Glasses??

[Yammer Dan]

Thought I would ask. Since I got retired I lost my eye insurance. Used to go to a real Hi-dollar doc but didn't care as he was good and insurance was paying. No more. I pick up the entire bill. Been in a few of these places and by the time they get done may as well go back to high priced Doc. At least he didn't try to hide it. Am leaning toward Wally World right now as being most reasonable. Any Thoughts? I have to have No Lines and would like transition lenses with a frame that won't break when I sneeze.

[etcswjoe]

Dan go to the VA and have them set you up.

[Venturous Randy]

Are you in the VA system?

RandyA

[mini-muffin]

I go to an ophthalmologist but my last set of glasses the lenses would have cost me over $500 not including the frames, so I got them at Wally world. I get no line with transitions. Frames and lenses for my prescription were just over $300. As far as the glasses I have no problem with them. I can't speak for the docs they have since I didn't go to one of them.

 

Margaret

[bendtdj]

I second (third, forth???) checking out hte VA. The folks here in Sioux Falls, SD treat me real well. Only problem I ever had was having to follow the rules sent down from DC.

 

On a side note, I was an in-patient over Thanksgining in 2005 for a severe infection in my knee. I awoke one night to the sound of a gurney going down the hall. On of th eVeterans had passed away. When they brought him ouyt of his room, they had already drapped him with the Flag! I thought that that really showed the utmost respect for the Veteran, even at 0430!

 

Take care and good luck,

 

Dave

[cowpuc]

I get mine at Menards. Tippy is an awesome couponder and sometimes we get them free but if not, their usually under 6 bucks for 3 pairs.. My prescription has steadily changed since I turned 40 years ago, now it is at 3 power,,, I didnt go to no eye doctor to tell me nuttin,, when I cant see carb parts or the points in my motorcycle no more I just go to the next power :rotf:

[CaptainJoe]

If elgible, the VA system in Clarksburg,WV.will give You glasses every 2 years.. I'm not elgible but my wife is.

 

We both got lasic surgery in columbus, Oh., to correct our log distance vision 10 years ago for $5000.

 

She still gets her up-close glasses for free ad I get mine at walmart +1.5 for $7.00

 

We both have 20/20 vision after all this time and only change upclose as needed.

[Yammer Dan]

For some reason I never thought of the VA. I try to stay away from there but might be worth a trip.

[frodotoo]

I've bought my last several pairs online at Zenni Optical. My last pair of no line progressives cost me $54.80

 

http://www.zennioptical.com/

[JohnT]

A few of you saw what my prescription looks like. (insert Hubble telescope reference here) Over the last few years I have tried HIGH price ophthalmologists with boutique onsite glasses and have also done the retail chain stores. The difference? 1 pair for $700 including the exam or 2 pair for $400 including the exam.

At the chain stores just pay a bit of attention. Does the person actually seem to understand the piece of equipment and what they are doing with it? Or are they just following the procedure with no clear understanding? It is definately the people, not the name of the chain. In Waterton NY Sears Optical is pretty good and Pearle Vision is OK if you have a normal plus / minus 1 to 4 or 5. Get into my area, +17.5 and +18 (NOT a typo) and it gets dicey no matter where I go. :rotf:My big issue actually is the extreme prism needed to keep my eyes in line with that star wars RX. One of these days I am going to get caught peeking out of the "corner" of my prescription to pass my eye test.

[RandyR]

I change eye prescriptions every 2 years or so.

 

I had a couple sets of glasses made at Walmart and was very happy with the optometrist and the glasses. My insurance wasn't good at Walmart, but the price of the glasses & prescription was less than the co-pay plus extra charges elsewhere.

 

That said, for my last 2 pairs of glasses I decided to use the insurance company's list for a local opthamologist (MD). It was more expensive and I didn't care for the service. And the opthamologist seems to be more concerned about steering people to expensive surgery than fitting eyeglasses. I'll be going back to Walmart again for my next pair of glasses. Hopefully the new optometrist is as good as the previous one.

