On 2007-08-08, George wrote:

Marketing is a powerful thing. Many people have been convinced that big
box places are better than sex.

They may be right. You're getting screwed, ain'tchya?

nb

Dave Smith wrote:
George wrote:
Likely what you ran into is that the big box places often use cheap labs
to make the glasses.

It was Lenscrafters. They make them on site.... in an hour.

As a matter of fact, I specifically made a point of mentioning Lenscrafters
several times and in several posts so that if anyone was thinking of goring
to Lenscrafters they might be swayed by my dissatisfaction.

I missed that. I didn't realize that big box places were offering drive
through glasses. From watching how a real lab makes them it isn't hard
to understand how something made like that would be anything but junk.

My comment was about the usual procedure of them doing a refraction and
then telling you that they will call you when the glasses come in.

notbob wrote:

I can't imagine having any of this trouble. I can see a little
weirdness in the first few minutes of wearing new glasses, but weeks
of nausea? Sounds like you're getting screwed. If my new glasses
aren't working and comfortable by the end of the intitial fitting at
the optometrist's office, I'm not going anywhere, at least not with
those glasses and an empty wallet. You are paying for optics to solve
your vision problems, not create new one's.


With the last two pairs I got I only really noticed a difference in the
peripheral areas when I drove home. Things seem to bulge out into the
corners. That only lasted a few hours. After that I had no problem at all.

In article ,
zxcvbob wrote:

Omelet wrote:
In article ,
zxcvbob wrote:

Check out zennioptical.com. They are cheap enough that you can play
around with your prescription a little. My favorite pair is .25
diopters weaker than my prescription says it should be. I can see at a
distance or read normal print with single-vision lenses at that strength
and just take them off to read fine print.

Bifocals, phooey. I wasted $200 on a pair a couple of years ago and
never could adjust to them. I see better with this $8 pair of glasses
(and better than that with my stronger $15 pair, but I have to take them
off to read)

Bob

Wal-mart sells reading glasses.

I'm very nearsighted. Glasses, especially for driving, are not an option.


I'm also nearsighted, but I think my prescription is too strong. So I
ordered some weaker ones from Zenni and I can see pretty good at a
distance or near with them without needing bifocals -- I just can't read
fine print all the way across the room. For very fine print, I have to
take them off because I can see up close better without them (because
I'm nearsighted; that counteracts some of the presbyopia until I get
quite a bit older)

Bob

I've been taking my glasses off to read fine print close up for ages.
Mom always did the same thing.
--
Peace, Om

Remove _ to validate e-mails.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch" -- Jack Nicholson

On Wed, 8 Aug 2007 15:29:30 +0100, "Ophelia" wrote:

George wrote:
A family member got new glasses from a big box place (low prices
everyday) and she couldn't see well with them. They gave her the usual
song and dance that she had to get used to them. On my insistence she
asked to have them tested and they told her the lenses were perfect
and told her again that she needed to "adjust" to them. I asked that
they give her the lab report but they wouldn't do that (can't get
that if you put them in the drawer for a week and just give the
"tested" glasses back to the customer).

Our opticians are required by law to provide the patient with a copy of the
prescription.

They may then take that prescription anywhere they want to have it filled!

That's the prescription, O. George is talking about the finished
glasses being wrong. Too bad we all don't have friends in the
business. I had that experience with Sight for Sore Eyes. I had
their optician do the eye exam even though I can get it for free at
Kaiser (it was one less place for me to visit). It wasn't very
expensive, maybe $25 at the time. Anyway, I told the optician that I
wanted my eyes corrected to 20-20, which she did. I got progressives
with computer monitor distance in the middle. The glasses arrived and
the prescription was just plain wrong. I could tell as soon as I put
them on. I told the fitter and he immediately gave me a standard line
about how most eyes can only be corrected to 20-30. I called him on
it, he got the prescription out and by golly the optometrist *had*
corrected them to 20-20! I think he was kinda ****ed that he had to
send them back to be redone and it sure soured me on that place.

That kind of practice is completely underhanded and when you're
shelling out hundred of dollars per pair of glasses (some frames cost
$400-500), it should be illegal too.



--

A husband is someone who takes out the trash and gives the impression he just cleaned the whole house.

In article ,
"Ophelia" wrote:

Omelet wrote:

The Dr. (MD not just an Op) said they were bifocals.

Om you might like to try Varifocals. There is no line, just a progression.

I have had implants in both my eyes and I find them easier to work with.

Dad has implants too for cataract surgery.

So far, no cataracts have shown up!

That is the advantage for me going to an MD for an eye exam and new
prescription. Not only is the co-pay lower, but I get a full eye exam.

Hate having dilated eyes for several hours, but that goes with the
territory.

It was justified too since I was having some issues and it's been 6
years.

