Let me tell you, needing glasses can be a real pain, especially for your wallet. For years, I dreaded going to the optometrist, not just for the eye exam, but for the sticker shock at the eyewear store afterward. It felt like I was paying more for the brand name than the actual lenses. But I've found some ways to save big on prescription eyeglasses, and I'm excited to share them with you!
I remember a time when I needed new glasses, and I was floored by the prices. It seemed like every pair I liked was way out of my budget. I even considered wearing my old, scratched-up glasses for another year just to avoid the expense. That's when I started exploring online options. I was skeptical at first. Could I really get decent glasses online? Would they fit? Would the prescription be accurate?
My prescription isn't exactly simple. I need a pretty strong correction. I was worried that online retailers wouldn't be able to handle my needs. My prescription is around -11.0 in one eye and -10.0 in the other, making glasses stupid expensive. So, the idea of finding affordable glasses online was extremely appealing.
My first discovery was the possibility of finding glasses online for under $10. I couldn’t believe it! The key is knowing where to look and understanding that these super-cheap options might not be available in traditional stores because of how prescriptions are handled.
One of the first places I tried was Zenni Optical. I’d heard a lot about them. I was amazed at how affordable their frames were. I've ordered several pairs from them over the years, and I've always been happy with the quality, especially considering the price. I even got a few pairs for around $10-$15! Even with my complex prescription, it was still much cheaper than going to the optometrist's office. I highly recommend checking them out if you need basic correction or even if you have astigmatism. I've been buying from Zenni for years. They are the best glasses I've ever used.
Another option I stumbled upon was Eyebuydirect. I found that they offer legitimate glasses, and you don't have to worry about popping lenses in yourself. In some cases, you can find glasses for as low as $5! The quality is surprisingly good for the price. It's definitely worth a look if you're on a tight budget.
I also found these Metal Frame Exquisite Mini Presbyopia Glasses on mozaer.com. I was looking for something small and portable for reading. I was drawn to their compact design and the fact that they come with a pen holder case. I got the +2.5 magnification. I keep them in my purse for when I need to read menus or price tags. They’re not my everyday glasses, but they’re perfect for quick reading. They are from Mozaer, which has some interesting products.
Based on my experience, here are some tips to help you find affordable glasses online:
Here's a quick overview of the advantages and disadvantages of buying glasses online: