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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

#291

Post by sreekar545 »

evarady wrote: post #213

I'm Eric, the founder of Topology Eyewear. We agree that "stock" eyewear (a.k.a. off-the-shelf eyewear) is overpriced. Worst than overpriced, it doesn't fit you very well, because it wasn't made for you! Everyone is different, so we have figured out how to make every one of our glasses different: 100% custom made to fit each individual, like a custom suit; made from the same luxury Italian acetate (plastic) and full-…

I know doing the same for android is tough. But any plans to make an app for android?

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

#292

Post by jacekm »

Interesting how much prices can vary between countries. I just googled for the prices in several stores here in Poland and it seems you can get the most basic frames and lenses for about $20. You can get a very decent pair for ~$100. Many companies here have to reimburse you a pair up to ~$130 every 2-3 years and this is the only time when you need prescription from doctor, otherwise you don't need it.

RayBan, Armani, etc. cost a lot, but I never seriously considered them.

I got my current pair over 15 years ago. Back then I think they must have costed over $200 but only because I have asked for (at that time) fancy lenses. This was expensive but considering how long they lasted and how much they survived I consider them one of the best purchases ever. I have couple of other glasses (reimbursed by my company, i.e. free) which I wear every now and then but I stick to the old pair simply because I am used to them.

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

#293

Post by nmstoker »

I hadn't thought of the cost, but the article does a good job of highlighting that. What I had noticed (in the UK at least) is how limiting the styles are by not being modular: opticians stock an impressive array of glasses, but it's incredible how inflexible it can be as countless times you find a pair that go well but then find there's some random flourish that ruins it - were the pieces modular (or better yet made to order by 3D printing) you'd get exactly what you were after - and then maybe I could just about stomach the pricing!

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

#294

Post by justfor1comment »

deckar01 wrote: post #243
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…

My optometrists have all used color-coded stickers that represent the price tiers of frames. Only one of them ever seems to be under my insurance allowance. They don't really have an incentive to make them any cheaper than the average allowance otherwise they would be leaving money on the table.

Yes, I noticed this as well and the one that is under the insurance allowance is comically ugly.

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

#295

Post by geoelectric »

CarriersSuck wrote: post #39
jawns wrote: post #15

Reminder, if you're in the US, the FTC says your eye doctor must give you your prescription after your exam. If a doctor refuses to do so, they can face legal action and penalties. https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2016/05/buying-prescriptio... That said, I don't think the FTC stipulates what information must appear on the prescription. Many docs leave off your PD (pupillary distance), which is a necessary measuremen…

Your PD is not actually part of your Rx. That's why it's normally not included. Your Rx consists of a OS Rx and OD Rx.

No, but the law has a handwavy bit about "everything needed to get prescription lenses," which ostensibly would include the PD at plain reading since you can't make the lenses without it and it's based on medical information. Your stance vs. that one is the crux of the debate.

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=1&SID=797d7708f...

> (g) A prescription is the written specifications for lenses for eyeglasses which are derived from an eye examination, including all of the information specified by state law, if any, necessary to obtain lenses for eyeglasses.

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

#296

Post by lmpostor »

wuliwong wrote: post #151
jandrese wrote: post #26

Walk into any eyeglasses store and what do you see? Tons of designer labels on everything, labels that were clearly just sold to some third party outfit to slap on their frames. As someone who generally avoids high fashion it drives me crazy to see all of those expensive and useless logos on everything along with $400 price tags. I'm glad to see all of these online outfits so ready to undercut them.

Walmart wanted to charge me $180-240 just to replace lenses in my frames. Even without a brand name it's still expensive!

Because you're lenses are coming from the same place. Depending on the contract year, your lenses are probably coming from Essilor, which at that point you should be probably be going to a private practice and getting better customer service and deals (in terms of warranties, and actually getting the most from the manufacturer). Though that really only extends to a two year period, if it is longer than than, it is pretty much considered a completely new order.

Disclosure, I work for Essilor.

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

#297

Post by loufe »

jawns wrote: post #15

Reminder, if you're in the US, the FTC says your eye doctor must give you your prescription after your exam. If a doctor refuses to do so, they can face legal action and penalties. https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2016/05/buying-prescriptio... That said, I don't think the FTC stipulates what information must appear on the prescription. Many docs leave off your PD (pupillary distance), which is a necessary measuremen…

I'm not sure if the professional designation changes country to country, but here in Canada an ophthalmologist would not be the person to give a comprehensive eye exam. That would be an optometrist. (source: optometrist parent)

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

#298

Post by Fins »

evarady wrote: post #228
Fins wrote: post #201

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Aren't they now EssilorLuxottica and also control a good chunk of lenses market as well?

Fun fact: Costco and Walmart surface their lenses on equipment made by Essilor (Satisloh subsidiary). Also if you're buying "transitions" branded photochromatic lenses - that's Essilor too.

I'm sure there are very few manufacturers of quality lens-making equipment.

On the other hand my latest glasses where neither lenses nor frame come from E-L cost an arm and a leg, too.

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

#299

Post by pedasmith »

sftwds wrote: post #75
jawns wrote: post #15

Reminder, if you're in the US, the FTC says your eye doctor must give you your prescription after your exam. If a doctor refuses to do so, they can face legal action and penalties. https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2016/05/buying-prescriptio... That said, I don't think the FTC stipulates what information must appear on the prescription. Many docs leave off your PD (pupillary distance), which is a necessary measuremen…

It doesn't hurt to ask! The last time I got my eyes examined was at some cheap lenscrafters-type store which had a promotion for 2 pairs of glasses and an eye exam for ~$60. The PD wasn't on the prescription, but the doctor made the measurement after I asked about it. There was a very limited selection of glasses that were available for the 2-for-$60 promotion, and they really tried to upsell me to more expensive fra…

Another ditto -- I now have one pair of regular glasses and four pairs of computer/reading glasses, all prescription (one for each computer I sit at!). The last 3 computer glasses cost $27 for all three. At those prices, I can trivially "just get" spares for vacations and hiking.

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

#300

Post by notyourday »

bergesenha wrote: post #130
sftwds wrote: post #75

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It doesn't hurt to ask! The last time I got my eyes examined was at some cheap lenscrafters-type store which had a promotion for 2 pairs of glasses and an eye exam for ~$60. The PD wasn't on the prescription, but the doctor made the measurement after I asked about it. There was a very limited selection of glasses that were available for the 2-for-$60 promotion, and they really tried to upsell me to more expensive fra…

Around here the store has some cheap frames they use for advertizing. The problem is they look like something a crazy old aunt would wear, with wild coloring. If you want anything like normal glasses you have to pay for the expensive brands. It’s really sad seeing institutionalized and less fortunate people wearing those cheap glasses...

> Around here the store has some cheap frames they use for advertizing. The problem is they look like something a crazy old aunt would wear, with wild coloring.

That would make you all the rage in a hipster circles.

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