Buying prescription glasses online

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invisibleman18

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Topic # 223568 6-Oct-2017 09:58

Has anyone done this and if so what website would you recommend?

My partner is pretty blind and does a lot of running (15-20km a day) and we are looking to get a cheap pair of prescription sunglasses that would be suitable to use for this. She has managed to lose the old pair she was using and doesn't want to use her nice expensive pair for sport. We got a copy of her latest prescription from Specsavers so wondering which sites are reliable as there seem to be a lot of options.

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Banana?
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Reply # 1878353 6-Oct-2017 10:09

I've used both Clearly.co.nz and 39dollarglasses.com with a prescription from Specsavers. I have a fat head, so just about every frame in Specsavers is too small for me. These sites generally have a couple that fit me OK.

Both have been fine, and say what they do on the tin.

The prescription Specsavers gave you probably doesn't include PD (pupillary distance) but both those websites show you how to measure it yourself.

timmmay

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Reply # 1878358 6-Oct-2017 10:22

I've used Clearly, 39 dollar glasses, and probably a couple of others I can't recall the name of right now. None have done a good job. All glasses my optometrist makes are great. The glasses I get from the online vendors never work as well, cause eye strain, etc. I'll probably never buy glasses online again.

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NorthernZone

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Reply # 1878373 6-Oct-2017 10:53

I'd certainly recommend you check out the ordering process with 39dollarglasses.com - I think their website answers all the questions I had about it all. Put in your details and choose your frames & lenses and see what sort of price you end up with (even if you're not yet ready to order).

The first time I bought from them I was a little embarrassed that all my selections still didn't increase my price above their ultra-cheap bottom $39 so - to avoid looking like a real cheap-skate - instead of the ordinary clam-shell glasses case (free) I ordered a designer Italian leather case which boosted my price by all of $4.95. And a week later my new glasses were in my letter-box!

Since then my prescription has changed and I pay about $40 extra for progressive lenses but it's still a real bargain. Plenty of other options too. And you may want fancy designer branded frames and they'll probably increase the price - but not by a helluva lot.

For useful articles on buying glasses online I suggest: https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2017/02/what-you-need-to-know-when-buying-glasses-online/ and, for options to 39dollarglasses: https://lifehacker.com/five-best-online-glasses-stores-1603858245.

BTW, I have found local optometrists are a bit reluctant to pass over your prescription - you do need to ask for it - but legally they are obliged to give it to you (not doing so could be "third line forcing" in breach of the Commerce Act). And do get them to include your PD (pupillary distance) as well (but not a biggy). If you're shy you could suggest you want to take your prescription with you when you travel!

invisibleman18

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Reply # 1878397 6-Oct-2017 11:30

Thanks for the helpful replies, will check out the options on those sites. I wasn't with her when she asked for her prescription yesterday but sounds like they just printed it with no questions asked. I haven't looked at it yet and assume it won't include the PD but have seen the guides on how to measure it so we should be able to do that.

sbiddle

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Reply # 1878398 6-Oct-2017 11:34

The main thing is knowing your PD - it's highly doubtful this will be on your prescription.

nickb800

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Reply # 1878417 6-Oct-2017 12:16

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Zenni is great - I've ordered a couple of pairs myself, as have some colleagues, all happy

knoydart

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Reply # 1878419 6-Oct-2017 12:17

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NorthernZone: BTW, I have found local optometrists are a bit reluctant to pass over your prescription - you do need to ask for it - but legally they are obliged to give it to you (not doing so could be "third line forcing" in breach of the Commerce Act). And do get them to include your PD (pupillary distance) as well (but not a biggy). If you're shy you could suggest you want to take your prescription with you when you travel!

Your prescription is a medical record and as such you have every right to access it. If the optician gets grumpy, time to spend your money elsewhere for your next eye exam.

MikeB4

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Reply # 1878435 6-Oct-2017 12:47

I am a life long glasses wearer. Getting glasses is not just bout the lens it is also the fit. Getting this wrong affects how the lenses work and also can be quite painful if they are ill filling especially on the nose and behind the ears. Buying online would make it a very hit or miss affair for getting the right fit.

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DjShadow

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Reply # 1878499 6-Oct-2017 14:55

I've used Clearly.co.nz also, never had a problem with them and the quality is great.

jonathan18

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Reply # 1878773 7-Oct-2017 07:02

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I'd also recommend Clearly. I've had amazing service with them - actually better than any optician here, especially cheap retailers like SpecSavers. For example, with my latest pair I had to switch to progressives: to walk me through it, given my astigmatism is substantial, a Clearly optician gave me a call and talked to me for 20 minutes; gave hints on the best kind of frames to choose etc. Later on he arranged for me to be sent a pair of glasses with a new lens type they were trialing - these were completely free.

A couple of tips for buying online:

* Get your PD measured by an optician. No, this isn't provided on a SpecSavers script, but I just called into a different local optician and paid them $10 to do this. In my case, Clearly even deducted this cost from the bill I paid them, but either way I think it's worth getting it done professionally.

* Take notice of the frame measurements provided on the site, and compare these carefully with a pair of current (and comfortable) glasses. The chance of a good fit is far greater if you do this! (My current pair are the most comfortable pair I've ever had - and I've worn glasses since I was 18 months old!)

invisibleman18

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Reply # 1879152 7-Oct-2017 17:13

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We took the plunge and ordered a pair from 39 dollar glasses. Will report back on how they work out.

rosco62

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Reply # 1879560 8-Oct-2017 22:58

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I have tried a couple of sites, recently ordered a pair of progressive glasses from Zenni . Was impressed with their website and tools. You upload a photo (headshot) and it will show you how any frames you want to try will look, it superimposes them on your picture. So you can See how they look. I tHink I spent around $89.00 , received the glasses within about 10 days and I was really impressed. In all honesty I can see better with the Zenni ones than I can with my $950 pair from Visique, same prescription. Something very wrong with the way we are being ripped off here in NZ

farcus

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Reply # 1879578 9-Oct-2017 05:12

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been ordering from Zenni Optical for a number of years. Probably bought about ten pairs from them - mostly progressives but also some single vision reading glasses.
Been happy wiith every purchase. Feels much better spending $50 on a pair of progressives than $700 at the local optometrist.

invisibleman18

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Reply # 1884896 17-Oct-2017 10:02

They arrived yesterday so only took a week. The frames seem pretty good quality and she said the prescription seems right. Was just worried I had measured the PD wrong but it all seemed to be ok. First run with them is this morning so hopefully they do the job and don't fall apart or get lost.

MikeAqua

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Reply # 1884902 17-Oct-2017 10:14

I bought a pair of prescription Seaspecs sunglasses. They are designed for aquatic sports, are secured by a strap instead of arms and are anti-fog. I bought them for fishing but also used for mountain biking and other outdoor activities.

From memory $200US and available tinted (polarised) or clear.

If you want to see some in the flesh Gill do a re-badge of Seaspecs (non-prescription) which Burnsco and presumably other boating supply stores stock.

Mike

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