Never mind. I was reading the site wrong - the price seemed almost as much as at my eye doctor!

I have clip on glasses to go over my prescription ones. Because I may have to have cataract surgery soon, and have a sigmatisim (sp)I cannot buy over the counter ones. I use mine mainly for driving.I got them from my eye Dr and it cuts the bad sun rays

Joanne--I've made this suggestion before when glasses were discussed. Find out where opticians train in your area (probably a community college)--assuming you're in a state that requires them to be qualified and licensed. See if you can go to the dispensary there. My dd is an optician, and I ALWAYS go to the college, rather than get them from her. The college sells prescription glasses at cost, just to give the students practice working in a shop. The professor checks all the measurements and makes the glasses herself (on the latest equiment--machines that most optical shops don't even have yet). Depends upon what frames one choses, and what options you choose, but my glasses--the best name-brand progressives, designer frames, high-end non-glare coating--generally cost me in the $200-250 range. That's less than I'd pay for just the lenses anywhere else. The same glasses, bought through my DD, getting the family discount, would still cost in the $800-1000 range. I could get them even cheaper, by choosing frames from the clearance rack, by going with a cheaper brand of lenses, getting less expensive non-glare coatings, etc. The college where I go sometimes has frames they want to clear out for $25! They have high quality merchandise, BECAUSE manufacturers give them samples, and/or sell their products at really reduced prices, so the students become familiar with their wares.

Shopping at the college dispensary is a GREAT way to get quality eyewear at a deep discount. And you get the added benefit of helping a young person get started in their career.

I just got 2 pairs of prescription grade sunglasses from an optitican, inside a Target and one was inside a Walmart. My vision insurance costs $120 a year through my employer. I got the eye exam free and the first pair of glasses "free"....really nice Ray Bans. Then the second pair of Bolle polarized was discounted for $71.

Each pair of frames retailed for $119 ea. Then they send the frames off with the script for the lens. Have you tried dropping into a Target or Walmart vision care?

You might try Zenni Optical. I have been ordering glasses - progressives from them the last three years. I have bought two pairs of progressive sunglasses from them as well as my daily glasses. I know what you mean about the lens only being so big. I just checked their sight and they do have some that are taller and wider than the ones I have ordered but they might be a more manly shape, kinda square or sharp edged rather than feminine. I guess I have had about 6 pairs of glasses from them and I have not been disappointed in the quality. I will say - you do have to find someone to fit them to you after you get them as far as the earpiece and to make sure they sit on your nose correctly. I just go to where I have my eyes examined and they have never asked me where I have gotten the glasses or charged me. The first progressive pair I bought there was over $300 (at my eye doctors place) and that was about 10 years ago. I do buy rimless ones so they aren't cheap but last years 2 pairs - 1 clear and 1 sunglasses cost me less than $180.00

You do have to have some more info than just your perscription but you should be given that info when you ask for it where you would normally get glasses. It is part of your script. Pupillary distance is one thing and the temple length is another. If you have any questions, just ask and I will see if I can help you.

You can also get glasses at places like Sam's Club and BJ's. I got prescription sunglasses at BJ's for about $100.

Actually, MBoston, that may not be true. In some states, it's illegal for opticians to give out PD's for free. DD was just telling me last week, that the state has given shops the option of either charging for PD's OR simply refusing to give them out--but they are NOT permitted to give the meausurements out for free. She said that orders from corporate have told them not to give out pd's at all. And interestingly, she'd IM'd me earlier, telling me a gentleman came in asking for his today, she very politely told him she wasn't permitted to do that, and he got very angry and verbally abusive.

But bottom line, it varies from place to place, whether an optician is going to be willing (or able) to just hand out a free pd measurement.

Hmm...interesting. I would think that it would be considered part of your "optical" history and since you
might not buy glasses at the place where you have the exam done, which is your option, that it would go with the script. I'm glad I know mine - I'm assuming it wouldn't change much, has always been the same for me at least.

Could it be that its another way for the brick and mortar places to discourage people from buying online?

I'm facing something similiar with getting the Shingles Vaccine. If I go to Walgreen's, with my insurance it would not cost me anything. However, you need a script and my doctor, who works for a large clinic here in town isn't allowed to give me one. I can get it there but it would cost me $350. Doesn't seem like that is in my best interest especially since they are recommending people over 60 get it.

