$440 for lenses???

[LearnedHand]

I just spend $440 for spectacle (eyeglass) lenses. That's right - no actual specs were purchased - just the new lenses. And they don't even have anti-glare and all that!! The reason they were so pricey is, supposedly, that 1. I have a high prescription (-7.5 or so), which means that they have to be a special lightweight plastic, not glass; 2. they are bifocals, since I cannot read well with the regular nearsightedness precription and 3. they are progressive bifocals, not the ones with the line. The line supposedly reflects light and is annoying.

Does this sound reasonable to you guys? I justified it by reasoning that I'd be looking through these lenses every day for about the next 3 years. Another place gave me a slightly lower, though still very high, estimate.

Someone kill me now.

[Kitty]

That's crazy. I think my eyeglasses (lenses and frames) were about $350 total and that was partly because i got designer frames. My insurance paid $150.

That sucks!

[wordsmith]

Mine are generally around $350 bucks or so, and that's if I go to a discount place like LensCrafters (which I always do).

Same problem, high prescription, have to be the more expensive polycarbonate-type materials due to weight of such a potentially thick lens. Progressive bifocals on top of a high scrip DEFINITELY would up the price, sorry to say. Both my parents have high scrips and progressive bifocals, and they pay out the nose, too. It's just the plight of us blind folks. Specialty lenses are insanely expensively priced.

Contacts are no better for me, because I have astigmatism, which means I can only wear toric lenses, which area always more expensive than non-toric.

Having exceptionally bad vision is damned expensive.

[Winter Storm]

I just spend $440 for spectacle (eyeglass) lenses. That's right - no actual specs were purchased - just the new lenses. And they don't even have anti-glare and all that!! The reason they were so pricey is, supposedly, that 1. I have a high prescription (-7.5 or so), which means that they have to be a special lightweight plastic, not glass; 2. they are bifocals, since I cannot read well with the regular nearsightedness precription and 3. they are progressive bifocals, not the ones with the line. The line supposedly reflects light and is annoying.

Does this sound reasonable to you guys? I justified it by reasoning that I'd be looking through these lenses every day for about the next 3 years. Another place gave me a slightly lower, though still very high, estimate.

Someone kill me now.

Let's see:
1) -7.5
2) progressive bifocals
3) special lightweight, probably polycarbonate or better
4) I'm assuming no vision insurance, coupons or discounts
5) didn't go to Lenscrafters

Yep, that sound about right, unfortunately. I know for my prescriptions
(-4.50), if I didn't have insurance and got the really good lenses, they would run at least $200 right now (at Lenscrafters) but I have single vision and progressives (no-line bifocals) cost even more.

So do you have insurance? Do they take a AAA discount? Any coupons you can use? Reimbursements? Anything?

[meatwad]

I broke mine a couple of weeks ago. A little apoxy and good as used again!

[cache]

Yep, that sound about right, unfortunately. I know for my prescriptions
(-4.50), if I didn't have insurance and got the really good lenses, they would run at least $200 right now (at Lenscrafters) but I have single vision and progressives (no-line bifocals) cost even more.



Want to share glasses? I have the same prescription. Except I wear contacts.

[wordsmith]

Also worth mentioning:

I was also told that due to vision deterioration from the past half dozen years of extensive computer work, I was probably well-suited to getting bifocals. I balked at it, being 26 at the time and not really wanting to wear bifocals. My optometrist instead gave me the option of getting a second pair of glasses, same prescription but with a magnifying factor additionally, for reading and computer work. So I wear those at work.

It's not any cheaper to get a pair of regular glasses and a pair of reading/computer glasses that do the necessary magnification, it costs about the same to just buy both instead of one pair with the bifocal lens. But for me, it was more about not wanting to be in my midtwenties and wearing bifocals.

[Winter Storm]

Want to share glasses? I have the same prescription. Except I wear contacts.

