[jprinz99]

SO I need new glasses (progressives). The docs office is too expensive for me (but he is a great eye doc!). Anybody purchase glasses at WalMart or Sams or BJs Warehouse?

Pro/Con and Opinions? Other suggestions?

appreciate any advise on where I can get my Rx filled and still have enough $$ to eat and pay the mortgage

[Blessings2You]

Consumer Reports had an article on glasses in the August issue. Here are their ratings arranged by overall score, with the median price in parentheses:

Costco Optical - 87 ($186)
Private doctor's office - 85 (300)
Independent eyeglass shop - 84 (295)
Kaiser Permanente - 83 (266)
For Eyes Optical - 82 (181)
BJ's Optical - 80 (176)
Sam's Club Optical - 80 (225)
Shopko Eyecare Center - 80 (223)
Walmart Vision Center - 78 (204)
LensCrafters - 77 (298)
Sears Optical - 77 (220)
Pearle Vision - 75 (305)
EyeMasters - 74 (219)
JCPenney Optical - 72 (213)
Visionworks - 72 (200)
America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses - 71 (210)

[mrsD]

There was also another study done on "QUALITY".. errors etc.

Costco came out at the top with the most accurate and affordable
glasses. Lenscrafters were not sterling by any means.

Whoever you choose, make sure you get a return guarantee.
If they grind the lenses wrong or do not center each lens properly there can be distortion etc. After one week if you still have adjustment issues, return them.

I had one issue once from a private optical place... My new lenses had a light reflection in the middle of the upper third of each lens.
Like a flying saucer... I had to fight like crazy to get this replaced.
I have worn glasses since I was twelve and NEVER had a reflection blob in my visual field!

[jprinz99]

wonderful info!!! Thank you very much! As a long time wearer of bifocals and progressives, I have learned when something isn't right to stand my ground - firmly yet politely

My lenses alone were over 400 bucks at doctors, it was just to high for me. I have never purchased glasses anywhere but the eyedoctors' before.

[Erin524]

I bought glasses from Costco a few years ago, and they were so badly made that I could not wear them. I'm pretty sure they weren't centered right. There were imperfections in the lenses too. Blobs where it looked like blind spots that I've had from optic neuritis. I returned them, and swore to never buy glasses at Costco ever again. The employee that had helped me was also kind of rude about it. She said I "just needed to get used to them".

I had a similar experience at EyeMasters. Badly made glasses, and employees that thought I just needed to get used to them. Returned those too.

I've bought glasses at Lenscrafters, and they've usually done an ok job. At least when I had a problem once, they fixed it quickly for me. I just don't go to Lenscrafters anymore because they're at the mall, and I'd have to do a lot of walking to get to their store.

I get my glasses at my eye doctor's office now. Bought glasses there twice, and when I have, I'll ask what they have on clearance for the frames. I've gotten some nice frames that actually ended up being under $100 (frames only) Lenses were kind of expensive, but the fact that the frames were on clearance helped make the glasses a bit more affordable.

Plus, the guys at the eye doctor's office make sure everything is perfect, and don't try telling me that I just have to get used to the lenses if there is something wrong with them.

[SallyC]

I'm still trying to figure out how to get an eye exam and new glasses,
without leaving the house.. In the meantime, wearing one of 3 for
15.00 pairs of mag reading glasses, I ordered online.. Not good,
but good enough.