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BigPurseSue · Jul 1st, 2009, 01:58 AM

I haven't bought new prescription glasses in years. But now I'm desperately in need of...bifocals...a pair of non-bifocal distance specs...and sunglasses...all with UV protection and polycarbonate lenses. How much should I expect to spend? Any tips for getting a bunch of glasses at a good price? Any optical store recommendations?

I was pricing frames and the ones I like run from $150 to $200. The store told me $130 - $150 for lenses with my HMO discount. Does that seem like a lot?

I have a prescription, but I don't want to buy online as I have a strange prescription and often have a hard time getting lenses made properly.

MichelleD · Jul 1st, 2009, 05:25 AM

No, Sue that's not a lot. I had to get bifocals last year and didn't want to actually change glasses because they cost so much (see below). I ended up getting a pair of Gucci frames which I turned into reading glasses made to wear "with my contacts" and I spent about $470. Prior to this, my glasses cost *gulp* about $700. I had/have Kawasaki rimless, transitions--super cute, but cost a fortune.

materialgurl · Jul 1st, 2009, 05:49 AM

Mine were $435.. I have Chanel frames and glasses has some type of special coat that prevents it from scratching... without the coat it would've been $50 cheaper.

Odette · Jul 1st, 2009, 06:46 AM

I have terrible vision so I have to buy the ultra-thin, ultra-light lenses otherwise I'd have the old-school coke bottle glasses. My lenses and frames were $400 after insurance picked up their share.

dr. twiggers · Jul 1st, 2009, 07:05 AM

My last pair were about $400-ish (non-bifocal) and I'm just getting ready to purchase a new pair + sunglasses.

siworae · Jul 1st, 2009, 09:19 AM

my last pair of glasses were also around $400'ish... can't remember the exact price, though.

Kitsunegrl · Jul 1st, 2009, 09:47 AM

Mine were exactly $400.
I feel that glasses are something that is worth spending some money on; you are going to be wearing them and should love them!
I usually wear contacts, but sometimes my allergies act up and I have to wear my glasses during the day. It's great knowing that I have a pair that I love; I don't feel self-conscious wearing them.

No Cute · Jul 1st, 2009, 10:05 AM

Sue, that's not a lot from what I've seen either. It is annoying amounts of money, but as frames go, you got a good price. I get a 150 allowance from my insurance and always have to add 100-150 to get something that I like and looks nice on me. If I didn't have the money to add, I'm sure I could find something, but I'm getting vain in midlife. :)

nooch · Jul 1st, 2009, 10:23 AM

Mine were $240 and when I told people they told me I could have gotten a way better deal but reading this thread I feel less like I got ripped off.

ilikepenguins · Jul 1st, 2009, 10:55 AM

Ditto to everyone above - I just got a new pair of glases, and since I have terrible vision, I needed to get the special thinner lenses (which cost more). I think my total was $400-450. I hope they last me a good long time, at that price!

ChiChi143 · Jul 1st, 2009, 11:16 AM

Once I get back the refund from my health benefits, I pay $0. Without the refund it would be $400-$500 depending on what I get.

Ellie Mae · Jul 1st, 2009, 11:21 AM

Glasses are expensive, especially bifocals. I had to get my first pair bifocals this year, frames were around $200, total was around $800 including the exam. I'd rather have bought a new bag!

~Fabulousity~ · Jul 1st, 2009, 11:25 AM

I paid about $250 for my last pair, the pair I want (Chanel with real pearls) are gonna run me about $400. Luckily my prescription hasn't changed in the last 3 years.

pinkinthecity · Jul 1st, 2009, 12:33 PM

Mine are in the ballpark of $400. It could have been cheaper, but I opted to splurge on designer frames.

lilsmiles · Jul 1st, 2009, 01:06 PM

Luckily my insurance covers the lenses, which are the more expensive piece of glasses, especially if you want the thin lenses and all the different protective coatings. I pay monthly for my vision insurance though so I guess it balances out a bit. So no, I don't think the numbers you are quoting are a lot at all.

If you want designer frames, I went to the store to try on frames and wrote down the model #'s for ones I liked and tried to find them cheaper online. I went with this website since they had the frames I wanted for much cheaper, it was about $100 less than retail stores. I bought D&G frames from here. Then I just brought the frame to the retail store and had them put the lenses on my frames. HTH!

http://www.go-optic.com/

Jul 1st, 2009, 01:58 AM	#1
BigPurseSue OP Member Joined: Sep 2007 Location: Amid the prairies of the Midwest with the tiger swallow-tail butterflies. Posts: 1,294	How much do you spend on prescription glasses? I haven't bought new prescription glasses in years. But now I'm desperately in need of...bifocals...a pair of non-bifocal distance specs...and sunglasses...all with UV protection and polycarbonate lenses. How much should I expect to spend? Any tips for getting a bunch of glasses at a good price? Any optical store recommendations? I was pricing frames and the ones I like run from $150 to $200. The store told me $130 - $150 for lenses with my HMO discount. Does that seem like a lot? I have a prescription, but I don't want to buy online as I have a strange prescription and often have a hard time getting lenses made properly.
	__________________ "My wife would not think of leaving the house for even a half hour without sufficient possessions in her purse alone to establish a comfortable wilderness homestead." -- Dave Barry

Jul 1st, 2009, 05:49 AM	#3
materialgurl in a material world Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 446	Mine were $435.. I have Chanel frames and glasses has some type of special coat that prevents it from scratching... without the coat it would've been $50 cheaper.
	__________________ Wishlist: [x] Chanel white jumbo Classic cavier flap with s/h [x] Chanel long lamb leather Classic wallet [x] Gucci medium Pelham shoulder bag [x] Louis Vuitton mini lin Speedy [x] Balenciaga black part-time [ ] Chanel black half moon cavier WOC [ ] Louis Vuitton Manhatten GM [ ] Hermes Birkin ultimate dream bag! hopefully by age 30