I don't go for eye exams annually. Just if I'm having problems.
--
Peace, Om

Remove _ to validate e-mails.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch" -- Jack Nicholson

In article ,
George wrote:

Dave Smith wrote:
Sheldon wrote:

Ditto with Walmart glasses... they use inferior lenses kept in stock -
the ones they tried to pawn off on me were already full of tiny
scratches), they have only low end butt ugli frames, and have trainees
take measurements and make adjustments. You only think you're saving
money. I went to the local optician in town... sure I had to wait a
week but they worked perfectly right out of the box... just a wee bit
of adjustment with the ear pieces and it was like they were made for
me. I love Flexon frames, nothing else like them. In fact it's been
a year and I have an appointment this Friday for a check up.


It's a damned shame that so many people are hell bent on saving a few
bucks that they are happy to settle for a third rate product. Our vision is
too important for that. Besides that, it is a false economy. They get your
money by saving you 10\205 but you end up having to go back when they fail
so you end up paying even more.

Marketing is a powerful thing. Many people have been convinced that big
box places are better than sex.

I made the mistake of going to a commercial place last time. A big name.
It wasn't Lens crafters, but I can't remember which one it was. The
lenses were fine but I had real problems with the stupid (very
expensive) frames. Superglue has held my lenses in place now for nearly
the entire 6 years I've had them.

SEVERAL people highly recommended our local Wal-mart optics shop so I
went with that this time, and the Dr.'s office did not seem to have a
problem with my plans either.

I did not get the cheapest frames. I wanted something quality and pretty
this time so I'm paying $96.00 for some Loren frames. I generally keep
glasses for a minimum of 5 to 10 years.

The lenses are just a bit over $300.00 with tax and I'll have them in 7
to 10 days. Insurance only covers the eye exam. This will be out of
pocket.

Somehow I doubt I'm going to be getting recycled lenses like Sheldon
claims the Wal-mart op' shops sell!
--
Peace, Om

Remove _ to validate e-mails.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch" -- Jack Nicholson

In article ,
"Ophelia" wrote:

George wrote:
A family member got new glasses from a big box place (low prices
everyday) and she couldn't see well with them. They gave her the usual
song and dance that she had to get used to them. On my insistence she
asked to have them tested and they told her the lenses were perfect
and told her again that she needed to "adjust" to them. I asked that
they give her the lab report but they wouldn't do that (can't get
that if you put them in the drawer for a week and just give the
"tested" glasses back to the customer).

Our opticians are required by law to provide the patient with a copy of the
prescription.

They may then take that prescription anywhere they want to have it filled!

The Dr's office did just that...
--
Peace, Om

Remove _ to validate e-mails.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch" -- Jack Nicholson

Omelet wrote:
In article ,
George wrote:

Dave Smith wrote:
Sheldon wrote:

Ditto with Walmart glasses... they use inferior lenses kept in stock -
the ones they tried to pawn off on me were already full of tiny
scratches), they have only low end butt ugli frames, and have trainees
take measurements and make adjustments. You only think you're saving
money. I went to the local optician in town... sure I had to wait a
week but they worked perfectly right out of the box... just a wee bit
of adjustment with the ear pieces and it was like they were made for
me. I love Flexon frames, nothing else like them. In fact it's been
a year and I have an appointment this Friday for a check up.

It's a damned shame that so many people are hell bent on saving a few
bucks that they are happy to settle for a third rate product. Our vision is
too important for that. Besides that, it is a false economy. They get your
money by saving you 10\205 but you end up having to go back when they fail
so you end up paying even more.
Marketing is a powerful thing. Many people have been convinced that big
box places are better than sex.

I made the mistake of going to a commercial place last time. A big name.
It wasn't Lens crafters, but I can't remember which one it was. The
lenses were fine but I had real problems with the stupid (very
expensive) frames. Superglue has held my lenses in place now for nearly
the entire 6 years I've had them.

SEVERAL people highly recommended our local Wal-mart optics shop so I
went with that this time, and the Dr.'s office did not seem to have a
problem with my plans either.

I did not get the cheapest frames. I wanted something quality and pretty
this time so I'm paying $96.00 for some Loren frames. I generally keep
glasses for a minimum of 5 to 10 years.

The lenses are just a bit over $300.00 with tax and I'll have them in 7
to 10 days. Insurance only covers the eye exam. This will be out of
pocket.

Somehow I doubt I'm going to be getting recycled lenses like Sheldon
claims the Wal-mart op' shops sell!


Give ZenniOptical.com a try; at least for a backup pair. I've been very
happy with everything I've ordered from there (and the anti-reflective
lens coating is only $5 extra; I'm kicking myself for not getting it on
my shooting glasses) I haven't tried their bifocals or no-lines or
anything fancy yet, so YMMV.

Bob

In article ,
"Felice Friese" wrote:

Omelet wrote:
Got my first prescription for Bifocals this morning.
I've chosen to try the line-less right off the bat rather than
"graduating" to them.