Oh damn, I just realized I was wrong. I'm a -4.75, no astigmatism in both eyes. How the hell could I miss that. Time for a checkup I guess. :0

[Irish79]

Do you qualify for getting the lasik eye surgery? Seems like even though this is also very spendy, it would pay for itself with the amount you'd save on not having to buy expensive lenses... I'm going to look into it myself. :)

[allie1105]

Do you qualify for getting the lasik eye surgery? Seems like even though this is also very spendy, it would pay for itself with the amount you'd save on not having to buy expensive lenses... I'm going to look into it myself. :)

I had it! There is a whole thread regarding this, not sure where, but there is a ton of good information!

[wordsmith]

Do you qualify for getting the lasik eye surgery?

Not sure about the OP, but I'm up in the sevens, myself, and I don't. Plus, my glasses are pretty much a part of me, I feel naked without them and have never preferred to go without.

[dacrunkest]

I am a heavy contact user because I think I can see better with contacts (don't know if this is true or not, maybe just a mental thing), and I can buy a year's worth of those little thingies for about $99.00 through America's Best.

[wordsmith]

I am a heavy contact user because I think I can see better with contacts (don't know if this is true or not, maybe just a mental thing), and I can buy a year's worth of those little thingies for about $99.00 through America's Best.

You don't have astigmatism, do you? Even though 1-800-Contacts, a half-year's supply of mine (Bausch & Lomb SofLens66 Toric, the only lenses I've had success wearing) cost me more than 200 bucks. Any wonder I don't wear them often/order new supplies often?

[dacrunkest]

the doctor says I have a slight ast. in my left eye, but not enough to require toric so I just wear the regular throw aways. I get 24 pair for $99. My eyesight is really bad though (-9L, -6.50R), so I am not a candidate for LASIK...

I don't even own a pair of glasses anymore...I should probably get a pair for emergencies...

[SmilesSoSweet]

I think I paid about that much when I got new contacts and lenses last year. I kept my same frames because I really like them so why change them?

I do have astigamtism in both eyes, and my vision is like -5.5 and -6.0 so contacts were expensive too. I have a one year supply of contacts that I'm stretching out for at least a good two years only because I can't afford to get new contacts and lenses every year.

I paid extra to have my lenses thinned and I also have transition lenses as well.

I don't have vision insurance so all of that came out of my own pocket as well.

[wordsmith]

I think I paid about that much when I got new contacts and lenses last year. I kept my same frames because I really like them so why change them?

I do have astigamtism in both eyes, and my vision is like -5.5 and -6.0 so contacts were expensive too. I have a one year supply of contacts that I'm stretching out for at least a good two years only because I can't afford to get new contacts and lenses every year.

I paid extra to have my lenses thinned and I also have transition lenses as well.

I don't have vision insurance so all of that came out of my own pocket as well.

I ALLLWAYS stretch out my contacts, since I wear them very sparingly. I don't go through them quickly at all since I'm not a daily wearer.

[benilaw]

Your script is -7 and you're paying over $400 for lenses alone???
My actual script is like -15, - 19 (the most I can get is like -13). The total cost for my glasses are usually around $400 but out here in the midwest, I saved $100! The best part is that I don't have superthick square-shaped polycarbonate glasses anymore! They're round and look semi-normal.
I noticed there was a price difference btwn the east coast (NJ/NYC) and here in the midwest so that might be a factor.
Have you shopped around for different quotes? I went to a couple of places (Pearl - too expensive and the frames were horrible) before I settled.

[spiritedaway]

I have a pair of glasses (not up to prescription - I think I'm around -5.0 now) from a few years back, but ever since, I have opted for contact lenses because I'm an active person. I got daily disposable contacts and the price is around the same if I were to replace the lenses at the office (most of their frames also START at $150+). I have mild astigmatism, but it's not strong enough that I need toric? contacts yet.

Lately, my contacts have been bothering me (especially since I'm always at the computer at work and I've been staying late), so I'm going back to glasses. I decided to shop around for a decently priced one and found one I liked at Costco (frame itself costs around $59). The lenses (which will be high index, transition lenses) costs around $160. It's a much better deal than what's offered at the optical place I go to. I'm in Northeast, if geography makes a difference. I need a up-to-date prescription glasses on days I don't want to wear contacts and need to drive (and I can stretch out the supply too). I haven't gotten the glasses yet, but I am looking forward to getting it. It fits me, but I just hope it's good quality enough to last!