Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

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

latimes.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

421–430 of 610 posts

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

#421

Post by pandapower2 »

erklik wrote: post #372
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…

Unfortunately, its rather similar in Australia. Got a recent quote for a pair of glasses to be at $1000.

I feel like something has changed in Australia. I've worn glasses a long time and remember them always costing a few hundred dollars per pair. A few months ago I went into Specsavers and was able to buy glasses for under $50 per pair.

My prescription hasn't changed but the prices definitely have.

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

#422

Post by sabujp »

kazinator wrote: post #118
wenc wrote: post #74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It is somewhat hard to get right. I did it with a marker and old glasses, and I still got it wrong (and couldn't return the glasses that I ordered).

Ah, but no it isn't! See kazinator's dead accurate, no-friend-required method here: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13092902

it won't work if the mirror is tilted or bent, so make sure you get a flat mirror on a flat surface (e.g. use a level)

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

#423

Post by evarady »

asteli wrote: post #242
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…

Curious about a couple points: - How does the 3D scanning work? Presumably photogrammetry? What kind of accuracy are we talking about here in terms of typical measurement tolerances? - The frames are actually custom-fit? Are they machined or 3D printed or do you just have access to many permutationsof a given frame? [edit, formatting]

Great question: -for older devices without a depth sensor, we do a combination of pure computer vision (detect landmarks in 2D, then solve for 3D, then apply a morphable model (3DMM). After an order is placed, we'll do photogrammetry to further refine the model. -for newer devices with the TrueDepth sensor (used for FaceID), we build a mesh directly from that. -accuracy is sub-millimeter. -frames are 100% custom. For each frame, for each customer, we adjust over 20 different dimensions for a perfect fit. Down to the unique contours of your nose. It's all 5-axis CNC machined (for plastic) and laser-cut (for stainless steel) (also sorry if I overstepped earlier. I'm just trying to be helpful. Long time reader, but first time commenter.)

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

#424

Post by burntwater »

bluGill wrote: post #270
patentatt wrote: post #120

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’d take issue with “not complicated.” They are very tiny, have to be very low power, and they run a surprising amount of real-time DSP. Then the whole electronics package has to be integrated with an acoustics package including multiple microphones and transducers. And the higher quality all of those acoustical components are, the more transparent the end product. And it all has to be durable enough for continuous w…

Hearing aids are sold to hunters at a much lower price (as noise protection and low noise enhancement). The same work goes into them, but they are not medical devices so they have to be affordable.

Those hearing aids aren't even remotely close to the $3,000 hearing aids a full-time wearer uses. It's kind of like comparing a free solar-powered swag calculator to a TI-84 graphing calculator.

Although, much like the TI-84, $3,000 hearing aids probably are overpriced.

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

#425

Post by burntwater »

kstrauser wrote: post #413
patentatt wrote: post #120

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’d take issue with “not complicated.” They are very tiny, have to be very low power, and they run a surprising amount of real-time DSP. Then the whole electronics package has to be integrated with an acoustics package including multiple microphones and transducers. And the higher quality all of those acoustical components are, the more transparent the end product. And it all has to be durable enough for continuous w…

I ask seriously: could this be replicated with AirPods and an iPhone, in software?

I vaguely recall hearing about some work on this front. I suspect however that latency may be an issue.

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

#426

Post by mjgoeke »

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…

Fair warning: Zenni optical sent my password to me plaintext in email after creating an account with them (this was a few years ago now).

I would expect none of my data - profile, passwords, or banking info - is safe with them.

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

#427

Post by evarady »

pkaye wrote: post #250
evarady wrote: post #225

Earlier quoted context omitted.

At Topology Eyewear, we DON'T charge extra for super-high index (1.74) lenses, and all lenses come equipped with the best anti-reflective AND superhydrophobic coating. Because one shouldn't be forced to cut corners to deliver the best and most comfortable vision possible. Happy to answer any questions. Check it out at http://www.topologyeyewear.com

How do you customize nose fit? Sounds interesting but I don't know how a picture would be enough to determine the nose contour?

we build a 3D model of your entire face, including your nose. We then 5-axis CNC the shape of your nose into the frame, creating completely custom nosepads. We also use the unique location of each of your ears to craft unique left and right temples arms, each with custom length and drop angles to match the asymmetric location of each ear (everyone has a bit of asymmetry in their face). We also customize the temple arm angles based on the base curve (front curvature) of your ultimate Rx lens, so it all fits together as a system and will never stretch out over time. It fits perfect out-of-the-box, with no adjustments required.

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

#429

Post by fanzhang »

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…

A optometrist I went to did my eye exam for $90, and then I decided I wanted the prescription to get my own contacts.

First, I asked, and they denied it. Then I literally had to pull out this law and they finally granted it. But they did everything they could to obstruct me. Literally they refused to scan it and wanted me to show up in person. Then while writing it, the doctor himself said "sad to see you don't support our business". (For people living in Boston, the place was Custom Eyes in Central Square.)

I was surprised by the divergence between the law and how pissy the doctor got when I tried to exercise my rights.

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

#430

Post by hoaw »

arielweisberg wrote: post #193
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…

Another satisfied Zenni customer. The lenses are not always perfect and the frames are not always the best. Sizing is hit or miss. What I do is buy the frame with cheap lenses to check fit, then I buy it with nice lenses if I like it. They are so cheap there is no reason not to do it this way. Even ordering multiples it ends up being inexpensive.

I think the overall experience is just okay. But since getting equvilent glasses (selection, coatings) can cost several hundred dollars it is worth it.
Post reply on HN