Buying eyeglasses online

[JSngry]

Yeah, well. uh....probably not just now.

[Dave Garrett]

10 hours ago, Brad said:

Aside from the sarcasm, how is going to an ophthalmologist misdirection? They're equipped to determine whether your eyes have an issue. An optometrist is not. A few years ago, something in my eye didn't feel right so I called my ophthalmologist and she had me come right over. She detected a problem with the retina and an hour later I was being examined by a retinologist, who corrected the problem. An optometrist doesn't have the equipment nor the training to detect problems with your vision. 

Dan, you can do what you want but I'm not trusting my eyes to an optometrist or an online merchant. 

I've seen both ophthalmologists (who are medical doctors) and optometrists (who are not) over the past fifty years that I've worn glasses. Over the past 15-20 years, I've seen an optometrist who is rapidly approaching his 50th year in the practice. Based on my experiences with him, I'd have to challenge the blanket statement that optometrists don't have the equipment or training to detect vision problems, with the big caveat that not all optometrists are equally skilled. 

The optometrist I see has equipment that goes well beyond the basic phoropter that all optometrists use, specifically, image capture equipment to aid in examining the inside of the eye and the retina after the pupil has been dilated, for patients that are deemed to require such examinations. In my case, he had detected a weak spot in my retina some years ago but determined that it only required observation unless it changed significantly. A couple of years ago, I developed a small hole in my retina, and as I had a pretty good idea of what was going on, immediately went in to his office. He confirmed my suspicions and sent me directly to the ophthalmologist/retinal specialist he refers patients to when needed, who performed an in-office procedure that addressed the problem. 

Returning to the big caveat I mentioned above, he has sold his practice recently in preparation for retirement, but is (for now) continuing to see patients. I am not too impressed with the new optometrists and staff that have joined the practice in preparation for the eventual transition, so I may very well return to seeing a general ophthalmologist once he finally retires. I'm having a similar problem finding a new dentist, as the one I'd been using retired last month after a similarly lengthy career practicing dentistry. Too many of the dentists I see now seem to be more interested in upselling expensive cosmetic procedures rather than focusing on the cultivation of long-term patient relationships via the provision of basic, old-school dental care. 

[JSngry]

55 minutes ago, Dave Garrett said:

I've seen both ophthalmologists (who are medical doctors) and optometrists (who are not) over the past fifty years that I've worn glasses. Over the past 15-20 years, I've seen an optometrist who is rapidly approaching his 50th year in the practice. Based on my experiences with him, I'd have to challenge the blanket statement that optometrists don't have the equipment or training to detect vision problems, with the big caveat that not all optometrists are equally skilled. 

The optometrist I see has equipment that goes well beyond the basic phoropter that all optometrists use, specifically, image capture equipment to aid in examining the inside of the eye and the retina after the pupil has been dilated, for patients that are deemed to require such examinations. In my case, he had detected a weak spot in my retina some years ago but determined that it only required observation unless it changed significantly. A couple of years ago, I developed a small hole in my retina, and as I had a pretty good idea of what was going on, immediately went in to his office. He confirmed my suspicions and sent me directly to the ophthalmologist/retinal specialist he refers patients to when needed, who performed an in-office procedure that addressed the problem. 

Returning to the big caveat I mentioned above, he has sold his practice recently in preparation for retirement, but is (for now) continuing to see patients. I am not too impressed with the new optometrists and staff that have joined the practice in preparation for the eventual transition, so I may very well return to seeing a general ophthalmologist once he finally retires. I'm having a similar problem finding a new dentist, as the one I'd been using retired last month after a similarly lengthy career practicing dentistry. Too many of the dentists I see now seem to be more interested in upselling expensive cosmetic procedures rather than focusing on the cultivation of long-term patient relationships via the provision of basic, old-school dental care. 

Well, I just checked, and I've been seeing an optometrist for a good long while now, not an ophthalmologist. And like yours, he's damn good, technologically adept, and pays attention to the finer points of personal eye evolution (or deterioration, as the case may be). So let me amend my statement.

Kudos, Dr. Tran!

https://www.planoeye.com/team/stanley-tran-od/

No way in hell am I going to go to some factory clinic, though. Same with dentists, you gotta look out for the pimps, they're too damn everywhere.

[Dan Gould]

10 hours ago, Dave Garrett said:

I've seen both ophthalmologists (who are medical doctors) and optometrists (who are not) over the past fifty years that I've worn glasses. Over the past 15-20 years, I've seen an optometrist who is rapidly approaching his 50th year in the practice. Based on my experiences with him, I'd have to challenge the blanket statement that optometrists don't have the equipment or training to detect vision problems, with the big caveat that not all optometrists are equally skilled. 

The optometrist I see has equipment that goes well beyond the basic phoropter that all optometrists use, specifically, image capture equipment to aid in examining the inside of the eye and the retina after the pupil has been dilated, for patients that are deemed to require such examinations. In my case, he had detected a weak spot in my retina some years ago but determined that it only required observation unless it changed significantly. A couple of years ago, I developed a small hole in my retina, and as I had a pretty good idea of what was going on, immediately went in to his office. He confirmed my suspicions and sent me directly to the ophthalmologist/retinal specialist he refers patients to when needed, who performed an in-office procedure that addressed the problem. 

Returning to the big caveat I mentioned above, he has sold his practice recently in preparation for retirement, but is (for now) continuing to see patients. I am not too impressed with the new optometrists and staff that have joined the practice in preparation for the eventual transition, so I may very well return to seeing a general ophthalmologist once he finally retires. I'm having a similar problem finding a new dentist, as the one I'd been using retired last month after a similarly lengthy career practicing dentistry. Too many of the dentists I see now seem to be more interested in upselling expensive cosmetic procedures rather than focusing on the cultivation of long-term patient relationships via the provision of basic, old-school dental care. 

I was thinking about this when reading Brad's blanket statement. I've never been to an optometrist who just plopped me in the chair and started dialing up the magnification until I could see the big E. They are like the front line of the eye exam world, checking for different eye diseases every time, doing the drops to dilate the pupil etc etc.  If something comes up they will refer you to an opthalmologist.

[Brad]

As Dave notes, optometrist are not medical doctors and I'm not trusting my eyes or any part of my body, for that matter, to anybody who is not a medical doctor; if I had a back problem, I would not consult a chiropractor but an orthopedist.  If you guys wish to do so, by all means do so. 

Edited July 6, 2019 by Brad

[JSngry]

Some chiropractors are better than some orthopedists. And vice versa.

[GA Russell]

Thanks for your views!

I got a new prescription from an optometrist.  Her connected optician had nothing whose price was near what my insurance offered.  I asked the optician if she knew anything about the online sellers, and she quickly suggested that I avoid Zenni.

I get paid the end of this week, so I'll plan to place my order then.

[Justin V]

I have worn contacts for about 20 years and went without glasses for a foolishly long time.  When my eye doctor suggested I get a pair if glasses to give my eyes a break, I bought a pair from Zenni in the fall.  They were too small for my giant noggin, so I returned them for a full credit to my Zenni account.  I believe that that full credit was a one-time deal, with subsequent credits being a 50% refund to the credit card used.

I finally ordered another pair and did a better job of finding a frame size and shape for my head.  Although it felt like I was walking on the moon at first, my eyes soon adjusted and I have now worn them for the last 6 days aside from maybe 5 hours when I threw in contacts.

Having gone so long without glasses, I had forgotten how it felt to be able to see while having fresh air circulate to my eyes.  

When I stopped by my doctor's office to order contacts, I found out that the outside company that had been operating the eyeglass store within the hospital had gone bankrupt, so getting a prescription and then walking down the hall to pick out frames is now impossible.

I am happy with my Zenni glasses (which were very reasonable and arrived quickly) so far.  If that changes, I'll post here.

[kinuta]

On 2019年7月5日 at 7:52 PM, Dan Gould said:

Seriously Brad? So, let's say that Person A goes to a qualified Optometrist, who verifies the health of his eyes and issues a new, slightly stronger prescription. So does Person B.

Person A walks 10 feet thru the waiting area into the "independent" retail establishment that sells frames and has equipment onsite to create the glasses the prescription calls for. He finds a frame he likes and if his prescription is simple enough, in about an hour walks out with clearer vision and $500 lighter in the wallet.

Person B walks out of the optometrist's office, turns right thru the exit door, shops online for frames, and about four days later has a set of frame he likes and vision that is also clearer.  He is $300 lighter in the wallet.

Person B has stinted on his preservation of his eyesight??? In what possible way?

I don't know how it works in Old Europe but in the states, it seems that part of the job description and duty for licensed opticians is to adjust the frames of anyone who walks thru the door.  Frames get knocked around (I don't know how many times my dog has fucked up my glasses) and you go to the eyeglass store to get them tightened up. No one has ever asked if I bought them there, and I have certainly gone to retail establishments I've never purchased from for this service. 

If this is a problem, what would you possibly do if you were out of town and had your frames twisted around so the damn things wouldn't even stay on your face? Wait until you are back so you can take them where you bought them, or go find an optician and ask them to tighten these things back up?

You can get your glasses adjusted for free at any opticians here.

Replacement nose pads (sic) cost about 650  yen, $5.00.

I use the optometrist at a local hospital for a prescription.

 

[GA Russell]

Yesterday I ordered a pair of glasses from EyeBuyDirect.  I expect to receive it in two weeks.  I'll let you know what I think.

[mr jazz]

I'm in the market too and was planning to go to Costco but could go the dot com route.

[Shrdlu]

Members of my family have used the Costco setup with success. They have an optometrist and can send off to have the lenses made (of course).

As I said, my saxophone mentor was an optometrist for decades. An optometrist is all you need for a presciption, unless you have some kind of eye disease. To use an worn-out expression, it isn't rocket science. There are four measurements for each eye: sphere, cylinder, axis and distance between the pupils. That's it.

I think that some of you are worrying unnecessarily.

[GA Russell]

I received my glasses in less than two weeks.

Functionally, I'm quite satisfied.  They are very comfortable, and the prescription is good.

However, as a fashion accessory, I feel they are too small for my face.  Next time I will order a larger size if I can.

Thanks for your comments!

[Soulstation1]

I need new prescription sunglasses and Reg glasses 

both of my pairs over 5/6 years old are falling apart 

[erwbol]

Buying prescription glasses online? You 'Mericans crazy!