Unbelievable . You paid so much for a product that no one will stand behind. They should at the very least give you a big credit toward another pair.

I would've certainly given them an earful for not repairing/guaranteeing their own product. Shame on manufacturers who do something like that.

Thanks. It was my fault that they broke at the weld). They’d gotten knocked onto the floor, I didn’t know, and, oops, stepped on them. I bought them only a couple of years ago, but have barely worn them and was always so careful to keep them in the hard case when not on my face. They are lightweight. I don’t like thinks on or around my face, and the progressive lenses (simple prescription) seemed too crowded in that short lens; pain in the neck. No insurance coverage. But at least I could drive with the things. Cost ~$670.

For some nut-ding reason, the optical shop in NOT open on weekends or Wednesday’s. I hadn’t appreciated that when I went there w a neighbor who likes the place. Ugh.

I spotted a larger Ray Ban frame at LensCrafters and can get a “wide corridor” progressive lens set up for “”ONLY”” (gulp) $450 or so.

I don't have a “back up” pair.

How much of the cost of the glasses are in the frame vs. the lens. I agree that they will never look the same however you apparently are speaking to the optical shop and not the manufacturer. The optical shop should be able to contact the supplier and ask for a replacement. It may or may not be the answer you are looking for since you did not mention how the frames were damaged. Normal wear and tear yes but anything beyond that no. This is why people who are hard on their glasses or buy expensive ones often opt for the additional insurance if it covers both frames and lenses.

Lenses w AR coating — ~$200 (both)

Frames — $450

Usually I buy a pair of glasses and wear them until they are scratched up or broken — about 8 years.

Since I dislike things on my face, I opt for walking around with myopia and grab cheap readers for detail.

I cannot wear glasses in the rain or while “gardening” or “working on projects”. Also I have chronic pain 24/7, so I go about in a quasi fog anyway. Heck, maybe the woman at the “not open on weekends” optical shop could have told me, “these frames are very comfortable and light. You won’t even know you have them on! And this is a good thing since repairing the suckers is so maybee-waybee, that after you’re unable to get them fixed, you won’t know that you’re missing them <wan smile>.”

Can one buy/obtain eyeglasses insurance outside a supplemental ins plan? Our plan let’s us see our doctor of choice (only plan that will), but doesn’t have an optical or hearing aid coverage component.

I have been extremely pleased with the frame and lenses from America's best. Very reasonable price. Can you find a frame that these lenses can be fit into. They can grind the lens to fit if it's close. I have done that before. SEARS was very reasonable prices also and Costco. You can go to the Costco eye store without a membership I believe.

So sorry to learn about your glasses. I have a similar pair and when I bought them I was told that they were not repairable. Because of that, I don't even fold the arms in when I put them on my night table when I am going to sleep. Sometimes I pat my face to see if I have taken them off, sometimes yes sometimes no! They are progressive and I love them because they are so light weight. I didn't do well when I first got glasses for reading and close up. Constantly taking them off and putting them on led to breakage of more than 1 pair.

Ask if there is another frame the lens will fit into. I had to do that after falling and my glasses went flying.

Oh, I was so hoping to read that you found a place that would repair these. I have a pair of TURA titanium frames that also broke, and I, too, was told they couldn't be repaired. Mine broke one day when I put them on my face -- directly under where the nose piece connects to the part that holds the lens. Mine are a light gold color.

I might try the place in RI -- a state well known for jewelry making. Do you have the name, address, whatever? Thanks!

Thanks, again all of you. Raven, no Costco around, but a Wal-mart where I might look for frames. In the past I’ve tried to get frames to match lenses — nearly impossible to do.

Lindain, interesting that they cautioned you that the frames could not be repaired. Since I’ve broken mine, I’ve learned that titanium is chosen because it’s flexible and lightweight. Very difficult to “braze” and the equipment is expensive and apparently the skill level and experience of the repair person can vary. I looked up some of this online and people were discussing various techniques of rarefied atmospheres and arcs and so on.

I called a couple of people who sell this type of frame in their store and got the various responses saying that parts could be replaced but very tricky to try to find somebody to solder or braze. The vendor from whom I bought mine seemed evasive. Still, I will send them out to get re-soldered if possible and if they come back looking as though they were nuked, I can just wear them that way or buy auto paint. I’ll use a credit card if I have to prepay.

I called the company in New York and they are all that the reviews say: pretty flimsy customer service. There is voice mailbox well you can leave a sort of message and they will try to get back to you within two business days. I was supposed to say what my cat does for a living and where I bought the things. My DH thinks that I should just chalk it up to the new world we live in. So much for the expression “you get what you pay for.” Maybe, maybe not.

After I figure all of this eyeglass stuff out, I’m going to go online and become an expert in buying glasses for under 20 bucks online.

One interesting thing – when I was looking up my frame model and color, I noticed that they were frame similar to that for various amounts on eBay. I wonder why somebody would sell something for $68. (Maybe they had a burnt volcano spot where somebody had tried to solder them?)

Thanks again for all of your support and good ideas. I think I’ll try to get this design ( shape) for my new pair. And if I like them maybe I can get an extra pair of frames for half price. Yeah sure.

