# Cheap Glasses, Cheap Checkup **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 7, 2011, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-glasses-cheap-checkup/591835 "2011-08-07T17:00:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2011, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-glasses-cheap-checkup/591835/1 "2011-08-07T17:00:31Z")
I have a friend with a very heavy prescription for glasses (he’s close to what you would call “cokebottle”), and glasses that are seriously banged up. Actually banged up is not even the right phrase. His lenses are banged up and his frames are frames he bought off the Internet and then shoved/taped his lenses in. Seriously, it’s bad. Anyway I know some of you guys have posted about awesome sites for buying extremely cheap glasses. Care to share again? Also does anyone know if you can get heavy/weird prescriptions at these Internet stores? I know he does have pretty messed up eyes so it would be a very straightforward prescription. He probably needs a script to get glasses and I am guessing he doesn’t have his last one from several years ago. So does anyone know if there is anywhere to get a very cheap checkup with prescription? For example, is Wal Mart cheap? ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2011, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-glasses-cheap-checkup/591835/2 "2011-08-07T20:01:55Z")
I’ll look for the name in a bit, maybe I still have one of their cards, but, there should be at least a couple of discount eyeglass stores around you, or in a nearby large city. My last exam and glasses thing cost me about 100 bucks. Fairly stylish, too. Go to an eye doctor who doesn’t sell eyeglasses. Call around for prices. Best wishes, hh ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2011, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-glasses-cheap-checkup/591835/3 "2011-08-07T20:10:40Z")
I wish I could offer advice, but even with insurance and cheap places my lenses are easily the most expensive part of my eyeglasses and I’ve yet to pay less than a couple hundred for them. Usually it’s more. So instead I’ll hang out here \ and hope someone has a good online place to recommend so I can get another pair or two. Although with trifocals I’m not sure they can define the three areas very well from online…Oh, and my prescription changes every couple years due to hyperactive-wtf-let’s jump to the other eye this time! astigmatism, so generally I just go several years being unable to see well before I cough up the cash. \ I actually faked my last eye test at the dmv. Yep, they let me hold my own hand over my own eyes to test, so…when it came time for my super-gimpy left eye \ to be tested, I held my hand over my right eye…and opened my fingers. And they let me get away with it! Which is good, as I drive fine and there is no way I could live around here without a driver’s license. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2011, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-glasses-cheap-checkup/591835/4 "2011-08-07T20:39:49Z")
Zenni optical. > **[zennispecs.com - This website is for sale! - zennispecs...](http://www.zennispecs.com/)** > > This website is for sale! zennispecs.com is your first and best source for all of the information you’re looking for. From general topics to more of what you would expect to find here, zennispecs.com has it all. We hope you find what you are... ---
**Author:** ![qubed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f07891/32.png) [@qubed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/qubed)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2011, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-glasses-cheap-checkup/591835/5 "2011-08-07T20:43:55Z")
Cheap, but not super cheap: Warby Parker ([http://www.warbyparker.com/](http://www.warbyparker.com/)) if you like that aesthetic. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2011, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-glasses-cheap-checkup/591835/6 "2011-08-07T20:49:19Z")
I, too, have a very heavy prescription. Last time I needed new glasses I went to Wal-Mart I was _very_ pleasantly surprised. The check up I got there was as thorough and professional as any I’ve had. I was given several options for lens material, coating, and frames. The price was extremely reasonable. If your friend needs an exam or updated prescription he should consider Wal-Mart optical (of course, I strongly encourage anyone to shop around, too). After he gets an updated prescription he can either order new glasses from them or from on-line - where I went they were very matter of fact and asked if I’d be ordering from them or someone else, they really seemed open to either way of doing things. ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2011, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-glasses-cheap-checkup/591835/7 "2011-08-07T22:03:14Z")
Awesome suggestions, thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Sateryn76](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Sateryn76](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sateryn76)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2011, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-glasses-cheap-checkup/591835/8 "2011-08-07T22:19:28Z")
I second WalMart. ---
**Author:** ![chiroptera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2011, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-glasses-cheap-checkup/591835/9 "2011-08-07T22:52:40Z")
I just got my first prescription glasses - for regular aging eyes - at the Evil Empire, Wal-Mart. The exam was $50, glasses were pretty inexpensive and I bought them there but once I decide I can live with progressive bifocals, I’ll shop Zenni. The Warby Parker site has some really nice-looking frames, too. I shopped around but $80 was the cheapest eye exam I could find elsewhere. ---
