I’ve explained why those numbers matter, and I’ve even linked to a textbook co-written by a master optician and an optometrist that explains in greater detail why those number matter so you wouldn’t have to take my word for it.
I’ve bought a fair number of eyeglasses from the same place I got the eye exam, and I don’t recall any of this extra fitting and adjusting stuff being talked about. Someone might ask me to try them on and then ask “too tight? Too loose? Okay? You’re done!”
I’m not sure that’s worth the extra $300.
It’s not. That kind of behavior is a sign of someone who hasn’t had any real optical training and probably never will. (If they were new and being trained they wouldn’t be turned loose on the patients until they knew better than say something like that.)
There are only 22 states that require opticians to be licensed, and if you don’t live in one of them many optometrist’s offices and most chain stores won’t hire qualified opticians. Where I lived when I was an optician only had three places that had ABO certified opticians–two locally owned independent optical shops and one (out of seven) optometrist’s office. A competent optician won’t just ask you to “try them on”. Of course new frames need to be adjusted, so it should be “Let me put these on you for a moment so I can adjust them to fit you.”
If you’re not sure they really know their stuff, ask if they’re ABO certified. The answer you want is “Yes, there’s my certificate,” as they point to the wall where all their optician’s certificates are hanging. If they say “no” you should go somewhere else. If they don’t know what ABO means, you should facepalm and go somewhere else.
That’s a good, informative post. Thanks!
Yeah… None of the in store places where I have purchased expensive glasses have ever done any of these measurements you keep going on about. They take my prescription & PD and then when the glasses come in, fit the temples so they fit correctly. Never had any issues. It’s funny you think that’s worth an extra $300+.
Yeah my optometrist wouldn’t give me my pupillary distance, either, and then a lecture about what a bad idea it is to order glasses online.
This is the same guy who wouldn’t write me a script for another brand of contact lens when I told him they were too expensive and I didn’t like them anyway.
He’s a dick. I’m finding someone new next time it’s time for an eye exam.
If that’s really all they’re doing then they aren’t qualified to be fitting eyeglasses.
But here’s the thing: There’s no extra $300 for services. There’s not even $300 gross profit on most glasses. The markup on frames and lenses isn’t as much as a lot of people think. In 15 years in 3 different places the highest markup for frames I ever saw was 3 * wholesale in the one optometrist’s office I worked for (which I thought was too much, but O.D.s are usually not the best place to buy glasses.)
That’s not to say that there aren’t places with big markups. Chain stores and O.D.s offices both have a reputation for big markups. They also usually don’t have certified opticians, which means you are paying more and getting less. But even then it’s nowhere near the 800-1000% markups that I’ve seen people claim exist.
Unless you live in a state with licensing requirements, your best bet to make sure you get what you pay for is to find out if they have ABO certified opticians.
Another vote for Zenni Optical. Have purchased numerous pairs of glasses for my family members and myself, without any problems! According to my experience, most importantly, you must make sure that you have your prescription (including PD) and understand the meaning of the figures. Zenni provides an introduction page about how to place an order. All that you need to do is following their instructions.
BTW, if you want to deal with them recently, you can enjoy their buy 2 get 1 free promotion.
Reported.
My husband has a prescription that usually has to be sent off to NASA for them to fashion into giant geek glasses. He found his ideal frames online, and has been more comfortable with them than any other pair he’s ever had. And they look great.
My uncle has been a professional optician for more than 40 years. He made my second-to-last pair of glasses for me. They were fine, but it was a kind of PITA process, because he lives in Florida and I live in Illinois (I ordered frames online and had them shipped to him, and he forgot I’d done that and refused the shipment…long story). So last time I ordered new ones from Zenni. I can’t tell the difference in functionality between the two, honestly (though admittedly I have a very weak prescription).
My sinuses are easily irritated and I can’t stand wearing heavy frames, so I ordered rimless titanium ones. No need to try on first to see how they look, really. I’ll totally do the same thing for my next pair, and my Rx came with PD notated anyway, no need to even ask.
This frame I’m wearing now has been the best pair of glasses I’ve ever had - lightest, look good, right size, flexible metal, polished semi-rimless. Had my opthalmologist run them through a lensometer and they were optically perfect. $8.95 from Zenni.
Or… I think the frame is actually $12.95 now, but the originals were under $10.
I do break them every 9 months or so - I don’t think it’s a sign of poor quality metal or anything, but this particular design uses a really thin nose bridge. But… I don’t care, since they’re $10-12 each, I just order a few at a time and throw them away if anything ever goes wrong.
Since my prescription has been stable for a few years, I’ve been thinking of buying 5+ pairs just in case this frame goes out of production because I really like them.