Eyeglasses Optician

High index lenses 1.74 — online or local?

I am trying to get a pair of high index lens for my strong prescription (-8.00 , -9.00). I have options to go online or get it locally. The price of online is like $100+ cheaper than the local stores. My eye doctor doesn’t recommend online because of the risk of low quality. Another reason is that my RX is a complicated one with astigmia. He advised me to sit physically with an optician to fit. The problem is the price is beyond my budget. Any idea about how high risk it is to get RX eyeglasses online, especially with a complicated RX? If I find some online sellers with great reviews and provide all the accurate measures they need, will I get a great glasses? Thank you guys!

With a higher RX you should have someone with your to fit them. Online they only need your RX and your PD. With an optician they SHOULD take an OC height…Which is where your pupil lies in the frame it’s self, and also vertex distance should be taken in to consideration. These can only be taken with the frame on and a person sitting with you to take the measurement. Another thing si that if you have issues, you can go in and have the frame adjusted and worked on by the person who helped you with it. Online places just can not do that for you. I never recommend it for a perscription like yours at all. If you rely on your glasses and contacts as much as I do, you really should take the time and money to invest in things to be done the right way. Plus, your warranties are usually better at a private practice as well, and not that great online. To put it mildly, you are getting what you pay for. I would hate to see you buy them online and then have to turn around a buy some again at the optician close to you just becuase the online place could not get things right. I never ever would do this nor would I tell anyone to. I know that people that read this are going to say that I am an optician so I do not want anyone to buy online. For the record, I get paid the same no matter what I sell, or how much I sell. So, the thing here is that I do see and fix issues from online ordering, or orders from “cheapie” places. I help fix the problems for free, and I was never even paid for the original purchase becuase they were bought from a cheaper place. So, I guess what I am saying is that I see patients buy things from places that are cheaper, I end up doing the trouble shooting, and then they end up buying what they should have gotten form me in the first place. Online eyewear ordering is just not that great of an idea. You really should be treating your eyes, and not your wallet on this one. Good luck!

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Choosing your eyeglass lenses

Choosing your frames and lenses

There are lots of choices when it comes to frames and lenses.  You might get lost in the optician’s store.  It could be that you are not that familiar with the process given all the choices available to you.  In the eye care business, we are faced with a number of questions on a daily basis and one of these questions is WHAT KIND OF LENS MATERIAL IS APPROPRIATE FOR ME?

Here are some tips to help you make the choice:

You should always consult with your eye care professional to help determine what is best for you.

Some people are under the impression that glass lenses are still available.  Glass lenses are no longer legal in the United States – this is mainly for safety reasons. 

There are 3 materials for lenses:

1. Regular plastic

2. Polycarbonate

3. High index plastic

For regular plastic: It is a very lightweight and durable material which works well for low strength prescriptions. Plastic lenses are the cheapest and usually they are covered by most insurance providers.  Since it is an inexpensive option, you may consider a plastic lens with a higher prescription, depending on the frame that you choose.  Suppose you choose a heavy plastic frame, in that case the thickness of the lens will be hidden by the frame, the plastic lens will work for you.  On the other hand, if you are getting a metal frame, the thickness of the lens will be visible and it might not be as attractive as another option.  Always consult with your optician so that you can get an approximate idea of what you are getting before ordering.

For Polycarbonate (polycarb or poly): This is a shatterproof material – polycarbonate lenses have become the must for safety glasses, rimless glasses, sports goggles and children’s eyewear.  It is also good to have in a semi-rimless frame. Over time, with handling of the frame, regular plastic might start to chip away. This is a thinner material and is good for a higher strength prescription.  If for example your prescription is -4.00, you should choose polycarb and the glasses will look less bulky.  The price of polycarb lenses is more expensive but worth it.

For high index: This is the material for higher strength prescriptions. High index lenses are a must for people with high myopia. Thin eyeglasses are thought to be more attractive than thicker ones. Light eyeglasses are comfortable; heavy ones are not. It is no surprise then that most people want the thinnest, lightest eyeglasses that they can find.  These are the most expensive lenses.

Be patient when shopping for eyeglass frames.  Find an optician you can trust.  Ask family and friends for recommendations.  Remember, the best referrals they get are when patients and clients refer friends and family to them.  Always check your insurance for all available options.  Even without a specific optical plan, there are often discount optical plans available that are honored by most opticians.  Be sure to check out a few local stores for valuable offers and coupons. 

 Tip: Getting your eyes checked and purchasing your glasses in the same place saves you valuable time and money.

Submitted by Lana

http://www.myopticiannyc.com

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