost more, they are easier for most people to adjust to. If I had any trouble adjusting within 30 days, he would have let me trade them in for the other type of lenses. I don't know if that's standard or just his policy. My dh bought some glasses with progressive lenses at one of the optical places in the mall. They were running a special sale similar to what you posted. The sale price didn't include bifocal lenses, tinting, or anything extra, so just be sure to check it out first. I noticed a lot of small print on the ad at the link you posted, such as "offer includes single vision plastic lenses" "FT28 bifocals only 2 for $99.95. Some restrictions apply."
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Ddr
Member
08-19-2001
| Wednesday, March 01, 2006 - 7:46 pm
Who, I'm famous for running over my glasses with my car, lol. The last set I got were at Eyewear Express, 2 pairs $100 (not bifocals). I've gotten lots of compliments on them, they're kind of funky. http://www.visionforless.com/
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Seamonkey
Moderator
09-07-2000
| Wednesday, March 01, 2006 - 7:57 pm
One thing you have to get used to with bi/trifocals is when going downstairs because you are looking through the bottom/closeup part of your glasses. As for the transitions type lenses.. I has transitions and an earlier version and often they simply don't get dark enough and eventually the look diffrent, not clear. I had clipons that went with my first pair of frames that are Silhouette and are almost indistructible can be flattened or twisted, etc.. but the clipons turned out to be way to finicky to get on and off, so much so that I thougt they were dangerous while drving. So next prescription when I changed lense shape I didn't get the transitions (darkening) or clipons but I have a pair of glasses I got from a catalog that fit over my glasses.. they are designed to do so. There is something similar called Cocoons. They work very well and even protect from the side from sun/UVA/UVB.. But I don't have info about bargains. I like mine because of the flexibility and also how incredibly light they are, since I have a really strong prescription in one eye. I also thought that with graduated lenses (close, intermediate, distance AND a strong presc that I couldn't wear the smaller lenses but the optician explained that this wouldn't be a problem and he was right.
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Landi
Member
07-29-2002
| Wednesday, March 01, 2006 - 9:00 pm
who, you can see me in my bifocals in the bon jovi thread. they aren't big at all!
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Mameblanche
Member
08-24-2002
| Wednesday, March 01, 2006 - 9:31 pm
I have trifocals and they are tiny, and once you get used to them, they are a dream. But people are correct. Watch out for stairs. You have learn to bend your head to look down properly. Also I used to wear glasses that almost ate my face they were so huge, so it was a shock to go from that to these tiny ones. I hate my eyebrows and used to kid myself that nobody would notice them behind the big frames. And so when I switched to the tiny frames (quite a few years ago), I felt so exposed, but I learned to wield a mean eyebrown pencil and most days I'm okay. LOL I truly love my tiny frames and would never change them as long as they last. I wear thick lenses, but its not a problem. I dropped them a couple of times and one lense popped out but the optician put it back in for me and its been fine ever since. THat's my story and I'm sticking to it. <G> Like Landi, my pic is also in the travel thread, if you want to take a gander.
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Seamonkey
Moderator
09-07-2000
| Wednesday, March 01, 2006 - 10:07 pm
RMAO!! Didn't we all have those hug atemyface glasses at one point? Mine cannot pop out because they really aren't frames, just the nosepiece and sides and theyu are strongly attached. Also NO little screws to come out. My last actual frames had that problem and I'd have the little screwdriver to keep tightening, but sometimes life is too busy and stressful and I just remember the day my Dad died I walked into the parking lot of the hospital and plink! gone was the blasted tiny screw, never to be found. I had to find an open optician and he kindly put in screw for free. So, I love my frames. As for eyebrows..one word. Bangs.
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Mameblanche
Member
08-24-2002
| Wednesday, March 01, 2006 - 11:26 pm
Now I'm ROFLING Sea...! My hair is normally very wavy, and I've tried to have bangs but they go everywhichway BUT the direction they are supposed to go in, and look totally rrreedikooloss on me. They actually look like cowlicks in the FRONT of my head. LOL.