PS Lindain, do you know if your progressives are “short channel” or “wide channel”?

Chisue, these optical folks like to keep their cards close ;)

The Shop wouldn’t not tell me the phone number but that was after they had given me the name, Hilco. And I believe it is around Plainville Massachusetts close to Attleboro. Let’s have a race and see who can get their phone number first! Apparently they only deal with optical shops directly, not consumers. I can understand that. If you’ve ever had occasion to work in customer support, And particularly with anything complex a technical, you’ll understand immediately why any repair place would only want to deal with shops not consumers.

I want to came upon a place online where members were discussing the techniques from welding or soldering or brazing titanium. So there must be enterprising artistic and tactically talented people who can figure out ways to solder or refasten small titanium joints.

One vendor of the silhouette glasses told me that it might be possible to order a part, but I wasn’t sure how that could be because it appears that all the parts are soldered together – somewhat like a bicycle frame. Then we’re back to the Sauter problem. This iPad wants to say Sauter instead of solder.

As I suspected. The optical shop just didn’t want to tell me the name of that repair person. Here it is for you guys:

http://www.hilcoeyeglassrepair.com/

Mail or walk-in. Good reviews.

The part would be that ear piece or whatever the official name is.

I had a pair of similar frames by Silhouette that the hinge broke. Mine did not have the top frame on the lens part, just holes drilled into the lenses of either side to attach the arms. (I loved the frames, and used them for a second prescription after a couple of years when my eyes changed.) When they broke, I was able to insert part of hinge into the other part and it would hold for a few days, but then pull out. Was out of town and took them into a glasses place where they glued them together. They told me they never recommend to use the frames more than a couple of years because they will wear out. Worked for a couple of more weeks, until I got back home. Was told at the place I purchased them that they could not be repaired. I had insurance and had not replaced my frames in the past two years, was able to get a discount on the new frames and they used my newer lenses. The new frames I got do not have the hinges, just very flexible arms. Love the fact they are so lightweight, especially since I wear them all the time. I do wear progressives and have purchased online, but with my prescription, they are never the same as having them fitted in person. I can't wear the cheaper ones for very long without having issues, mostly for emergencies. Good luck, its awful they don't last long as much as they cost.

Sorry petalique, I don't.

petalique -- Thanks a bunch! It sounds almost too good to be true...$50 for a repair? I'm on my second pair of eyeglasses since these broke, and the current pair are 'adequate'. I'd need new progressive lenses made -- expensive, and I *should* be having cataract surgery. Still...nice to have the option!

Frames with thin metal sections, especially the rimless kind, seem to not be very resilient to stresses and strains. My wife has had several unfortunate incidents with fragile expensive pairs too. You might do better getting frames that are a bit beefier, or less expensive, or both. The chain locations as others mentioned tend to be less expensive than optometrists, although product quality is sometimes lower too.

I think all glasses are breakable given the wrong kind of back luck, choose them keeping that in mind.

Sorry for your problem, we've all had similar things happen. I'm an eyeglass wearer too and I prefer glass lenses. One drop on a hard surface and that's usually the end of at least one lens. I know from many repeated accidents.

Elmer, I had no idea that glass lenses were still available. Probably a bit heavier? I don’t like the little dents (from pressure) glasses often leave either side of my nose. Things could get lost in those potholes.

They are available but apparently from a declining number of labs.

Glass is heavier but a lifetime of use makes the heft seem normal to me. I prefer them because by my own experience, they are clearer and sharper than plastic - the opticians I've worked with think so too. They're easier to care for because you can wipe them clean with anything short of sandpaper. I detest lens scratches and generally speaking, glass lenses don't scratch at all.

I had to get a second pair of prescription sunglasses a couple of years ago and I was forced to get plastic lenses. A new car I bought has a heads-up display (which I love) and my glass sunglass lenses are polarized and block visibility of the heads up image. Non-polarized lenses in glass weren't available, so I got plastic lenses that were tinted dark grey. It works, I just like them less well so I use them only for that car. The frames are the popular Bausch and Lomb (Luxottica) brand but with the plastic lenses, the lightness make them seem flimsy to me. It's all what you're used to.

Thanks, Elmer. I prefer the clarity of glass overplastic as well. Much easier to clean and free of static dust. Maybe I’ll look into that sometime, especially if I get a plain distance TV lying down pair.

I suspect that titanium alloy glass frames will be repaired by laser or spot welding. I doubt these can he soldered or brazed. There will be discoloration that may be covered by a finish coating.

What is the style # for the frames?

The style # is 4470; color 40 6074

Jemdandy and others, I came across this page of quasi DIYers repairing their broken titanium frames.

“How to Solder Titanium”

https://www.finishing.com/277/00.shtml

looks like the site is for metal workers. One optimistic soul tried a hot glue gun.

I am soooo glad to hear all that about titanium frames, as I am due a new pair of glasses.

The glasses prior to the ones I am using now, I could not use. The shop/eye doc could not get the prescription right, and I ended up wearing my old glasses till it was time for the next new pair. I can get a new pair every other year... at least, up till now, wonder how medicare will work for me, after my birthday.

