Help Choosing Eyeglasses

[indieretailer]

Saw the opthamologist today for the first time----I am getting my first pair of glasses at the age of 46. Blurry vision just crept up on me.....Got prescription for gradual lenses as I need help for both close-up work and distance vision.

Any eyeglass shopping tips?

[Johansen8]

You can buy them online for cheap.... My mom got a pair from CoastalContacts.com

I usually pick something that doesn't touch my eyelashes so I can wear lengthening mascara and my lashes would still not touch the lens.

I pick what's comfy and what looks good. Mostly something that people and especially myself can get used to wearing it everyday!

[gt0163c]

Especially if this is your first pair of glasses, I would discourage you from buying on-line. Just like everything else, glasses come in sizes and it takes a while and trying on a lot of pairs to figure out what looks good on your and what feels comfortable. Don't scrimp on either.

Make sure that the frame fits your face and is wide enough for your head. You want the glasses to be comfortable, not press into the sides of your head or your temples. Also, make sure that the ear pieces are long enough so that it keeps the glasses off your eye lashes. If the ear pieces are too short, your glasses will constantly get smudged/dirty. It's something you can deal with, but it's a pain after a while.

That said, shop around. There are a lot of places that sell glasses. I just recently got new glasses. I didn't like any of the frames at my eye doc's shop, plus they're more expensive than many other places. I looked at Sams, Target, a couple of other eye doc's shops and finally found a pair of frames that I liked at Sears. I had Sears make the lenses as well and discovered that the lenses (and various anti-scratch, anti-glare, etc coatings) were significantly cheaper than what I have paid at my eye doctor's shop in the past. In the future, I will at least check out Sears for my glasses. Also, you don't have to buy the frames and the lenses at the same place. As long as the lenses are "optical quality" (not the cheaper kind like are used in most inexpensive sunglasses), just about any store can and will make lenses for those.

[purplefdu]

Take a trusted friend. I bought my first pair for $69 at Walmart (minus my mom's discount) and she helped me pick them out. Needless to say my half frame style now are much more flattering as I took my husband to pick them out. Check any insurance you have for benefits to cover your exam and glasses. I know my parent's military plan includes one exam a year and a portion of the glasses (30%) even though they don't advertise it alot.

I normally buy from Lenscrafters, but I normally put it off so by time I go shopping I need them in an hour or less. You can normally get two pairs for around $100 for a number of retailers.

[khorrell]

I've had good luck at Lenscrafters, though they are not inexpensive. My biggest piece of advice is to allow yourself a lot of time and try on as many pairs as you want. Heck, keep trying the ones you like several times if necessary. I usually spend a couple of hours picking my frames.

I recently got my daughters' glasses at Walmart and I'm not too impressed with the frame sturdiness or the quality of the staff. I'm sure that you can get fine glasses there, we just didn't have a great experience. (Of course, only one of the three daughters' glasses are giving us a huge problem, so I guess 66% success isn't that bad.)

[72Tiger]

I absolutely agree on buying the glasses in person vs on the internet. Also, most of the sales people work on commission, so try and go when the store is relatively empty. They won't be pressured to just make the sale, and get to the next customer, and they can spend more time on you.

[indieretailer]

Thank you for the advice! Wisebread posters have the best ideas and I appreciate the great help you all offer.

I will now shop with more confidence.

[72Tiger]

Good luck.

[breitlingreplica]

Well i just want to say good luck buddy. I hope that you 'll get the best.

[pinchy]

just whatever is comfy and you feel confident wearing is all i can suggest.