I am farsighteded. Anyone know what can I expect to pay for exam and glasses?

[zonkers]

I have made it this far using store bought readers but I know it is better to get the right prescription. Any tips?

[MrScorpio]

1. Let me jump in that boat with you

Got room?

[zonkers]

8. Sure you can, Senor Freshtunes.

[siligut]

2. I bought my trifocals from Costco, $300.

However, yours shouldn’t be that much. I think Costco also does exams. Don't go for the retinal exam unless you have floaters, diabetes or hypertension.

[deucemagnet]

3. America's Best is very inexpensive.

I'm on one of their contact lens plans and it's very cheap. My next visit may be a bit more expensive, because I think my age is catching up with me and I might need (gasp!) bifocals!

[Kali]

4. I'm (was?) nearsighted but heading into the middle age need for the other too,

my doc said the store readers were fine.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

5. Get a copy of your scrip and order online.

I am nearsighted, over 40 and wear bifocals. I got 3 pairs of glasses, high index plastic, no line bifocals, plus clip on shades, for $200.00 from Zenni Optical. My scrip is strong enough that I had to get full rims. I got 3 diff ones that are all cute.

Get a copy of your scrip AND the pupillary distance (PD). That's how far apart your eyes are, in mm.

www.39dollarglasses.com
www.eyebuydirect.com
www.goggles4u.com

www.zennioptical.com <-----THE BEST SELECTION!!! They have single vision glasses starting at $8.95, I kid you not.

Ratings of mail order glasses companies: http://glassyeyes.blogspot.com
This site has discount coupon codes as well.

Wonder why you see TV ads for glasses for $99.00 all of a sudden? Like they cared if they charged you $300 to $400 or more for one pair of glasses or shades? Well, they have found out about online stores and they are scared.

As for me, I feel totally luxurious b/c I have a choice now of THREE diff pairs!! In fact, I plan to get exams more often b/c I can afford glasses now. At Lenscrafters I was paying about $325.00 for high index plastic, anti glare coating, no line bifocals.

It takes time to figure out the measurements you need, but it's worth it. I was restricted in what I could get, b/c I had to have full rim, and bifocals have a minimum height. Lots of the narrow glasses now are not high enough for that. I still found 3 good pairs.

My three pairs:
I got these in multicolor. The biggest lenses, but the left one tends to pop out. I think that's cuz my lenses are thick on the edges:
http://www.zennioptical.com/cart/product.php?productid=756&cat=16&page=1

These are my favorite. Sturdy and hip looking.
http://www.zennioptical.com/cart/product.php?productid=1082&cat=16&page=1

Stuart Tartan. Weird and cool, altho the plastic frames don't hug my head like the others:
http://www.zennioptical.com/cart/product.php?productid=253&cat=16&page=3#largeimage

[old mark]

6. I got my frames from eBay, my exam and lenses from Walmart.

Total was very inexpensive, best glasses I have had in many years.

Got the transitions lenses.

mark

[Rabrrrrrr]

7. Anywhere from $50 to $500 at any regular normal places.

Of course, when it comes to fashion, the sky's the limit in terms of how much you COULD spend, if you wanted to.

But check around - Sears sometimes has good deals on eyewear, as do some of the other eyewear places (Shopko, Lens Crafters, and there's some new (to me anyway) national chain I've seen advertised that has dirt cheap glasses, but I can't remember the name).

But, on the other hand, you also get what you pay for.

I've been using Pearlvision for a number of years, and they have actual, real, well-educated optometrists and excellent staff. The lens grinding guy at my local place is a true artist.

Usually costs me, with the AAA discount, about $90 for the exam and about $150-180 for lenses (straight normal lenses, not bifocal), and then frames are whatever I'm in the mood to pay for (though I keep frames for a number of years, and just get new lenses).

[zonkers]

9. Thank you and everyone for giving me a handle on this!