More expenses

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2005
More expenses
9
Wed, 11-04-2009 - 8:42am

Despite what my son's eye doctor said, it looks like getting his new prescription filled is not an option. While his prescription may have only changed slightly, ds complained that he couldn't read the street signs until he was right on top of them last night. While I agree it's harder to read street signs and traffic signs in the dark, I think his old script may be partly to blame for his difficulty as well. We were hoping to hold off but now I'm thinking we can't.

Since Connor only owns one pair of glasses I'm going to have to have the script filled by a one hour place like Lenscrafters. Insurance doesn't cover fills done by lends crafters.

stacy

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-24-2007
In reply to: ma2connor
Wed, 11-04-2009 - 12:57pm

Hi Stacy,


I used to love LensCrafters because the selection was great and you can get your glasses right away.

Kate


empty purse

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-10-2003
In reply to: ma2connor
Wed, 11-04-2009 - 1:11pm

You might want to have him check to see if he has the same blurriness during the day though.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2005
In reply to: ma2connor
Wed, 11-04-2009 - 4:17pm

That's a good idea. I hadn't thought to check that. I'll have to ask him about that.

stacy

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2005
In reply to: ma2connor
Wed, 11-04-2009 - 4:22pm

The reason we have to go to lenscrafters ( I personally can't stand them) is that he only has one pair of glasses. Which means in order to replace the lenses I have to have a one hour service, as he can't see without them.

I refuse to pay for new frames when there is nothing wrong with his existing frames.

stacy

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-27-2009
In reply to: ma2connor
Thu, 11-05-2009 - 8:39am

I'm not trying to talk you out of just replacing the lenses but a few things I'm unsure if you've considered:

-frames are the CHEAPEST part of your glasses. You aren't saving much, especially if they charge a labour charge for opening them up. You might only be saving $50, depending on where you go (plus, if you coat them, they may need to be recoated - which is more expensive than the frames!) Going green is a great reason, but money is not as strong as most people think.

-the more frames are opened and closed, the more unstable they get, meaning more likely to break or have a lenses pop. This is especially true for plastic and especially true for climates that vary greatly in temperature (so I get a double-whammy in Canada with my plastic frames, with hot summers and blistering cold winters). A good frame with a good eyeglass shop can do it securely, but you rarely know if this is the case until you've gone there. Besides, frames are not as solid as they use to be, especially if you buy a budget frame. Yeah disposable society :(

-Keeping your previous prescription is not the greatest, but if DS can't go without his glasses, having a spare pair - even if not exact - is a godsend! Most of us cannot afford two pairs of glasses (my insurance wouldn't cover it) and the old prescription is what always serves as a spare. If you do want to go green, you can donate your "old" spare pair when you get your new glasses (so 2 prescriptions ago) to an eyeglass charity, which determines the strength and provides eyeglasses to people who otherwise couldn't get glasses at all (and most eyeglass stores participate in programs where you can donate the old pair there while picking up your new pair).

So this is why I purchase new glasses every opportunity I have and it fits better with my life. You may have already considered them or they may not fit with your life, but there is a logic to buying complete new pairs beyond consumerism (though the frames being unstable after being opened is directly a part of consumerism, just not mine).

Avatar for mahopac
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-24-1997
In reply to: ma2connor
Fri, 11-06-2009 - 10:34am

Stacy, do you have a club membership like BJs or Costco?

My 9yo DS lost his LensCrafters glasses (about $250) within a month of getting them. DH went to BJs and got him two pairs of GLASSES for about $65 each.

Definitely worth looking into, if you can.

Kelly

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2005
In reply to: ma2connor
Sat, 11-07-2009 - 10:03am

I don't belong to BJ's or Costco. It does sound worth looking into.

stacy

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-15-2005
In reply to: ma2connor
Sat, 11-07-2009 - 9:28pm

Most places like Sam's or Wal-Mart can take measurement of the lens size and then order new lenses while you continue to wear the old lenses/franes.

Jennifer


 


iVillage Member
Registered: 04-03-2009
In reply to: ma2connor
Sat, 11-07-2009 - 10:14pm
The last couple of times I have gotten my daughter glasses, I have taken her prescription from her eye doctor and