Where to Purchase Prescription Eyeglasses

[J295]

I’m getting ready to fill a new prescription for progressive eyeglasses.

 

My spouse and daughter handle my fashion, which is typically Rhobak or FJ golf shirts, Lululemon slacks/Adidas shorts.  
 

I can’t seem to tell any difference between eyeglass frames at Sam’s, and designer frames at a optometrist shop?

 

Can anyone share any insights? Functionality is job one, and my prior prescription and filling it at Sam’s a number of years ago has had a great outcome… Now just revisiting with a new prescription.

 

63 year old male.  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[bellken]

I can not comment on eye glass frames sold at Sam's, but, there are not a lot eye glass frame oem's. Most frames are made by the same oem, and, branded differently.  If you like the frame don't be put off by the brand name. 

 

If you are using the glasses for golf, I would recommend getting single vision glasses. My golf clubs look a lot different with progressives versus single vision, but, ymmv.

[J295]

Good information. Thank you! 

[Davidv]

Bought 2 pairs of Oakley and Rayban progressive sunglasses at Lenscrafters. Both are great on the golf course no issues and plenty of frame choices to choose from.

[Greenie]

I don't think there is much difference in frames at either place. I would go with the frames that are the most comfortable. If they end up being cheaper in cost the better. My first pair of eyeglasses 18 yrs ago I picked a pair of Van Heusen frames. Their selling point was they were twisted up to fit in a small plastic cube to show their durability. They were $200 back then. I loved them. They were light weight and felt as if they were not on my face. I went with different frames the next time and they were not the same as my beloved first frames. I went on Ebay and found I could get the model of my frames I like for under $40 a frame. I bought 6 pairs of those frames and guess what 18 yrs later I am still wearing those frames. I have tried a few different pairs of frames I thought I would like over the years and I always come back to my original style frames. I get my glasses done at Costco. With my plan I can get new frames for free and I go with my own frames. Costco doesn't like me to use my own frames but they will do it if the frames you bring are new so I have kept one pair of frames brand new. I have the new lenses put in the new frames and I take the new lenses out when I get the new glasses and put them in a pair of old frames. Yes I am wearing my original frames from 18 yrs ago right now. 

 

I also agree with single vision lenses for golf. I wear single vision contacts for golf so I can wear my sunglasses. I found it hard to play in my progressive or bifocal glasses. Some people can. I couldn't.

Edited March 26 by Greenie

[phil75070]

For several years, prior to my cataracts being removed, I bought glasses from Zenni Optical online. Inexpensive, plenty of choices, and they have always come as ordered. Just don't get a "frameless" pair as they seem or have a problem with getting them so they don't sit lopsided on your face. 🤷‍♂️ Half-frame and full-frame glasses are great. I have gotten progressives for everyday wear and single focus sunglasses for golf.

[J295]

Thanks Davidv and Greenie and Phil!

Edited March 26 by J295

[st1800e]

I wore progressives for about 5 years. In the end they drove me crazy. Tilting head up and down to see different things.  And I couldn’t play golf in them, used contacts.  PITA putting them in before golf.  Switched to contacts all the time, put them in first thing in the morning, watch tv, golf, drive, everything is fine. They are 1/4 diopter stronger than my prescription.  I can read a score card on the course.  Costco readers for the finer print.  I do have a couple pairs of glasses, one full prescription for reading and a pair of bifocals for the few days when I’m just around the house and taking a day off from the contacts.  Buy those online, not expensive, and a thousand styles available.  
YMMV.  

[J295]

Curious … to those of you who get single focus are you getting close up or distance strength?

 

I seem to be one of those exceptions where progressives work.  Although everything looks right to left break to me so have to rely on green books, aim point and memory 

Edited March 26 by J295

[RSLP]

Costco , grab some balls and gloves while you are there!

[AzRoger]

Progressives didn't work for me on the golf course, went with single vision distance with a transition lens, that combination works very good for me. I also have Oakley's with the Prizm Golf lens and like them a lot, have been thinking about getting the Prizm Golf lens with a prescription but haven't pulled the trigger yet, they are pricy.

[Greenie]

1 hour ago, J295 said:

Curious … to those of you who get single focus are you getting close up or distance strength?

 

I seem to be one of those exceptions where progressives work.  Although everything looks right to left break to me so have to rely on green books, aim point and memory 

 

When I first went with contacts I was at the optometrist and I asked him if he had any ideas how I could see and play golf. I had already tried my progressive and bifocal glasses and I knew those were not an option for me. I said the ball on the ground was blurry and my putting sucked from what it used to be. He gave me single vision contacts for distance to try. I could see the writing on the ball on the ground. My ball striking improved and so did my putting. Everything on the courses became more clear to me. The only issue was I needed readers to see up close. I could make out the scores on the score card but I needed readers for my phone. 