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Juju2bigdog
Member
10-27-2000
| Wednesday, March 01, 2006 - 11:46 pm
Whoami, my gut instinct tells me the cut rate place would probably be okay. I see it is a nationwide chain, and there are two stores within 100 miles of me. Two things I would do - 1. Google the internet and discussion groups (whatever they call usenet nowadays) and see if people are complaining about them. 2. Verify that the eye exams are given by professionals licensed to give such exams and that they have the proper diagnostic equipment. I have an annual eye exam which is partly paid for by my insurance, so it works out to about $45 out of my pocket. Last year I noticed ads for a local eyeglasses place that had opened up in my town. I think it was two pairs for $70, bifocals slightly higher. I wear bifocals for everyday, and I also have "computer glasses" for viewing my computer screen, since neither the distance nor the reading portion of my bifocals is right for looking at a computer screen. Like you, I am more comfortable reading with my glasses off. Even with the bifocals I often take my glasses off if all I am going to be doing is reading. Anyway, cheap glasses. I went and looked at them. I think the lenses are all made at the same place regardless of where you buy the glasses. They will probably try to sell you upgrades and depending on how rough you are on your glasses, you might want to consider the scratch proofing. I am very careful with everything I own. I don't scratch my glasses, don't even wear out clothes. It is just weird. So I didn't get the scratch resistant, just the lenses they offered for the low price. Frames seemed to be in the perfectly normal looking range and a large variety. Took me a long time to pick my two pair out because there was so much choice. So I got two pair, one bifocals, one computer glasses (when they give you the eye exam, you can tell them if you want computer glasses, and they will give you a separate prescription for them, no charge). Going on a year now, both pairs of glasses are holding up fine. Sunglasses - I have had prescription sunglasses in the past, both bifocals and single vision for long distance. Both are kind of a pain in the butt. I was constantly changing out glasses or whipping them off to read something. I could read the instrument panel through the distance only vision glasses just fine, even though I normally look at it through the bottom of the bifocals. I finally settled on the clipon sunglasses that are spring loaded, non prescription, and have been using those for a few years and am happy with that. Once again, I am very careful and precise with everything I own. The guy who sold me the glasses said he doesn't recommend the clipons because he has seen a lot of glasses ruined by people carelessly dragging the clipons on and off. That is not an issue for me, although I suppose it could happen someday. Bifocals - same thing the others said. You feel VERY weird the first day and then the weirdness is over. Stairs are always a concern, but you learn to adapt to that as well. For me, I found that the line of the bifocals fell right where the stair appeared in my line of vision, so the stair could become blurry. I adjusted to that by always holding onto the railing and by angling my head down further when going up or down stairs, so that I was looking at the stair through the far vision portion of the glasses. After a while it becomes an unconscious thing. I wouldn't worry a lot about the bifocals. You will do fine.
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Seamonkey
Moderator
09-07-2000
| Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 1:14 am
Bifocals are a piece of cake and if you get blended there is no line to look around. I also am at the point where I take my glasses off altogether to read closeup, which is actually great for reading in bed because should I fall asleep I don't have glasses on. My ophthalmologist said if I had Lasik, then I'd need just reading glasses. No money for that and I've had glasses since fifth grade, except for the years I wore contact lenses. So, probably no reading glasses for me.
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Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 3:40 am
I have gotten several pairs at Lenscrafters and been very pleased. They also do free adjustments and repairs. I had the progressive lens and HATED them!!! you don't have perphial vision when you drive so you must completely turn your head, not just glance over your shoulder..drove me crazy. My doc wants me to do the two different contacts (one near and one far sighted) he says my brain will adjust...keep asking him, 'do you know my brain????' I also think most lenscrafters have an optomotrist attached to them. They also always have coupons in the paper.
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Costacat
Member
07-15-2000
| Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 8:30 am
Tex, the monovision contacts can be a ROYAL pain to adjust to. It took me a couple of months. I stopped wearing them when I was working 12 hour days, and I've yet to start back up. I need to give myself some time to adjust again. Also, they are difficult to wear when driving at night. The contact for close up vision tends to create an aura around lights. So headlights coming at you have an aura and that can be quite disconcerting.