I will not get titanium for sure. thanks petalique for alerting us to this problem.

Moni

Oklamoni, I think that if you’re the sort who takes care to keep the glasses on your face, or away in their hard case, you might really like them (see upthread posts). They ARE lightweight and if you get the right script and lens fit, they make work well.

I gave mine to the optical shop to send out for repair. I’m fairly optimistic about the repair and I plan to get back to update folks, maybe with photos. what a shame that you couldn’t wear your last pair. The optician should have made it right. Is your prescription complicated. He “couldn’t get it right” shouldn’t be your problem. He could have refunded your $ if he could grind the lenses or take the correct reading. My script is pretty easy — no prisms, just about 1.25 for both OD and OS. Readers are ~ 1.25 and no intermediate correction needed.

Aren’t you the bicyclist? Maybe you‘d want windshield wipers and a bug shield ;-)

I know you're not talking about replacing your frames, but I just have to say I love my titanium ones from OVOO optics. I had expensive Tiffany frames where I had to tighten the screws every day. These have no screws and I put them through the wringer! I have natural monovision so my glasses are on and off one hundred times a day and these are 2 years old and still doing great! OVOO Optics titanium

OKmom and others just so you will not have a big surprise when you reach Medicare age. Medicare does not cover glasses. They would be covered by any Supplement or Advantage plan unless you can keep an employer based plan. This is something that you will have to look for as not all plans cover glasses or dental. There are vision plans that are sold separately most depend on the state you reside in.

"They would be covered by any Supplement or Advantage plan"

This isn't true. While the coverages for Medicare are consistent and apply to all, Medicare Supplement and Advantage plans have required similarities but are different from one to another insofar as what "extras" are covered and to what extent.

It's the same within the general medical insurance world. There's no such thing as THE UHC medical insurance plan, or THE Aetna plan. They all offer dozens of kinds and what is or isn't covered and to what extent varies by policy and so too as a result do the prices.

Buy new frames from ebay (above post) and have optician put lenses in new frames.

Some won't do that.

Thanks, mdln.

and, Elmer, I suspected that could very well be the case. Or, the charge may be steep. Some of these optical shops are guarded and pricy. Most of them have a good thing going and are protective of their turf, contacts, sources and so on. That’s business and there is likely a good amount of competition. However, I bet I could find someone to do it — for a price. What if someone from one coast moves across country and wants to keep their pricy frames while updating the lenses?

I already sent mine for repair and I am not crazy with the lenses in such a short frame — too much dithering to find the sweet spot. If they can’t be mended, I’ll Just use a hot glue gun after abrading the mend area (facetious). I’m resourceful (often). I once repaired an SUV rear windshield washer nozzle for $0.45 instead of paying for a whole new dealer installed washer unit. I just needed a teensy weensy patent tube. I was confident I’d stumble across something some day. Voila! A basketball inflating needle worked fine after I cut it to size, uncrimped it, and epoxied it into place.

clt3 — I’m happy to hear you love your frames. For me, it was (before they broke) the short lenses and (apparently) the “narrow channel” archetecture of the lenses. Okay for static driving, but they were awful for me if I needed to keep swapping fields (say when shopping). I guess I’m a tactile intolerant sort — I’m easily irritated by things around my face — hair, bangs, glasses, smudged eyeglasses, eyelashes in my eyes (or goop), hats that have a wide brim, long sleeves when working, tight shoes or waistbands, people too close; intrusive sounds like fans or keyboard clicks. I like near monastic silence, but with cool, clean fresh air, sky, vegetation and wildlife. To me, this is normal. I have no idea how anyone can think or create in a stifling environment in dress clothing (tight shoes or heels, a suit or dress with constricting waistline or jacket. If I cannot row a boat in it, I don’t want it on me. (And no, I don’t want to smell your charcoal grill or suffer your leaf blower racket.)

ETA “you” plural“ general

Just an off the cuff idea but it might be worth taking them to a local jeweler to see if they have the means to repair the frame. They're used to working on small and/or fragile items and most would likely have the tools and knowledge to make the repair IF it can be repaired. At worst, all they could do is say "no" and there would be no cost involved.

Elmer you missed this sentence. "This is something that you will have to look for as not all plans cover glasses or dental." OKmom mentioned "wonder how medicare will work for me" in commenting about glasses. If you actually read what I wrote I explained that glasses are not covered under Medicare. I should have added other than for certain conditions.

I stopped reading after coming to the sentence I copied and disagreed with, My disagreement stands, because to say eyeglasses are "covered by any Supplement or Advantage plan" isn't correct. Agree? You've contradicted yourself with the later sentence I missed but the second without the first seems correct.

Then explain where glasses are covered if you are on Medicare? Millions would like to know.

Wow has this been a demonstration of misunderstanding.

You said-." Medicare does not cover glasses.". I agree. And I said this is the same for all.

Then you said "They would be covered by any Supplement or Advantage plan". I said No, these are not the same for all, if covered it depends on the specific plan purchased. They're all different and many don't cover eyeglasses. This I know well, mine doesn't but the plan an oldster in the family has does.