Jul 1st, 2009, 06:46 AM	#4
Odette Member Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 4,955	I have terrible vision so I have to buy the ultra-thin, ultra-light lenses otherwise I'd have the old-school coke bottle glasses. My lenses and frames were $400 after insurance picked up their share.
Odette Member Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 4,955	__________________

Jul 1st, 2009, 07:05 AM	#5
dr. twiggers Finally Done! Joined: May 2006 Location: The Library Posts: 21,801	My last pair were about $400-ish (non-bifocal) and I'm just getting ready to purchase a new pair + sunglasses.
	__________________ November Goals: 1. Get credit card to $4500 (or less). 2. Add $500 to emergency fund. 3. Add $500 to vacation fund. 4. Stay under grocery budget.

Jul 1st, 2009, 09:19 AM	#6
siworae Member Joined: Jul 2006 Location: 미니애폴리스 Posts: 3,791	my last pair of glasses were also around $400'ish... can't remember the exact price, though.
	__________________ "나 사랑을 하고있어요, 사랑에 빠졌어요 더 이상 숨길 수 없어요 뜨거운 설레임 드디어 만날 수 있었어요, 꿈을 꾸었어요 식지 않는 여름의 갈망 찾고있었어요 당신만을..." ♥

Jul 1st, 2009, 05:25 AM	#2
MichelleD Member Joined: Mar 2008 Location: DMV Posts: 1,814	No, Sue that's not a lot. I had to get bifocals last year and didn't want to actually change glasses because they cost so much (see below). I ended up getting a pair of Gucci frames which I turned into reading glasses made to wear "with my contacts" and I spent about $470. Prior to this, my glasses cost gulp about $700. I had/have Kawasaki rimless, transitions--super cute, but cost a fortune.

Jul 1st, 2009, 09:47 AM	#7
Kitsunegrl Cartier in 2009! Joined: Nov 2006 Location: Cajun Country Posts: 7,608	Mine were exactly $400. I feel that glasses are something that is worth spending some money on; you are going to be wearing them and should love them! I usually wear contacts, but sometimes my allergies act up and I have to wear my glasses during the day. It's great knowing that I have a pair that I love; I don't feel self-conscious wearing them.
	__________________ Lorretta

Jul 1st, 2009, 10:05 AM	#8
No Cute Member Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 7,557	Sue, that's not a lot from what I've seen either. It is annoying amounts of money, but as frames go, you got a good price. I get a 150 allowance from my insurance and always have to add 100-150 to get something that I like and looks nice on me. If I didn't have the money to add, I'm sure I could find something, but I'm getting vain in midlife. :)
No Cute Member Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 7,557

Jul 1st, 2009, 10:23 AM	#9
nooch bubblehead Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 3,805	Mine were $240 and when I told people they told me I could have gotten a way better deal but reading this thread I feel less like I got ripped off.
nooch bubblehead Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 3,805	__________________ Come cheer me on at my weight loss thread - http://forum.purseblog.com/health-an...re-488893.html

Jul 1st, 2009, 10:55 AM	#10
ilikepenguins Working on my phd Joined: Jun 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 3,415	Ditto to everyone above - I just got a new pair of glases, and since I have terrible vision, I needed to get the special thinner lenses (which cost more). I think my total was $400-450. I hope they last me a good long time, at that price!
	__________________ Now on a DEFINITE BAN! Saving for 3 weeks in the Philippines in December!

Jul 1st, 2009, 11:16 AM	#11
ChiChi143 ♥ Engaged 11/06/09 ♥ Joined: Jun 2007 Location: New York Posts: 8,172	Once I get back the refund from my health benefits, I pay $0. Without the refund it would be $400-$500 depending on what I get.
	__________________

Jul 1st, 2009, 11:21 AM	#12
Ellie Mae KIABCRS Joined: May 2008 Posts: 8,004	Glasses are expensive, especially bifocals. I had to get my first pair bifocals this year, frames were around $200, total was around $800 including the exam. I'd rather have bought a new bag!
Ellie Mae KIABCRS Joined: May 2008 Posts: 8,004	__________________ *http://scams-n-shams.blogspot.com*

Jul 1st, 2009, 11:25 AM	#13
~Fabulousity~ Member Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 12,791	I paid about $250 for my last pair, the pair I want (Chanel with real pearls) are gonna run me about $400. Luckily my prescription hasn't changed in the last 3 years.
~Fabulousity~ Member Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 12,791

Jul 1st, 2009, 12:33 PM	#14
pinkinthecity All That Glitters ♥ Joined: Dec 2007 Location: New York City Posts: 778	Mine are in the ballpark of $400. It could have been cheaper, but I opted to splurge on designer frames.
	__________________ "It's hard being left behind. I wait for Henry, not knowing where he is, wondering if he's okay. It's hard to be the one who stays." --Clare in The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

Jul 1st, 2009, 01:06 PM	#15
lilsmiles Member Joined: May 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 430	Luckily my insurance covers the lenses, which are the more expensive piece of glasses, especially if you want the thin lenses and all the different protective coatings. I pay monthly for my vision insurance though so I guess it balances out a bit. So no, I don't think the numbers you are quoting are a lot at all. If you want designer frames, I went to the store to try on frames and wrote down the model #'s for ones I liked and tried to find them cheaper online. I went with this website since they had the frames I wanted for much cheaper, it was about $100 less than retail stores. I bought D&G frames from here. Then I just brought the frame to the retail store and had them put the lenses on my frames. HTH! http://www.go-optic.com/

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