Do you have any place like Lens & Frames? they only sell glasses. Stay away from places like JC Penneys, Sears as I have thicker glasses and they really messed my glasses up and ended up getting new frames and having to pay for them even though it was there fault. Does your eye Dr. sell glasses? Ours does not at this time but I did find another Dr who does and he did a really good job with thinner glasses and nice frames. Not cheap.
Are you near a Cosco or Sam's Club.?

Yes, I've been going to Lens Crafter but I'm not sure if they can make them thinner than they are now. My eye doctors quit selling glasses so now I have to go elsewhere. I have insurance and I don't mind paying more if they could make them thinner. I just don't know where to go who has updated lenses.

the problem is if your prescription is for very thick lenses many of the newer thin lenses do not come in those high strengths. I am legally blind with out my glasses or contacts, I too had to wear gas perms because they do not make soft lens to my prescription. I am high myopia at a -12 level with severe astigmatism, when I decided to go back to glasses that was the problem I ran into none of the great new highly touted slim light lens could be made to my script. I do have lens that are much more thin and light than the ones years ago that were so heavy they would cut grooves in my nose but not near as slim and light as I had hoped for. Once you get your script from your doctor you can talk to some eyeglass stores to see if your's is able to be cut in those lens.

from consumer reports the highest rated was Costco, we have used them and were very very impressed.

Have you ever thought about Lasex Surgery (not sure I spelled that right)? I had that done a few years ago. I still needed a bit of glasses but my glasses are not nearly as thick. Also, I don't need the glasses all the time - I use mainly for driving. I know that some people are not candidates for the surgery but I'd sure check that out, especially if the cost is not a huge factor. As far as glasses, I'm not sure what the options are anymore.

I've worn contacts >40 years, first the hard ones, then gas perms. I have high correction: -9.5 & -10.5 & had been told "way back" that I couldn't wear the soft contacts. But about 3-4 years ago my optometrist said that he could now fit me with the soft contacts. Oh, my! They were so easy to get used to & I love them. I never get dust, fuzz, or an eye lash under the soft ones.

Soooo.... I wonder if you've gone to a dr who specializes in fitting contacts? I have back up glasses but I can't remember for sure if they are made from glass or plastic. I do know that they scratch easily, so I'm thinking they are plastic. I would sure hate to have to go to glasses all the time. I checked about Lasik surgery & my cornea were "too thin".

Why don't you check in with the optical dept. at the local college that trains opticians in your area. Generally, they have access to all the newer items and machines--the manufacturers make sure they have all the latest stuff. The professors are very knowlegeable. I go to the college and get my glasses at cost. Which is a fraction of what you pay at even the cheap retail opticians. I've gotten designer frames with the top brand of progressive lenses, with top end glare coating and magnetic sunglasses--for $150! The same pair, purchased at the shop where DD works, AFTER the family discount, would have been in the $700-800 range.

I'm a certified optician. There are several high index choices. Generally the higher the number the thinner the lenses. 1.67 is common and at lots of places the thinnest you can get.

There is also 1.70 and 1.74 high index. 1.70 has the best optics but you can probably only get it at private opticals and doctor's offices. 1.74 is the thinnest that you can get in this country, again, I think you will only find it at doctor's offices and private opticals.

The differences in thickness between 1.67 and 1.70/1.74 isn't real noticeable until your prescription gets to the -8. and above range.

Another very important thing is the size of the lenses. Round or oval lenses will be thinner. Smaller lenses will be thinner.

I want to thank everyone for their comments. I'm going to see about going to Costco to see what they offer.

Happyladi - A co-worker gave me the name of her eye doctor who sells glasses also. I'm going to call to see if I can bring in my prescription.

I'm going Monday to my doctors and will ask if they could recommend anyone who specializes in the high index.

Thanks again.
Linda from PA

I tried them when they first came out and didn't like them. The optical office that made them for me said, some people can see distortions in them. I couldn't see that, but there was something about them I didn't like. That was years ago, I am sure they have improved them.

Plastic lens are much lighter than glass and therefore easier to wear. Glass is more resistant to scratches and off-axis reflections and glare for night driving.

I've been using plastic lenses for the past 20 years and have been satisfied. I recommend for plastic to get the following coatings: anti-glare, UV-A and UV-B protection, and hard coating.

I had been using Stein Optical, but their service has fallen and they did not meet the one-day service as advertized. Their turn-around time is the same as everyone else. (Apparently, the one day turn around only applies to the most simple of cases.)

Last year, I tried Wal Mart with success. They had the Stetson frames which I like and what's more, they would supply lenses only to fit my existing frames. Since my existing frame was in good shape, I opted for lens only for a sizeable savings. They scanned my glass frame to make a template for fitting the new lenses - that part worked well. (Other local suppliers would not make lenses for an existing frame and insisted on putting new lenses into new frames citing that old frames may soon fail and give them warranty problems.)

Wal Mart made a profit because I bought a second pair of glasses. I have been buying glasses in sets of 2. Sometimes, the second pair is a less expensive frame. I keep the spare set in my car and have been saved a couple of times when on trip. One time while 300 miles from home, a lems fell out in tall grass and was lost.