 

Fast forward to last year. My optometrist had left and the new one asked me why I always ordered single vision contacts. I explained to her how golf and contacts came into the picture. She suggested I try contacts for both distance and up close. I like them for general use. I am on the fence about them for golf.  I can read my phone and use apps showing distance on the course now but I have noticed looking out somewhere past 150 yards things are not perfectly clear. I went back to talk to her and she said she could adjust the prescription so I could see farther but I would lose some of the up close reading. I thought if I was going to lose up close distance to see farther I might as well just go with my single vision contacts for distance. Either way works for me on the course. I like being able to read and see with my contacts and I am getting use to distances out there a little blurry. If you don't mind carrying a pair of readers along I feel single vision contacts for distance is the best way overall. I ordered my contacts both way this time. 

 

I would guess everything depends on your own personal eyesight to find out what works for you.. My optometrist said she was happy that I could wear the new contacts because some people can't wear those. A few people I know that wear contacts said they could only wear single vision contacts. 

[caniac6]

I get my glasses at Costco.

[Greenie]

47 minutes ago, AzRoger said:

Progressives didn't work for me on the golf course, went with single vision distance with a transition lens, that combination works very good for me. I also have Oakley's with the Prizm Golf lens and like them a lot, have been thinking about getting the Prizm Golf lens with a prescription but haven't pulled the trigger yet, they are pricy.

 

 I wear my contacts with my Oakley's with the Prizm Golf lens too. Great sunglasses for golf. I'm not knocking buying prescription Oakley's but what happens when it becomes dark while playing and you want to take the sunglasses off?  That's been my main issue with getting prescription sunglasses. It limits your use to outside and sunny.

[phil75070]

2 hours ago, J295 said:

Curious … to those of you who get single focus are you getting close up or distance strength?

I always went for distance. My eyesight was at least good enough that I could fill out a scorecard without help.

[Ruleschamp]

Try Warby Parker.   Added benefit is that you can try on any frame online.   Yes, as long as you have an iPhone or Android, simply go their website.   You just use the camera on your phone and it's shocking to most older dudes but it actually fits the frames on your face.   I'm the least techie person you will ever meet and it was easy for me.   I also have one of their stores here in the Dallas area so I've been in there too.  The program puts the frames on your face and you see exactly what they will look like on you.

 

As someone else mentioned, similar to socks and underwear, there aren't actually many manufacturers of eyeglass frames.   There are very few who manufacturer them and then they stamp them with the logo of the brand that licensed the manufacturer to provide them.   Markup on frames and eyeglasses can get ridiculous.   I went to 3 optical shops in December to have my new prescription filled.   With relatively similar frames, the price of the  three were:     Optical 1 store - $1,250;   Optical 2 store - $850;   Optical 3 - $500.  

 

I'm in the camp that couldn't play golf or pickleball well with progressives.  I had to go single vision for that.   But two of my golf buddies play in progressives just fine.

[MattM97]

Frames isn't a big deal for me as long as they fit, are comfortable and durable. 

 

The big factor for me is the lenses I'll pay more for better lenses. I just got a pair of Maui Jim non polarized sunglasses for golf and a regular pair of Maui Jim for seeing. Will see how they work out once I get on the course with them. 

 

Many people say Oakleys I have a ton of Oakley frames so I'm sure I could just order lenses if I want one day. 

[TwistedSister]

I bought two pair of progressive lenses glasses.  One pair plastic clear lenses with anti blue for 35 bucks.  Also Bought pair of High index polycarbonate with Brand name Transitions lenses for 140 bucks.

[Socrates]

Your eyesight is possibly the most important sense you have.  Don't cheap out on the lenses. Especially progressive lenses.  Spend good money to get the best lenses you can.  I've tried the cheaper routes (Zenni, Lens Crafters etc...) and you just don't get a good product.  I go to a local independent shop where they only use high quality lenses.  If I have any problems they are very willing to redo them at no extra cost.  I currently have Hoya lenses and they are very good.  

[TwistedSister]

16 minutes ago, Socrates said:

Your eyesight is possibly the most important sense you have.  Don't cheap out on the lenses. Especially progressive lenses.  Spend good money to get the best lenses you can.  I've tried the cheaper routes (Zenni, Lens Crafters etc...) and you just don't get a good product.  I go to a local independent shop where they only use high quality lenses.  If I have any problems they are very willing to redo them at no extra cost.  I currently have Hoya lenses and they are very good.  

I respectfully disagree.  They are for the most part ALL made in China labs.  The ones I have are perfect. And they have a 100% money back guarantee. 

Edited March 26 by TwistedSister

[otto6457]

I'm struggling with trying to find sunglasses to golf in.  I have photo sensitive eyes so playing in sunglasses is mandatory.  My problem is that I can't read a scorecard without reading glasses.  1.5X seems to be the sweet spot in readers for me and scorecards.  I have found some reading sunglasses, but the reading section is way too large and gets in the way of normal vision all the blasted time.  Looking through the magnified section when looking down at putts or chips is just awful.  But playing competitive golf means I have to be quick and accurate writing scores down on the card for me and the opponent.  The scorecard is just a blurry unreadable mess without the readers.

 

I have been unable to find any reading sunglasses with a small magnified section.  It could literally be a 1/4" or less  in diameter for me to see the scorecard.  But apparently no company has such a small magnified section available and no one seems to be able to tell me if getting a prescription with such a small reading section is possible. 