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Karuuna
Board Administrator
08-31-2000
| Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 8:32 am
Ugh. I tried the monovision, and apparently my brain is not that adjustable. I got tremendous headaches even after just wearing them for an hour. I have contacts to help me see at distance, and I wear reading glasses to see more closely. While I seem to almost constantly misplace my reading glasses, it works for me.
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Wargod
Moderator
07-16-2001
| Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 10:47 am
I'll repeat what I said somewhere else the other day, I can not say enough good things about Lenscrafters. Having a boy at 5 needing glasses, we have had many glass emergencies and each and everytime Lenscrafters has gone out of their way to repair what he's broken and done it in ways that have saved us a lot of money. I was sure when I took his glasses in broken in several pieces we'd have to buy a new pair, but not only did they fix the broken pair, they didn't make us buy the warranty because they weren't sure they could fix them. That's another thing I like about them over other places we've gone, you don't buy the warranty til something happens to the glasses and then it's good for a year from that point on, rather than buying the warranty when you buy the glasses. Plus you can almost always find coupons or sales that really cut down on the price. We have a friend who's three year old daughter wears glasses and she has the tint. When we saw her pair we thought they were awesome, lol. The tint didn't turn dark, it turned pink and they were so cute. When I took Caleb to get his, I asked about the tint. It was an extra $25 but it was worth it for several reasons. 1. His eye dr wanted him wearing sunglasses or tinted because he thought some of Caleb's headaches could be caused by bright light and 2. the school has a dress code policy that forbids sunglasses. The tint turned out to be the only way he could have the darker glasses and not have the school confiscate them when he was out on the playground. It's also pretty convienient that he doesn't have to switch back and forth between two pair. After reading the posts here yesterday about tinting not working in a car with tinted windows, I had to check him out this morning, lol. They weren't as dark as they are when he's standing outside but they had darkened up enough in the car he wasn't squinting with the light. They transition from dark to clear in about a minute when he walks inside, slightly less time going from clear to dark when he walks outside. He loves them too which makes it totally worth it. As he's gotten older he's gotten to the point that he wants his glasses to stand out as little as possible, plain simple metal frames, nothing flashy or big. We were kind of surprised that he did like the transition lenses, because as soon as he steps outside people who haven't seen them before get in his face to check them out cuz they're cool. Seeing the legnths he's gone through the last two years (he will stand in the store trying on frames for hours)to find the pair that stands out the least and seeing him really like a pair that calls attention to them as soon as he steps outside is almost shocking.
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Whoami
Member
08-03-2001
| Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 4:46 pm
Lots of great feedback so far. Thanks! You know, I'm hoping I'll have a slight advantage in the "going down stairs" thing as a new bifocal user. All those years marching in drum corps, where we were constantly screamed at to not look at the ground while we marched has taught me to look up and ahead of me as I walk. And I've noticed I do that on stairs too. Somewhere along the line I picked up the habit of counting my steps on the stairs so I know where I am. Of course that doesn't help if I'm on a stairway I'm unfamiliar with! LOL. At any rate, its nice to have the heads up how stairs can affect a new bifocal user. And really, with my cantankerous knees being what they are, I take steps one and a time, slowly and hanging on dearly to the handrail as it is! That cut rate place is still an option. Just don't like that its so far away. And of course if they dilate my eyes, driving all that way back is even scarier! I'm starting to get a good vibe towards LensCrafters based on comments here. I actually decided to call the last two doctors I remember visiting to see if I could get a firm date on how long its been (since they always seem to ask you that). One office was helpful and nice but didn't have records back "that far." Too bad Mom had a bad experience with that doc and neither of us would ever go back to him! The other office (Sears) also didn't have records that go back "that far," and the guy who answered the phone was pretty condescending about how it was obviously time to get an exam (yeah buddy, I know that, that's why I'm researching) and then he started pressuring me into making an appointment "right now" (sorry, pal, I'm still only researching, and your attitude isn't exactly inspiring me to call you back when I am ready). I'm not even considering contacts. Since I have to sneak up on myself to even put in an eyedrop, I shudder and cringe at the idea of putting something like a contact in my eye on a daily basis. Besides, I think they're probably more expensive. Can't say I've ever heard of the monovision contacts. I don't think my brain would go for that at all! I would soooo love to get lasik! Maybe when I win the lottery some day. LOL. Seriously though, if I can't even get near my eyes with an eyedrop, I don't even want to think of letting anyone near me with a laser! Ack! One guy who got it told me they don't even knock you out. OK, then you better strap me down good AND sedate me, cause my whole body is going to put up a fight, whether I want it to or not!
