Anyone get glasses at Costco?

[fooferdoggie]

Been awhile!

you know your in trouble when they hit the toilet water.

 

[Rexlion]

I ordered some progressive lenses from Zenni, and the lenses are useless. The progressive part changes too steeply and the viewing section is too narrow. But for single-vision lenses Zenni is fine.

My wife got an exam and glasses at Costco. She complains that she doesn't see as well as she thinks she ought, but I can't convince her to spend the money for a new exam and pair at a regular optometrist's office.

Before Costco she tried Stanton Optical which is even cheaper, and the results were simply horrible. The optometrist did the exam remotely, and he ignored my wife's complaints that the corrections he presented were not right (I was in the room and witnessed this).

 

[rayray]

If you’re ordering progressive lenses online, it’s a real crapshoot. You need the assistance of a professional to be properly fitted, as even a slight error in placement of the progressive zone in relation to your pupils, either vertically or horizontally, will cause them to be less helpful than normal, or even unwearable. Even a professional can make mistakes, but at least they can troubleshoot and correct any issues, and the wholesale labs warranty the products against such errors.

Of course, you might get lucky, but it’s a gamble if you’re buying online. By the way, I’m retired from a career in the wholesale laboratory side of the ophthalmic business. I may be slightly biased, but I no longer have any financial interest that might impact my advice.

On a related note, I recently purchased a new pair of lenses for myself. They were completely useless (distance vision was not good, and reading was nearly impossible, so I went back to the optometrist for a re-exam. Turned out he’d made a significant change to my Rx which I couldn’t tolerate, and his optician had changed the progressive design selection. The optical laboratory made a new pair of lenses to the corrected Rx in a design closer to the old, now-discontinued design, at no cost to the doctor, and we’re both happy now. Had I used an online service, this process would have likely resulted in much frustration, with no savings or perhaps even added cost.

 

[fooferdoggie]

Yes cheap progressives are bad, I was told the usual 10 to 15 days for my order from my medical group but I just got them today and I got fitted Tuesday.

 

[rayray]

Yes cheap progressives are bad, I was told the usual 10 to 15 days for my order from my medical group but I just got them today and I got fitted Tuesday.

When I ran labs, our average processing time was 2-2.5 days for finished eyewear, and <1 day for uncuts (lenses that the retailer would cut to the frame specs), but those were averages and didn’t include delivery time or our wait-time for the frame if it was coming from the customer. There were definitely outliers, which is why they tell you 10-15 days.

Occasionally it would take so long to get the required special-order blanks, or the prescription was so difficult to process that we would have to “practice” a couple of times, and the consumer would cancel with their practitioner. We knew to hold onto the lenses, because that easily-recognizable order was more than likely going to come back in from another office in the same area, as there aren’t that many labs.

 

[fooferdoggie]

I bought these guys for my regular rides a little expensive but since my lens wont need any coating or such the price should be close to the same. https://www.rudyprojectna.com/products/kelion

 

[rayray]

I bought these guys for my regular rides a little expensive but since my lens wont need any coating or such the price should be close to the same. https://www.rudyprojectna.com/products/kelion

Pretty fancy!

 

[fooferdoggie]

Pretty fancy!

not when you look at the cost of having all the coatings and transitions added to the lens of a more normal pair. I was at the mall and got an idea on what lencrafters charged. I debated checking vision works but I doubt they would be much different. for the deluxe progressive lens and transition and grade coating was 950.00 were I paid 455 through my provider and they dont cover glasses. I guess I am taking my sunglasses inserts into them.

 

[Rexlion]

I used to be about a -13.25 with a -2.50 astigmatism. Fortunately I was able to get my eye lenses replaced (cataract surgery) and now only wear readers. So nice to be rid of those thick lenses. Optometrists and opticians really had a hard time believing how much "blur" I got (and how rapidly it developed) off-center due to the chromatic aberration. They'd want to sell me polycarb, and I'd insist on CR39 because I'd rather take some extra edge thickness in exchange for better sight. I set up a little spreadsheet calculator so I could figure edge thicknesses of various lens materials for myself!

 

[fooferdoggie]

got them today they work well of course now the rain stopped soon as I got them.