**Author:** ![rhubarbarin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eb9ed0/32.png) [@rhubarbarin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhubarbarin)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-glasses-cheap-checkup/591835/10 "2011-08-08T00:12:28Z")
Since he needs an exam - the only physical eyeglass store I’ve utilized in 15 years is America’s Best. Right now they’re doing a package deal of $69.99 for a full eye exam plus two pairs of frames with basic lenses. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-glasses-cheap-checkup/591835/11 "2011-08-08T00:19:06Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Last time I needed new glasses I went to Wal-Mart I was _very_ pleasantly surprised. I was just going to suggest Sam’s Club. I believe they charge $50 for a non-dilated eye exam. They were, IIRC, a few dollars more then the place I went to before that, but they were waaaay cheaper on contacts and I didn’t feel like making two trips so I just get everything done there. Sam Club is, by far, the cheapest place I’ve ever found for contacts, and that includes Wal-Mart and 1800contacts. Wal-mart gets their contacts from 1800Contacts, Sam’s Club doesn’t which accounts for the price difference. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-glasses-cheap-checkup/591835/12 "2011-08-08T00:30:54Z")
Sam’s Club would require a membership to Sam’s Club tho, right? I think the link **gonzomax** wanted to share was [http://www.zennioptical.com/](http://www.zennioptical.com/) … the one he gave seems like either a link farm or an affiliate of Zenni. That’s perfect tho, thanks **gonzomax** , and everyone else. Feel free to share more stories and options! ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-glasses-cheap-checkup/591835/13 "2011-08-08T00:32:40Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > Sam’s Club would require a membership to Sam’s Club tho, right? Yeah, but it’s just a matter of finding someone who has one to go with you (or your friend in this case). The person that’s getting the exam or buying the glasses doesn’t necessarily need one. ---
**Author:** ![ladyfoxfyre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ad7895/32.png) [@ladyfoxfyre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladyfoxfyre)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-glasses-cheap-checkup/591835/14 "2011-08-08T01:42:58Z")
Sometimes I see Groupons for eye exams, maybe around $39. Check your local Groupon periodically and see if any show up. ---
**Author:** ![ENugent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/4af34b/32.png) [@ENugent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ENugent)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-glasses-cheap-checkup/591835/15 "2011-08-08T02:00:02Z")
I haven’t had an exam there, but my current glasses came from Costco and were very reasonable. ---
**Author:** ![spikspigl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/898d66/32.png) [@spikspigl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spikspigl)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-glasses-cheap-checkup/591835/16 "2011-08-08T17:36:13Z")
Try [http://www.tenspex.com](http://www.tenspex.com). My prescription is not so heavy, only +2.25 on my right eye and +2.50 on my left eye. I got [these](http://www.tenspex.com/index.php/frames/plastic-frames/ernest-hemingway/feh4613.html) from them for $130… they’re pretty cool. ---
**Author:** ![Adelaide31](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@Adelaide31](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Adelaide31)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2011, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-glasses-cheap-checkup/591835/17 "2011-08-23T00:50:50Z")
If your friend’s prescription is really strong, I suggest choosing high index lenses and small frames. You can check the online glasses shop Zenni Optical where you can find thinner lenses and various frames at very affordable prices. I always purchase glasses from Zenni for my son who has very bad vision. All of his glasses are light weight with thin lenses. Hope this can help. ---
**Author:** ![urban1a](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e47c2d/32.png) [@urban1a](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/urban1a)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2011, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-glasses-cheap-checkup/591835/18 "2011-08-23T02:36:37Z")
FYI for ordering online. Zenni, at least, and probably others, require the _ **pupil distance** _ measurement which is normally done by the optician filling the prescription, but the doctor examining your eyes can give that distance (PD) as well, just ask him or her to write it on your prescription. Bob ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2011, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-glasses-cheap-checkup/591835/19 "2011-08-23T21:50:48Z")
> [@urban1a](#): > > FYI for ordering online. Zenni, at least, and probably others, require the _ **pupil distance** _ measurement which is normally done by the optician filling the prescription, but the doctor examining your eyes can give that distance (PD) as well, just ask him or her to write it on your prescription. > > Bob I got my last eye exam and glasses a few years ago at Walmart. The tech can do a pupil distance measurement in about 10 seconds, and if you’re getting an eye exam he/she will be willing to do that for you for free. Insist if you have to, but I don’t think you’d have to insist very hard. For my next pair of glasses I’m going to get another Walmart exam, and glasses from Zenni. A pair there will be significantly more expensive than the base price if your friend decides to compact the lenses to make them lighter (I forget what that’s called since I don’t need them, I have simple mild far-sightedness), but they’ll still be cheaper there than anywhere else.