# My adventure with super cheap prescription glasses. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 17, 2016, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-adventure-with-super-cheap-prescription-glasses/757636 "2016-06-17T19:45:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2016, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-adventure-with-super-cheap-prescription-glasses/757636/1 "2016-06-17T19:45:47Z")
So… over the last few years I have been buying glasses from [www.eyebuydirect.com](http://www.eyebuydirect.com) with generally good results. With applicable sales (I buy when BOGO frame sales are on) the pricing usually comes out to around $35-$60 a pair depending on frame cost and lens options. A good deal and much better than the $400 a pair I used to pay at the optician’s office 10 years ago. The other day a site called [www.goggles4u.com](http://www.goggles4u.com) was touting a 10 pair of prescription glasses deal. I pay more than that for a few beers so I decided to try it out. It was interesting. The "deal" price is only applicable if you choose the plain jane generic lens which have no coatings and area bit thicker than the polycarbonate lens. To get the better lens and various hydrophobic, UV and anti glare- anti reflection coatings would be 20-30 extra. I kept it all low ball with no coatings to get the price. So I get the generic plastic frames and generic lenses all in for about 9. delivered. I got the glasses yesterday and they are OK. The prescription appears to be correct. The frames on the 10 deal glasses are basically the same style and quality as you would see on a $ 5 - $10 pair of drugstore sunglasses, but you get what you pay for and they work. The BIG problem is the reflections. Holy shit! I have not had a pair of glasses in decades without an anti-reflective coating. There’s all kinds of reflections playing across my lenses. It’s workable and you eventually ignore the light ghosts and shadows. I also got a pair of matt black men’s plastic+metal clear and tinted Rx glasses for 19. each. Frames are higher quality, hinges are a bit tight and you can tell just by look and feel in handling these are not “premium” products. Lines are simple, no complex patterns or moldings etc. And again uncoated lens are another reflection party. But.. again… $19 each delivered for Rx glasses! ## They will make a great pair of emergency glasses I’ll tuck in my car. G4U 3328 Prescription Type: Distance Lenses Lens:1.57 CR39 Lenses Tint:Black Dark [![](https://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t464/monkapotamus/Ebay%20Pics/DSC03584_zpsokekdr32.jpg) ](https://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t464/monkapotamus/Ebay%20Pics/DSC03584_zpsokekdr32.jpg) G4U 3328 Prescription Type: Distance Lenses Lens:1.57 CR39 Lenses Anti Reflective Coating:No Coatings [![](https://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t464/monkapotamus/Ebay%20Pics/DSC03586_zpsjhrflfmw.jpg) ](https://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t464/monkapotamus/Ebay%20Pics/DSC03586_zpsjhrflfmw.jpg) ## Subtotal $49.90 Shipping & Handling $11.90 Discount (bogo) -$24.95 Grand Total $36.85 G4U 3322 Prescription Type: Distance Lenses Lens:1.57 CR39 Lenses Anti Reflective Coating:No Coatings [![](https://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t464/monkapotamus/Ebay%20Pics/DSC03585_zpsmyt0rmva.jpg) ](https://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t464/monkapotamus/Ebay%20Pics/DSC03585_zpsmyt0rmva.jpg) Subtotal $6.95 Shipping & Handling $5.95 Discount (FW299) -$3.96 Grand Total $8.94 ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Krupe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ebca7d/32.png) [@Leo\_Krupe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Krupe)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2016, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-adventure-with-super-cheap-prescription-glasses/757636/2 "2016-06-17T20:58:30Z")
I always wanted to go the cheap route like that, but I’m too picky with my frames. Not brand or anything, but shape. The narrow frames that have been popular for the last several years don’t fit me at all, because I have wide vision above and below. Not freakish or anything, but the narrow frames fit right in the middle of my vision, so they’re too annoying. I go with round wire frames, not too far from John Lennon type, though not that round. But closer than the OP’s. I’m not being critical of the OP’s choices, just that I have different tastes. Or can round wire frames be had at the cheapo sites? And if so, how can I make sure I get the right fit? ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2016, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-adventure-with-super-cheap-prescription-glasses/757636/3 "2016-06-17T21:10:57Z")
> [@Leo\_Krupe](#): > > I always wanted to go the cheap route like that, but I’m too picky with my frames. Not brand or anything, but shape. The narrow frames that have been popular for the last several years don’t fit me at all, because I have wide vision above and below. Not freakish or anything, but the narrow frames fit right in the middle of my vision, so they’re too annoying. > > I go with round wire frames, not too far from John Lennon type, though not that round. But closer than the OP’s. > > I’m not being critical of the OP’s choices, just that I have different tastes. Or can round wire frames be had at the cheapo sites? And if so, how can I make sure I get the right fit? Your pupillary distance measurement will generally insure the glasses are centered and you can stick the glasses on a photo of your face for a preview. The precise measurements on the glasses (mm width length etc) are given in the specs and you can use those vs your existing glasses to calculate frame size but if you are super fussy about perfect fit then online buying is probably not for you. Eyebuydirect has lots of round, metal framed styles. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2016, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-adventure-with-super-cheap-prescription-glasses/757636/4 "2016-06-17T21:14:07Z")
> [@Leo\_Krupe](#): > > I’m not being critical of the OP’s choices, just that I have different tastes. Or can round wire frames be had at the cheapo sites? And if so, how can I make sure I get the right fit? [Measuring your frames.](http://www.zennioptical.com/measure-eyeglass-frame-size-how-to?gclid=Cj0KEQjwv467BRCbkMvs5O3kioUBEiQAGDZHL05_56Kgc_YJBGo5YdOEAXGGPwlG1x7KXhHajAeqDM0aAvVO8P8HAQ) The dimensions might be stamped on your current frames. [Measuring pupillary distance.](http://www.39dollarglasses.com/help/How-to-order/Pupillary-Distance-%28PD%29-help/32-How-do-I-measure-my-Pupillary-Distance-%28PD%29.html?&atrkid=V3ADW66EA7E7D_18574570993_kwd-84657115989 __84354523153_g_c___ 1t2&gclid=Cj0KEQjwv467BRCbkMvs5O3kioUBEiQAGDZHL6blXs7q_4MaxlIvG6cfF0VbkQl6vN_QMo4QlJ8r3AkaAppg8P8HAQ) You might have this already on your Rx or any frame place can measure it though some might balk. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Krupe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ebca7d/32.png) [@Leo\_Krupe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Krupe)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2016, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-adventure-with-super-cheap-prescription-glasses/757636/5 "2016-06-17T22:21:50Z")
Excellent! I 'preciate the posts, and won’t hijack the thread anymore.