 

[BikerG]

I usually save over $500 by not going to Costco.

 

[fooferdoggie]

I need new glasses. I had a perfect vision so far, and I had no reason to buy vision insurance, however cheap, offered by my employer. I am considering just paying for this myself, but with the caveat that I know nothing about getting it out of insurance. Would you recommend just walking in /take an appointment @ Costco eye section and asking them for an eye exam? I am not legally blind or anything -- so I can carry on till enrollment period and then sign up for vision insurance. So I can put this off. However if its just a few hundred dollars I might as well buy it myself.

unless you need progressive lens the cost is not too bad. I found the cheap places' progressives are not great but work. its worth paying for good lens though.

 

[Mulezen]

I have bought a few at Costco and it has saved me some money. The last time I got a new pair I had them take my old glasses, make them driving single prescription with a bronze photosensitive lenses. These really help my driving as the cut down on glare, are dark to begin with and darken more when needed.
For me being retired Military I can also get some through the VA at good pricing. Just don’t have all the fancy frames to choose from at the VA.

I use RX from the VA and order from Zenni…but the GF is resisting Zenni…and raves about Costco…so I have another way to push into new glasses

 

[Taylor57]

I use RX from the VA and order from Zenni…but the GF is resisting Zenni…and raves about Costco…so I have another way to push into new glasses

I use my RX from my optometrist at Wal Mart and then order from Zenni. I have been very pleased. When I told the employee of the optometrists office what I pay for a pair of progressive bifocals from Zenni, her jaw dropped!

 

[il Munduato]

I got these at Costco...
They work well but usually can't see well after extended use.

 

[fooferdoggie]

I use my RX from my optometrist at Wal Mart and then order from Zenni. I have been very pleased. When I told the employee of the optometrists office what I pay for a pair of progressive bifocals from Zenni, her jaw dropped!

I have a couple of the cheap guys and high-quality lens and there is a difference. especially if you use transition lens so much better on better quality lens. the clarity on lens that costs 50.00 versus 350.00 is there. plus you cant get very good frames these guys are the most comfortable glasses I have ever worn. they never move even after a bike crash and if I need a new prescription I just order the lens and pop them in. or wrap around sports glasses great for wind and rain too.

 

[Urbancowboy]

Good to know, I am talking about Costco Glasses, will check that one out but for now I am good.
Cheers

 

[markdwalden]

I can totally relate to your concerns about Costco membership just for glasses, but it might actually be worth it, especially if you’re looking to save some money. I’ve been going to Costco for years and, honestly, the price and selection on glasses are hard to beat. Even without vision insurance, I’ve saved quite a bit over time. The service is usually top-notch, and the options for frames are decent—though I get that sometimes, the style you want might not be available.

As for the prescription lenses, Costco can often offer better deals, and the quality is great. I’ve even had my old frames refitted with new lenses, which saved me a lot. One time, I had Costco put lenses in a pair of Ray-Bans I bought on Amazon. It was a win-win!

Also, if you’re into sports or work in environments where you need extra protection, you could check out options like wiley x safety glasses prescription. They provide a solid mix of style and durability, and you could get them with your prescription if needed.

In the end, if you’re only going for glasses, that membership fee might just pay for itself. Even though you don’t need much from Costco, the savings on glasses alone could make it worth it!

 

[harryS]

During the peak of Covid, I ordered online from Foreyes. I found that I didn't need to buy top-of-line plastic for the lenses which I had always done in stores. The internet align-it-yourself procedure of course was hokey and not optimal.

I just went in last week to a Foreyes. They now use a wearable alignment frame that holds the lenses on your face while they point a tablet at you which tries to align your pupils from two angles.. I watched them spend a lot of time with one customer (blind in one eye), Meanwhile, there is no inhouse doctor. The exam is done remotely. I see an eye doctor annually so I had a prescription. Anyway, with Black Friday, I got a progressive and a regular set for under $500.

 

[fooferdoggie]

One thing you are stuck with is the coatings that one provider offers. Two different providers used the same company to do it but offered different choices in coating, like scratch, glare, fog, and hydrophobic coatings. hydrophobic coatings are hard to find. but it is great for riding in the rain.