# Looking for New Eyeglasses - But Not Much Money **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 23, 2010, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-new-eyeglasses-but-not-much-money/551170 "2010-08-23T16:40:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2010, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-new-eyeglasses-but-not-much-money/551170/61 "2010-09-25T06:35:58Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > UPDATE: > > I went for my eye exam today at WalMart. Just want to say that they are every bit as professional and thorough as any other eye exam I’ve had, and better than some. Given that some of my hobbies involve close-up work, and my job requires me to make accurate measures and such, the doctor said bifocals would make sense for me even though they cost more, and discussed the two pairs glasses (one near, one far), line bifocal, and progressive bifocal options. She also suggested, since my distance vision has changed almost not at all, that I keep my current distance glasses as an emergency backup. The doctor made sure I had a copy of my prescription before I left. > > As soon as I said cost was a concern they were very good about that, very clear about choices, trade-offs and costs but I experienced no upselling or high pressure sales tactics. The lady doing the ordering/fitting did a very fine job of asking me what I’ve done in the past, what I liked, what I did not like, and again, laying out choices and being sensitive to costs. They were able to reuse one of my old frames. I am getting progressive bifocals with hi-index lenses and anti-scratch coating. They cost $250, which was $50 less than the estimate. In addition, they come with a full year guarantee against major damage or defect. > > I should be about to pick them up next Thursday or Friday. > > I want to publicly thank everyone who helped me pay for these, your generosity is very much appreciated, and thank those who recommended this particular WalMart location. Here’s something you can do with your backup distance glasses: you can get stick-on removable bifocal lenses (little half-moons that you stick onto your glasses) for very cheap. [This](http://www.eabco.com/store/products/Stick_On_Bifocals_Reading_Lenses_for_Glasses_Wearers-1809-108.html) is one type, but there are lots of places that sell them. I got by with them for a long time before I found new frames I liked. ---
**Author:** ![missred](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/missred/32/14096_2.png) [@missred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missred)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2010, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-new-eyeglasses-but-not-much-money/551170/62 "2010-09-25T11:59:17Z")
Another thing to do with the last pair of glasses since your distance 'scrip didn’t change much, is to have them tinted for sunglasses. Wally World just charged me $20 to do mine. No more fumbling with clip ons. 🙂 ---
**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:** [September 25, 2010, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-new-eyeglasses-but-not-much-money/551170/63 "2010-09-25T13:32:00Z")
Well, for one thing even with the highest index/thinnest lenses my lens are too thick for clips ons. I expect someone to come here and express doubt about that, but nonetheless it is true. I am not tinting my backup lenses because if ever I DO need them I’ll need them for the week or so it will take to get new lenses for my main pair, and sunglasses are impractical for things like driving at night or being indoors, which will be required in such a case. I use completely dorky [“solar shields”](http://www.amazon.com/Solarshield-gray-sunglasses-one-pair/dp/B000X9N5YQ) that fit entirely over my prescription lenses. They also have the virtue of providing _protection_ to my expensive lenses. I though a pair of those a year - at the end of that time they are so scratched and marred as to be useless. Indoors on the job I wear safety goggles when appropriate - yes, over my glasses. Dorky as hell, but again, it protects the expensive lenses as well as my eyes. As always, though, your mileage may vary and I’m sure someone else will be able to use the tip. ---
**Author:** ![BrittanyDawnSmith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9fc29f/32.png) [@BrittanyDawnSmith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrittanyDawnSmith)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-new-eyeglasses-but-not-much-money/551170/64 "2012-11-07T16:34:07Z")
- How is Wal-Mart vision center? I shudder to think I may be going to Wal-Mart for this, but if I can get a competent exam and the new lenses I need there I’ll grit my teeth and do it. - I still have my high-qualify titanium frames that I still very much like. Are these places willing to put new lenses in frames I provide? I have always used Walmart Vision Center. They tend to have the lowest prices, i am a very broke college student, and i cannot legally drive with out corrective lenses. So i look for the cheapest, yet, most favorable, glasses. Walmart has never let me down. I am actually headed in tommorrow to get some new glasses, it is almost as expensive to get a new frame all together than to get new lenses in your old glassses, so i just get new glasses every time. But hey the prices aren’t bad at all. I’m looking forward to purchesing with Walmart Vision Center. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-new-eyeglasses-but-not-much-money/551170/65 "2012-11-07T20:40:00Z")
Since this thread is long over and done with, I’m closing it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-new-eyeglasses-but-not-much-money/551170.md?page=3)