 

I have so much trouble using the sunglass readers I've been wearing my Oakleys and carrying my clear readers in my bag.  After each hole I have to take off the Oakleys, dig out the readers, stick them on my face,  get the scores, write them on the card, take the readers back off and stick them back in the bag, then put my Oakleys back on and go to the next tee.  An aggravating routine that's repeated 18 times.

 

Anyone have any sort of suggestion?

[ShortGolfer]

I bought half a dozen single prescription Zennis and the lenses are excellent.  I also have an expensive Lenscrafters prescription that was 70% off after my Cigna insurance discount.

The Lenscrafters glasses are photochromic polarized lenses and the Zennis are photochromic but not polarized.  From what I've read plastic photochromic lenses wear out after a few years.

[Greenie]

7 minutes ago, otto6457 said:

 

 

Anyone have any sort of suggestion?

 

Yes I do. Hydrotac Stick on Bifocal Lenses. 

When all I needed was readers I used these. You can position them how you want them on your glasses. I believe you can also cut them smaller and use them. You wet the lens, stick them on your glasses and push out the water and any air bubbles. You can remove them and wet them again to reuse them. I used these on my fishing sunglasses all the time so I could see to tie my line. Now that I need more than readers I don't use them much any more but I still have them on an old pair of fishing glasses.

[TwistedSister]

2 hours ago, otto6457 said:

I'm struggling with trying to find sunglasses to golf in.  I have photo sensitive eyes so playing in sunglasses is mandatory.  My problem is that I can't read a scorecard without reading glasses.  1.5X seems to be the sweet spot in readers for me and scorecards.  I have found some reading sunglasses, but the reading section is way too large and gets in the way of normal vision all the blasted time.  Looking through the magnified section when looking down at putts or chips is just awful.  But playing competitive golf means I have to be quick and accurate writing scores down on the card for me and the opponent.  The scorecard is just a blurry unreadable mess without the readers.

 

I have been unable to find any reading sunglasses with a small magnified section.  It could literally be a 1/4" or less  in diameter for me to see the scorecard.  But apparently no company has such a small magnified section available and no one seems to be able to tell me if getting a prescription with such a small reading section is possible. 

 

I have so much trouble using the sunglass readers I've been wearing my Oakleys and carrying my clear readers in my bag.  After each hole I have to take off the Oakleys, dig out the readers, stick them on my face,  get the scores, write them on the card, take the readers back off and stick them back in the bag, then put my Oakleys back on and go to the next tee.  An aggravating routine that's repeated 18 times.

 

Anyone have any sort of suggestion?

The place I bought mine will make you reading glasses with Transitions lenses in them.

[Socrates]

2 hours ago, TwistedSister said:

I respectfully disagree.  They are for the most part ALL made in China labs.  The ones I have are perfect. And they have a 100% money back guarantee. 

Frames are made primarily in China.  The raw lenses might come from China and are ground and polished by companies as needed.  As with anything, the companies will make the lenses only as good as the companies tell them to.  Buy from a cheap company and I will guarantee you that they will be made as cheap as possible.  Who would you buy golf clubs from?  A respected OEM or the knock-off off?   Regardless, you still should buy the best lenses you can.  I value my eyesight and I value the respect and service I get from the company providing my glasses.

 

 

[TwistedSister]

13 hours ago, Socrates said:

Frames are made primarily in China.  The raw lenses might come from China and are ground and polished by companies as needed.  As with anything, the companies will make the lenses only as good as the companies tell them to.  Buy from a cheap company and I will guarantee you that they will be made as cheap as possible.  Who would you buy golf clubs from?  A respected OEM or the knock-off off?   Regardless, you still should buy the best lenses you can.  I value my eyesight and I value the respect and service I get from the company providing my glasses.

 

 

Again respectfully disagree.  I took mine to the optometrist I use for my exams and he told me they were spot on accurate!  So that's how good your "guarantee" is!

[Drwoods2017]

16 hours ago, TwistedSister said:

I respectfully disagree.  They are for the most part ALL made in China labs.  The ones I have are perfect. And they have a 100% money back guarantee. 

That's not true at all.

[Drwoods2017]

If you're a first time progressive wearer please don't go online. Progressives require precise measurements and if not done correctly makes them virtually unusable.  Local optometrist or costco and sams are fine but just don't use online measurements.

[J295]

3 minutes ago, Drwoods2017 said:

If you're a first time progressive wearer please don't go online. Progressives require precise measurements and if not done correctly makes them virtually unusable.  Local optometrist or costco and sams are fine but just don't use online measurements.

I agree completely, and this is great advice in my opinion. I’ve had progressives for over a decade, and with a great prescription and a great fitting their utility has been outstanding.

[TwistedSister]

29 minutes ago, Drwoods2017 said:

If you're a first time progressive wearer please don't go online. Progressives require precise measurements and if not done correctly makes them virtually unusable.  Local optometrist or costco and sams are fine but just don't use online measurements.

Tell my optometrist this.  He tested my online glasses and told me their lab could not have done  better job in specs or quality.  I would not expect that from an optometrist trying to gouge.  Hmmm.