Well, the thing is, NJ has some of the highest requirements in the nation for qualifying opticians. DD took the national test when she was only halfway through her required training--and passed with flying colors. The national test is about 3 hours long. Besides the years of training, NJ requires boards that take 2 full days, and are very very difficult to pass (I don't know anyone who's passed the first, or even second time out). Besides being the most qualified, NJ opticians are also some of the most highly paid--So yes, you're absolutely right--NJ is protecting their opticians by this ruling.

I don't know about other states, but your PD measurement isn't part of any opthalmic exam I've ever had, and I've been going to the opth. every 3-4 months since I was in my 20's, as well as annual visits to Wills Eye. Opticians do PD's when you order glasses. However, there are states that don't require any training or testing for opticians--perhaps in those, PD's are taken at the Opthalmologist's office?

I just want to add, that this ruling also protects the public. I know a lot of people are ordering glasses online these days, but those cheap places are using extremely cheap products--the lenses they're selling are sub-par, manufactured in 3rd world countries in sweatshop conditions and are of very questionable quality. Reputable opticians won't sell those products in their shops, BECAUSE they aren't reliable.

I don't know if these would appeal to you joann, but instead of going the prescription sunglasses route (my prescription is always over $400) I have started using the $20 plastic variety available at Walmart and other places, that will fit over my glasses. Since these were suggested by my opthamologist at the time of my cataract sugery, I feel safe in using them. They come in a variety of sizes also. They really are great at fitting close to your head and keeping out a lot of sun. They're not beautiful, but they sure do a good job. And. . . you don't feel bad if you lose them.

My son, who would never wear sunglasses, now always wears these to drive and loves them.

I worked many years as an Optometric Assistant and the PD is not part of the exam and isn't given...But, the RX is supposed to be given to the patient each time you have an exam, that is the law.....

What really, really bothers me, is the price that is charged for lens and frames...I did all the frame buying and was told to mark up the frames at least 5 times higher than the cost to us...And I also took care of the accounts with the different labs that made the lens and it was pennies compared to what the patient paid....I know there is overhead but these doctors were making a mint.....

SunnyDJ - that is what bothers me the most. I know that even when made here in the US, the markup is so high. My first pair of rimless were the least expensive I could get but with the progressives and the other features I needed, not just wanted, they cost me alot more than I thought they were worth. Even hough I loved them cause they were light weight and no distracting plastic frame in the way, they were hard to keep in adjustment. I was constantly, well frequently, having to go have them adjusted cause one of my kindergarten kids would lift his/her head when I was helping them and knock them out of whack. The adjustments
didn't cost me but oddly enough, I haven't had as much problems with the last few pairs I have ordered online and now I have a grandson who just turned 3 that I take care of and I've made it through the grabbing glasses stage and playing around with him.

I have taken them into where I got my eyes examed and had them checked to make sure the script is correct. So far no problems. I have my eyes checked yearly and even though the chance isn't usually big - I can now afford to get new glasses. If I had to do that with expensive ones, I would have to wait or find another style of frame. They don't like to just replace the lenses with rimless or at least that is what I have been told.

You do what you have to do - if I felt that my glasses weren't correct, I wouldn't order from them again. I think its worth a try - maybe for a back up pair at first like the OP was wanting sunglasses.

My son just told me, he's been ordering his glasses and those of the kid's, from that place on line and they are wonderful.....I think as long as you have them checked to see if the RX is right, you're good to go....When I worked with the eyes etc., I had a different frame for each outfit and always that extra pair of sunglasses....Now I just order the Transition only I get the generic brand which is just as good......

Anyone can buy very good quality eye glass frames in any T.J. Maxx or Marshalls. Just buy the sunglasses, bring them to a discount glasses business. There are lots listed in the yellow pages and have them make the progressive lenses and put them in. Just make sure you don't buy a frame with a curve. I bought Coach frames which are large and they fitted them perfectly. I never paid more than 130.00 for the lenses and 25.00 for the frame.

SunnyDJ, what place is it online that your son orders from, please.

Joanne, I have prescription sunglasses. But I am going to
buy a set of the fit over sunglasses. You will spend less.
My neighbor has a beautiful pair, they don't look like
those gawdawful big black ones that you see on 99 year old
men anymore! lol (apologies to those men! LOL) hers are
gorgeous. I tried them on and they work with even my
short little nose! My nose is so short that I haven't found many ski goggles that work! lol (I push them down to fit on the bridge of my nose so I can see out of them and they cover up my nostrils! hahahha)

QVC has some really nice ones, but I don't like buying
what I can't try on. hate shipping and handling! lol

Here is a link that might be useful: fit overs