Eyeglasses shopping archived

I posted elsewhere that I lost my expensive eyeglasses last weekend. I even dug through two bags of kitchen trash thinking they fell in somehow but I had no luck in finding them.

Since I am away from home, I went to the local mom and pop optical shop and chose an inexpensive replacement pair. I also went online and ordered a second mid-priced pair that I "think" will look good. (I have been VERY impressed with the customer service and technology offered by FramesDirect.com BTW)

Wouldn't it be nice if some service offered a series of frame suggestions for customers to try on based on the styles that they have already chosen and like? I have an impossible face to work with and I would love to know if there are other frames out there with the approxiamte same size and shape lenses. Even subtle changes, like having the same shape lenses but 2 mm wider lenses, can ruin the look.

Zenni optical has a frames 'try on' feature. pix of folks w/ diff face shapes you can superimpose frames you're considering. It may have a feature allowing you to load your own face etc. Not important enough for me to really pay much attention to.

Warby Parker! They'll send you 5 frames of your choosing to try on before you order the "real" glasses. If you don't fill up your order of 5, they'll add some that are similar to the ones you've chosen. But you can keep ordering boxes until you find some you like. I got some great eyeglasses from them on the first try, but I just got my 2nd box of sunglasses to try on because I didn't like any of the first 5 I ordered (success this time, yay!).

Trying on is so important, not only to see how they look (because that extra millimeter really makes a difference, like you said!), but how they fit too. A few of the sunglasses frames wouldn't stay on my face if I tilted my head down, which is no good.

Good luck!

Not helpful, since you're out of town, but EyeQ in Millburn has an ongoing deal on Groupon. Plus, he's a really nice guy.

Apollo_T said:

Zenni optical has a frames 'try on' feature. pix of folks w/ diff face shapes you can superimpose frames you're considering. It may have a feature allowing you to load your own face etc. Not important enough for me to really pay much attention to.

Wow, this website is really cheap!
Did you ever order glasses from them? Wondering if they're decent...

Rubydee said:

Apollo_T said:

Zenni optical has a frames 'try on' feature. pix of folks w/ diff face shapes you can superimpose frames you're considering. It may have a feature allowing you to load your own face etc. Not important enough for me to really pay much attention to.

Wow, this website is really cheap!
Did you ever order glasses from them? Wondering if they're decent...

Zenni was recommended here a couple of yrs ago. I think several folks had used and rec'ed them.

Yes I did buy a pair from them. I was pleased by the quality of the frames. Customer service at the toll free phone provided was helpful and pleasant. I will buy from them again.

Big caveat my Rx is quite mild, simple reading glasses. I can't say anything about more complex Rx. let's hope someone who can speak about that issue will do so.

I've had great luck with Zenni. It is especially good for kids that tend to lose glasses. I use them everyday and thanks to the low prices have backups. I have very bad vision and have to have backups.

I have used FramesDirect. Good selection and good prices. They offer sizes I can't get from any optician.

They do offer lenses too, but there is no money back guarantee on prescription lenses. I bought frames only, and had lenses made by Pearl locally.

sareason,
Is yr RX more complex than strong magnification?

sareason said:

I've had great luck with Zenni. It is especially good for kids that tend to lose glasses. I use them everyday and thanks to the low prices have backups. I have very bad vision and have to have backups.

Prices are amazing, and some of the frames look cute. What's the catch?...

My script is -7.00 -1.25 x10 and -8.75 -1.00 x165. For those who know nothing about eyeglass scripts, those numbers mean I'm very nearsighted (high myopia) AND I have an astigmatism to boot.

I've purchased eyeglasses at zenni and am completely satisfied with them. Because of my high Rx my glasses are very thick unless I go for high index lenses. My last brick and mortar pair cost me around $559. I purchased a pair with the same high index lenses (they have a few different levels available) from zenni and the cost was about $59. Since we no longer have vision coverage and we are on a budget the price difference is huge.

Also, in the past I only bought one pair of Rx sunglasses, and it was a splurge from when we were DINKS. Now with zenni I can afford a pair of Rx sunglasses without blowing the budget. So when my vision gets worse as it does every couple of years I can now afford new sunglasses instead of using the old pair that was the old Rx.

A tip I was told by an optician for those with strong prescriptions like I have, if you wish you can save a few bucks on your sunglasses by not getting as high an index lens. They correct your vision the same, the high index lenses are used so it doesn't look like you are wearing coke bottles. Because sunglass lenses are tinted the glass can be a bit thicker without making you look bad since the tint camouflages the coke bottle effect.

@spontaneous, @sareason, I have progressive which is not the same as just a higher lens magnifications, etc. the progressive lens allow me to see and read, so I do not have to change glasses. At points of the lenses the prescription changes. Do either of you have those lenses.

I technically need them, but have so far resisted buying them. My Rx is still to the point where I can still get away with squinting when I need to read.

Sorry I can't help you with that.

Thanks, that is why I am reluctant to order by mail even with my PD, I have been advised not to my Ophthalmologists‎ as where the transition starts and ends and the size of the frames is very important and he does not think it can be done by mail.