Best value lenses for glasses?

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jacli

32 posts

Geek

#99849 28-Mar-2012 17:22

This is kind of similar to a thread I saw here a while back, but not quite the same.

I was thinking of getting a pair of designer frames online, and then getting the lenses here as well as an eye test.
My eyes aren't too bad, but it gets difficult to see smaller text if I'm sitting at the back half of a lecture theatre, and other inconvenient things like this.

I was wondering how much lenses would cost, and whether some of the addons are worth it, like polycarbonate

mattRSK

822 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#601422 28-Mar-2012 17:24

It goes on index, higher the index the thinner the lens. Higher the index, higher the price.

jacli

32 posts

Geek

#601426 28-Mar-2012 17:28

My eyes aren't too bad, just trouble reading small text when I'm not up close to it.

Do you have any idea what kind of price range I would be looking at, or any recommendations on where I should go for them?

NickiB

147 posts

Master Geek

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#601430 28-Mar-2012 17:31

I have done this in the past, as I was skeptical about ordering lenses to my prescription from overseas and wanted to be able to go back a local optometrist in case there was any issue with the lenses. Saved quite a bit overall, though you can save even more by getting the whole package overseas. I've since had a full set of frames and lenses sent from overseas, and there was no issue (it was a freebie from clearly contacts so it didn't matter if anything was wrong). You can get your prescription from any optometrist and take it elsewhere to buy glasses, but if it's the first time you're wearing glasses, you may also want the option to go back if the lenses aren't right.

I always get the reflective coating, as the only extra. It makes for clearer lenses so people can see your eyes better, without having reflections from lights/the sun.

nOOb alert

stevenz

2802 posts

Uber Geek

#601431 28-Mar-2012 17:33

I'm puzzled why people buy "designer" frames. Non-designer ones can be had that'll look nigh identical, and for a fraction of the price. I could hardly care less what name is stamped on the side. Their primary function is to hold the bits of glass, or polycarbonate or whatever they're made of, in front of my eyes.

Not looking completely ridiculous is secondary, but I may be in a minority there given what some people are happy to be seen wearing. Beauty in the eye and all that.

Has anyone noticed any perceived difference in the quality of the lenses themselves between a "proper" optometrist and one of the many cut-price alternatives that have popped up in recent years?

@KnightNZ

NonprayingMantis

6434 posts

Uber Geek

#601432 28-Mar-2012 17:35

Some kinds of lenses won?t work with certain types of glasses, so check with your optom first.

jacli

32 posts

Geek

#601434 28-Mar-2012 17:37

Thanks for the replies guys.

Any optometrist recommendations?
Or any overpriced ones I should avoid?

bazzer

3438 posts

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#601818 29-Mar-2012 11:32

NickiB: I always get the reflective coating, as the only extra. It makes for clearer lenses so people can see your eyes better, without having reflections from lights/the sun.

Plus it improves light transmission and also reduces glare of the back of the lens (into your eye) which can be very distracting. Definitely recomend AR coating!

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Jaxson

8044 posts

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#601856 29-Mar-2012 12:14

I personally would stay well away from polycarbonate. It's marketed as the wonder material, always considered an upgrade.

However it's the worst by a long way in terms of refraction/prism effect of spreading the light when you view things off centre. Sometimes you'll have to do something if you have a strong prescription, but personally I'd stay well away from polycarbonate....

http://www.ecpmag.com/1webmagazine/2008/08aug/content/through_the_lens/abbe-number.asp

jacli

32 posts

Geek

#601972 29-Mar-2012 15:25

Thanks again for the replies guys.

I assume my prescription shouldn't be too strong.
I'll definitely look into getting the AR coating too.

Any opinions on specsavers/OPSM?
I guess I will be going in the next week or so for my eye exam/lenses.

Jaxson

8044 posts

Uber Geek

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#601973 29-Mar-2012 15:29

Have you read the recent thread on online glasses purchasing?
It may not directly relate, but a lot of the content is probably useful.

Personally I'd go to a well established place for the eye exam, even if it's a bit dearer. It would be case by case, but you may get a better result that way. As said above, you can then take that prescription elsewhere. Just make sure you get the PD distance from them as often they are sneaky and leave that bit out!

ronw

1222 posts

Uber Geek

#602131 29-Mar-2012 19:46

I would recommend Specsavers, they have a good reputation and the story behind them is worth reading up on.
As someone who was silly enough to by a pai
r of varifocal lenses from OPSM and had to pay north of $2K I tried Specsavers and got two pairs for a quarter of the OPSM price.
They do the exam and supply the glasses well worth a look

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