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Why are glasses so expensive? The eyewear industry prefers to keep that blurry

latimes.com

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Re: Why are glasses so expensive? The eyewear industry prefers to keep that blurry

#251

Post by yitchelle »

blackbrokkoli wrote: post #40

Title correction: Why are glasses so expensive in the US? The American eyewear industry prefers to keep that blurry. Please stop using the US as the "that's how it is"-standard. In Germany, you pay a very reasonable (from my layman perspective) price for the lenses, maybe about 40$ plus another 30$ if you want to have non-reflective glasses or product from big name producers and stuff like that. Like every fashion pr…

Which German company are you using for your glasses? My wifes' glasses cost 750€ about 12 months ago. Nothing special in her prescriptions, except perhaps that she needed prisms.

The German glasses shop also have a bad habit of keeping the perscriptions after they have tested your eyes and not giving you a copy. Very frustrating!

Re: Why are glasses so expensive? The eyewear industry prefers to keep that blurry

#252

Post by rlonstein »

evarady wrote: post #221
CarriersSuck wrote: post #129

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's awesome. Anything more than about a half diopter and you'll probably not get away with that in glasses. Contacts can go a little higher. I'm personally astigmatism sensitive, so I have to be spot on for degree and diopter.

To be legally above board, an online provide must attempt to confirm the Rx you enter is correct AND still valid. But few if any do because its a race to the bottom on quality and price. At Topology Eyewear, we spare no expense to ensure you get the best custom frames (like a custom suit) AND the best optics money can buy. We take 100% compensated Rx very seriously!

We're already aware you're enthusiastic about your business. Kindly leave the self-endorsement out of every comment.

Re: Why are glasses so expensive? The eyewear industry prefers to keep that blurry

#253

Post by PeanutNore »

I recommend finding an independent eye practice - independent ophthalmology practices are common and likely to also have optometrists on staff - and getting a printed prescription from your exam. This lets you sidestep the Luxottica monopoly completely when you take your prescription to an online vendor like 39dollarglasses.com. You can easily get two pairs of glasses with the full suite of antireflective coatings for less than the copay you'd pay buying glasses at retail with insurance.

Re: Why are glasses so expensive? The eyewear industry prefers to keep that blurry

#254

Post by webwanderings »

justfor1comment wrote: post #199

Have to share this related story. I recently got a new prescription and the glasses salesman at my optometrist said that my insurance is super generous and willing to pay upto $200 every year for new glasses, so I should definitely get a pair before the end of the year. So I looked around and picked a frame I liked. The salesman measured my PD and started offering me options on the lenses. Coat this, photo reflect th…

I bet this is a typical story across the board in US. The "salesman (or woman)" are just that. They are barely trained as technician in this field. But they are trained to sell.

Re: Why are glasses so expensive? The eyewear industry prefers to keep that blurry

#255

Post by RandallBrown »

__jal wrote: post #240
danellis wrote: post #235

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What are HN's rules regarding advertising? Where's the line between a helpful comment from someone recommending their own product and an ad?

Got me, but I just added Topology Eyewear to my list of companies to never do business with. Don't spam in my pleasure reading.

It's not really spam when it's a legitimately helpful comment.

Re: Why are glasses so expensive? The eyewear industry prefers to keep that blurry

#256

Post by get1985this »

pugworthy wrote: post #19

You want to know what's outrageously expensive, yet equally important for basic ability to function in the workplace and other situations? Hearing aids. Hearing aids are glasses for your ears. But compared to them, glasses are unbelievably dirt cheap, and basically fully covered by a lot of decent company insurance plans. Hearing aids? Not the case. Imagine if glasses cost $2-3000 per lens. PER LENS. And your company…

There is a new company out there that solves the cost problem by offering advanced hearing aids with a remote care from an audiologist using video conference (vs. a doctor's office visit). A friend of a friend loves their device and said that service was really good too. http://listenlively.com

Re: Why are glasses so expensive? The eyewear industry prefers to keep that blurry

#257

Post by littlecosmic »

I’ve managed a few eyewear stores in Australia and it is important to not forget that the dispensing, fitting and quality checking of eyewear is time consuming if you don’t want to half-arse it. I’ve never worked in the very high end stores, but whoever is rolling in money, it wasn’t us.

Re: Why are glasses so expensive? The eyewear industry prefers to keep that blurry

#258

Post by pmarreck »

__jal wrote: post #240
danellis wrote: post #235

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What are HN's rules regarding advertising? Where's the line between a helpful comment from someone recommending their own product and an ad?

Got me, but I just added Topology Eyewear to my list of companies to never do business with. Don't spam in my pleasure reading.

Oh look, a guy trying to be helpful while making some money mentions his product on a fucking tech-news website run by a famous startup incubator and you idiots want to report it?

Classy.

This is especially stupid considering the entrenched eyeglass industry is a monopoly https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7H-_8UkmFU

Basically, this guy can't NOT be helpful

Re: Why are glasses so expensive? The eyewear industry prefers to keep that blurry

#260

Post by teilo »

evarady wrote: post #217

I'm Eric, the founder of Topology Eyewear. Our 3D face scan (via our iPhone app) is way more accurate than a standard pupilometer used in a Doctor's office (and WAY WAY better than a ruler or dots placed by a sharpie!). We solve for monocular PD, so no need to beg your doctor for this piece of info that isn't technically part of your Rx. Check it out at http://www.topologyeyewear.com or on the App Store at http://bit…

Right. Except that you have to buy eyeglasses if you want those numbers. The app will not tell them to you, and the frames alone are $349, not counting lenses. Total price starts at $600 and goes up. So, no thanks. I'll pass.
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