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Karuuna
Board Administrator
08-31-2000
| Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 5:22 pm
Who, if you want to come to my town, I have two very dear friends (husband and wife) who are opticians. And I'd be happy t to chauffeur you if you need it!
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Whoami
Member
08-03-2001
| Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 5:37 pm
Sounds like a good option Kar! If they're not too expensive! I know Mom's optician is great, but her exams are 108$ (as opposed to the 60-80$ range I found at Sears/Wal-Mart/LensCrafters). That's okay for taking Mom to, since she has Medicare. But I have nothing in the way of coverage (caregiving pays nothing, and no insurance either. LOL). Its all out of pocket. Your town isn't too far away I think. As long as I know the addy, and can look on my map and find a nice "back way" to get there. Even if I was brave enough to dare the interstate, my car shimmies to varying degrees starting at about 55mph (depending on the road), so I don't even try to take it on the interstate. Question about dilating eyes. Its been so long since I had an exam. Is it hard to see to drive back home after you get dilated? I know they give ya silly sunglasses to wear on the way home. But I really don't remember if I even drove the last time I came back from an exam.
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Costacat
Member
07-15-2000
| Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 5:46 pm
Yeah, Kar, it really took some time to adjust to monovision. I'd even find myself squinting out of one eye or another (to see distant or close). I really gotta see if I can wear 'em again.
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Abby7
Member
07-17-2002
| Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 6:37 pm
who, i can agree w/some above about LensCrafters. i think a few years ago, i asked about glasses for dh...right here at TVCH. as usual, got great information. he's been using LensCrafters since then. our insurance covers part of cost for glasses, but i think we got a better deal with LC w/o using our insurance.
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Whoami
Member
08-03-2001
| Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 6:49 pm
*gulp* I just saw LensCrafters online catalog. Most frames were in the "just under 200$" range. That may rule them out right there. And I didn't see any frames I could see myself wearing. All the frames I saw online were thick and dark and bold looking frames. Not at all the kind I'd see myself wearing on a daily basis. Hopefully they'll have a better (and less expensive) selection in the store. I guess I'll have to stop by and browse them in person. I've already done that at Wal-mart. And while I didn't immediately see a frame that that jumped out at me and said "that's ME," at least they had a fair sized selection under 100$. LensCrafters and Sears are in the same mall here in Longmont. So at least I can hit them up and see what they have in person during the same trip.
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Justavice
Member
11-22-2005
| Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 7:14 pm
I have one of those Entertainment books for 2006 that has tons of coupons for everything. There is a coupon in there for Pearle Vision for $75 off one pair of glasses (biofocals, No-lines included) or $150 off 2 pairs. There is also a coupon for LensCrafters for $75 off one pair or more including bifocals and No-lines. If you would like either or both of the coupons, they are yours and I will drop them in the mail ASAP, as I wear contacts only and get them with my insurance. I live in California, but neither coupon specifies a state restriction. They just say they are valid at participating locations. 
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Juju2bigdog
Member
10-27-2000
| Friday, March 03, 2006 - 12:16 am
Whoami, you can still see well with your eyes dilated, but if it is bright sunlight, you will be wanting to squint all the time to keep out the light. Hence the dark sunglasses. I drove myself home. It was only a few miles, but I could have gone a really long way. I had no sense at all that I was dangerous, and I don't think I was.
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Seamonkey
Moderator
09-07-2000
| Friday, March 03, 2006 - 1:37 am
Texannie, my SIL had lasik quite a long time ago and they set one eye for distance and one for close up. At first they chose the wrong dominant eye and it didn't work at all but they were able to touch up so it worked. Meanwhile, all on their own, my eyes have started working that way.. one for distance and one for closeup, which is why when I read really close up I can take off my glasses, need to.
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