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Discussion of sources of low-cost eyeglasses ...

18 years ago

... took place on "Money Saving Tips" a while ago.

I thought that some out you might be interested, so brought over a link.

I'm to have cataract surgery in August.

ole joyful

Here is a link that might be useful: Sources of low-cost eyeglasses

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Comments (6)

irishdancersgram
18 years ago
ole Joyful, If you having surgery, you should be getting your 1st pair of glasses at no charge...
That's how it was when I worked with "eyes", but things might have changed....
Good luck with your surgery!
azzalea
18 years ago
I'd personally be wary of anything too cheap, when it comes to one's eyes. I did post on that thread, but only because I know of a place to get high quality frames and glasses at cost. It's not worth getting truly cheap glasses and lenses, made by low-paid techs who may or may not be licensed.

My dd--the optician--just recently had a patient come in (didn't I tell this story on another thread recently?), who complained he couldn't see a thing out of the new glasses he'd ordered from her. She took them and his old glasses (which he was happy with) and 'read' them. The new ones were made correctly. The old ones were from a cheap store, and the lenses had been put in UPSIDE DOWN--and his eyes had somehow adjusted to them so that he couldn't see out of the correct lenses. He's now got to go in every week or two, for an adjustment, so she can gradually help him retrain his eyes--it's going to take about 6 months to treat his problem. Are you getting this? His eyesight was actually DAMAGED by the cheap glasses. And that's only one horror story.

I'd also avoid cheap exams. You want to go to a good eye dr.--an opthalmologist. Keep in mind that optometrists (usually the kind of 'drs' who give the cheap exams at the chain eyeglass stores) aren't medical drs. They can do refractions, and may or may not recognize if you have an eye health issue, but they are NOT dr's in the medical sense, and they often don't use the same equipment that an opthalmologist uses. If you luck out, and one does happen to notice that you have an eye disease, they'll send you to an opthalmologist anyway.

Who only goes once a year for a glaucoma test? You lucky thing--I have to go every 3-4 months. I don't have glaucoma, but because of a glitchy thing with my eyes, if I ever do develop it, the normal test won't pick it up too readily, so I have to keep a close 'eye' on things.
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Thank you all. Tina, the first pair is a solid yes-- as are the sunglasses. I still need a second pair. As for buying online-- all I am considering buying online are the frames. Frames I have already chosen locally. It's not any different from trying them on and ordering from a local shop-- except the money doesn't stay local. They are new, in original packaging etc and can be returned. That said, my glasses are ALWAYS sent out for the lenses. My lenses must be specially ground. Still, I order them through the dr office where they take the proper measurements and make the necessary adjustments. smh - yes, you and my nieces! The black glasses above aren't even in the running-- but it was the best photo showing a black frame. There are others that look better.. but I went with the one that showed the color best. 1929 - excellent point! I will start with one pair first-- just because the prescription is tricky. The Dr wanted me to start with one pair.. wait a few weeks to a month and then get the others. Annie, yes your points are all valid.. but shape isn't really a decision I am struggling with. I have had lots of input and help in choosing the frame shape. I've also been wearing glasses for as long as I can remember. Don't worry that I'll go all rogue LOL! While my style can be a touch quirky, it's basically classic with a little funk... never the other way around. Neetsie - There is a model with tortoise shell cat eye but the stems are blue. Too much like the first pair which I am definitely ordering... and they don't have them in the store. I tried them on in the spring but they sold out. The black has black stems and a tiffany blue inside the frame. Much easier to distinguish. I guess I should have shared that since I will be switching from computer/reading glasses to walking around glasses-- even to just go to the bathroom, I want them to be different and distinguishable. Even meetings will be a challenge as I will need one pair to read.. and another to see someone across the table. I am hoping I can adapt to that well enough to not need to constantly switch back and forth and distract others. I guess some would prefer the two to look similar so it wasn't obvious they were wearing two pairs glasses. I guess I can mull that around. practigal - my mom says the same thing about Costco. I haven't tried them as they are no longer convenient to me. I can always check to see if they carry the brands that have been consistently working well for me. Thank you ALL again! You are all so sweet and helpful!
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joyfulguy
Original Author
18 years ago
I got some prescription glasses about 28 years ago, and they've disappeared some years back (after breaking one lens).

I've been using reading glasses for several years, at first so that I could read the "1/8" variations on a dollar on prices of stocks, progressing from about 2.5 through 3.5 to 4.0 in recent years, when I can find them.

But I can see well at medium distance.

When I told my doctor that I was having trouble reading some words on billboards or auto licence plates several feet away, he sent me to optometrist, who says that I need surgery for cataracts.

When I could pass vision test for regular drivers licence, but not more stringent test for straight truck licence, optometrist said he couldn't give me glasses to allow me to pass the test to continue my truck upgrade at present. But if I can pass the vision test within one year, they'll reinstate it.

When the eye surgeon checked the retinas, he says that they're in great shape, as are other parts of my eyes ... and I'm to have cataract surgery for the poorest eye in August, for the other about a month later. He says that I should be able to see well after that ... with about 5% possibility that I might have resulting blindness.

Doubt need for prescription glasses later, though I don't know about reading glasses. Time will tell, I guess.

ole joyful
glenda_al
18 years ago
Good luck with your surgery in August!

I'm still blessed with good eyes, except for the $1 reading glasses.
Was told when the cheaper reading glasses don't do the trick, then it will be time for prescrption glasses.
golfergrrl
18 years ago
There are some places where you should not cut corners....your eyes being one.
glenda_al
18 years ago
Have yearly checkup, and am told that as long as I don't need prescription glasses, what I am using is fine.

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