I'm told by both the Doctor and the Op tech at the store that I may
have
trouble adjusting to them for a week or two, Dizziness, etc.

I'm open to advice, suggestions and hints. I should have them in a
week
or so.....

Expensive suckers! Oh well.

I've worn progressives for years and years, and never had any problems,
although backing up in the car took a little adjustment.

Just keep wearing them (do NOT switch between prescriptions) and chances are
you'll learn very quickly to love them.

Felice

It'll be a relief not to be constantly having to move the lenses on my
nose for different uses.
--
Peace, Om

Remove _ to validate e-mails.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch" -- Jack Nicholson

In article ,
notbob wrote:

On 2007-08-07, Steve Wertz wrote:

I think it would be pretty easy to get hex focals "right".

I guess they are called progressives or some such. Whatever. I got
mine over 15 yrs ago and need some new ones, my reading focus having
gotten worse. Lately, I just use my single vision farsighted and some
cheapo reading glasses, but the progressives are still nice for
computer use, the reason I got them in the first place.

nb

The Dr. told me that your eyes should "settle" by about age 55 or so.
This problem is a common issue in my age group. (45).
--
Peace, Om

Remove _ to validate e-mails.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch" -- Jack Nicholson

In article ,
(Curly Sue) wrote:

On Tue, 07 Aug 2007 16:40:27 -0500, notbob wrote:

On 2007-08-07, Steve Wertz wrote:

I think it would be pretty easy to get hex focals "right".

I guess they are called progressives or some such. Whatever. I got
mine over 15 yrs ago and need some new ones, my reading focus having
gotten worse. Lately, I just use my single vision farsighted and some
cheapo reading glasses, but the progressives are still nice for
computer use, the reason I got them in the first place.

nb

I have "web lenses" and love them. They are progressives with only
two ranges- intermediate (4-6 ft) and reading. I do have the full
progressives for general use, but when I read or work on the computer,
the web lenses are so much better. Although the reading glasses work
fine for both activities, I don't have to remove them when looking up
or across the room. I have small rooms .

I've not looked at reading glasses yet. They are not that expensive.
--
Peace, Om

Remove _ to validate e-mails.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch" -- Jack Nicholson

In article , sf wrote:


I went with whatever the lineless things are called. Being a long
time glasses wearer, I can tell you to wait until you wake up in the
morning to put on your new pair of specks if you're having trouble
getting "used" to them.

That is the plan.


Expensive suckers! Oh well.

I'm getting old. :-(

Should I keep my old pair for driving for now just for safety? The Dr.
says it's a bad idea to switch back and forth.

Is your old distance perscription the same?

Supposedly, yes.
The issue I was having with the current pair was a need for bifocals due
to changes in Lens elasticity.

If so, of course you can
switch for driving. If not, get new distance lenses for your old
glasses after your new pair arrives.

FYI: bifocals are best when you need to look up and down quickly -
otherwise use dedicated glasses for the job.... near or far.

I'll play it by ear for now. ;-) Thanks!
--
Peace, Om

Remove _ to validate e-mails.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch" -- Jack Nicholson

In article ,
"Pete C." wrote:

I'm not to that point (yet), just modest nearsightedness that contacts
work well for, but absolutely for safety, keep your old prescription in
the car. I haven't used my glasses in the four or five years since I
went to contacts, but I do keep them stored in the truck so they're
available should I need them. I can drive ok without glasses or contacts
anyway, just difficult if I need to look for street signs.

Pete C.

I never have worn contacts... and am pretty near sighted.

Thanks.
--
Peace, Om

Remove _ to validate e-mails.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch" -- Jack Nicholson

In article ,
enigma wrote:

i had mine put in my old frames, so no chance of using my old
glasses.

These frames are not in that great of shape, but they work.
A new set of frames was a must, so I'll have the old pair.


i had them for just over a year & i could NOT get
"used to" them. i hated them with a passion rarely reserved
for mere glasses i couldn't see either distance or close up
clearly.
in fact, they sucked so badly that i drove Boo to school
several times without realizing i had forgotten to put on my
glasses...

I could never do that! Astigmatism is way too bad.

i resorted to drugstore 2x magnifying glasses to do close up
work & only wore the bifocals when i absolutely had to.
now i have distance glasses & close-up glasses. sometimes
it's a PITA to have to swop them, but i'm no longer dizzy &
nauseous...
however, i do have an ongoing sinus infection that causes my
eyes to change frequently, so that often my perscription is
'off'. i try to get a lot of close work done on days when the
perscription actually works, because it can be days before
i'll be able to see clearly again. and there are days i don't
drive because i can't read streetsigns until i get within 15'.
lee

Sounds risky.
Did you go to an OD or an MD?
--
Peace, Om

Remove _ to validate e-mails.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch" -- Jack Nicholson