 

I guess I need to take a look at VA and what I might be eligible for there. I don't have a military disability, but I've been told that I might be able to get some prescriptions filled thru VA, and using them for eyeglasses is a new one.

[billmac]

A few of you saw what my prescription looks like. (insert Hubble telescope reference here) Over the last few years I have tried HIGH price ophthalmologists with boutique onsite glasses and have also done the retail chain stores. The difference? 1 pair for $700 including the exam or 2 pair for $400 including the exam.

At the chain stores just pay a bit of attention. Does the person actually seem to understand the piece of equipment and what they are doing with it? Or are they just following the procedure with no clear understanding? It is definately the people, not the name of the chain. In Waterton NY Sears Optical is pretty good and Pearle Vision is OK if you have a normal plus / minus 1 to 4 or 5. Get into my area, +17.5 and +18 (NOT a typo) and it gets dicey no matter where I go. :rotf:My big issue actually is the extreme prism needed to keep my eyes in line with that star wars RX. One of these days I am going to get caught peeking out of the "corner" of my prescription to pass my eye test.

 

Might be time to look into Lasik

[rbig1]

im not a vet so dont have that option. went to wally spent 450 on glasses 200 each lens. but seem to work better than vision stores. will buy more when needed

[MidlifeVenture]

Wally world and other stores exam typically are just a refraction they really do not check your eye health early detection of some eye problems is the difference between seeing and not. my wife is in the business and I have gone to both I will pay for a full exam where they dilate and retina scope. Walmarts Labs are in Mexico and if you get there lens compared to other lenses available there is a huge difference in clarity I have had both. I appreciate my sight and comfort of my glasses I will not scimp. When you go to the dentist do you ask for cheaper fillings.

[RandyR]

The Wally World here does an eye health exam with dilation test and and the funny depth perception machine test etc. I'm sure its part of state law that requires all optometrists to be trained in and do these exams. Based on doing some research on the internet a year ago, Wally World and the opthamologist MD I last used both get their lens and frames from the same company. I don't recall any mention of Mexico, but thats possible. I've had no quality problems with the 3sets of glasses I've gotten at WM.

 

I can't vouch for any WM except the one here.

[Huggy]

I found if I squint I don't need eye glasses!!!! I know it worked real well when I had my eyes tested at the Dept of Transportation 2 years ago!!!

[CaptainJoe]

For some reason I never thought of the VA. I try to stay away from there but might be worth a trip.

 

word of caution... if you do lasik, it will kill your up close vision...which was ok by me...only 10% of what I do is up close and the $5-7 glasses from wallmart help out...

[Guest]

I've bought my last several pairs online at Zenni Optical. My last pair of no line progressives cost me $54.80

 

http://www.zennioptical.com/

 

I second Zenni. I have used them several times over the years. My last 2 pairs have bendable titanium frames, Bifocal lens and 1 of those pair have photo chromatic lenses.

The Photo lens pair cost 69 bucks while the standard pair cost 27 bucks. Cant beat that with a stick. If you decide to use Zenni you will need your prescription from your eye doctor and it must include your PD measurement (pupiliary distance). Thats the distance between your pupils. And as I realize that I am speaking to a first genner I dont mean the distance between two grade school kids sitting side by side in a classroom......

[kevin-vic-b.c.]

For some reason I never thought of the VA. I try to stay away from there but might be worth a trip.

 

you earned it dude use it for keeping your self well !

[hillrider]

Around here, Pearle will do a free exam for seniors on Wednesdays, then either zenni or eyebuydirect. I like eyebuydirect because they will do tri-focals.

[star4772]

For some reason I never thought of the VA. I try to stay away from there but might be worth a trip.

 

Best thing I did was to sign up with VA now that I'm retired and here in AZ. 9 1/2 year term and spent 18 1/2 months in service and got full benefits. No co-pay for anything except scripts $8 and $4 at wall mart. Get free pair of glasses once a year. Check it out can't go wrong.