Why are glasses so expensive? The eyewear industry prefers to keep that blurry • Hacker News Board

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

#571

Post by AlexandrB » Thu, Jan 24, 2019, 4:08 PM UTC

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…

I am extremely skeptical. Why? Because if you're using your phone to measure PD, you're presumably looking at the phone as you do so and your pupils are converged compared to a PD measurement when focusing at a distant (near infinity) object. It's not clear to me how using a 3d sensor to scan a face solves this problem and why this would be superior to the "focus on something far away and put dots on an old pair of glasses" method described here: http://www.daniellivingston.com/2012/06/measuring-your-own-p...

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

#572

Post by notus » Thu, Jan 24, 2019, 4:11 PM UTC

walterbell wrote: post #492

notus wrote: post #62

The bridge of my nose is shaped weird apparently and it makes most glasses not fit very well, they tend to slide down all the time. I've gone to different places and perplexed the people there trying to help me find something that fit properly. They said everything sits too far off my face. I dunno what to do but push my glasses up. I basically cant buy any of the cheap online options though because they never fit.

Cheap ($10): https://www.amazon.com/GMS-Optical-Comfortable-Silicone-Anti... Expensive (several $100): This company does a 3D scan of your facial structure, then your local provider designs a frame according to your anatomy and style/material/color preference. The frame design is then custom made, not 3D printed, https://3dna-eyewear.org

I wouldn't mind shelling out for the 3D scan if the product is good. Unfortunately I'm having trouble finding anything out about the company like reviews or pricing. Their website is very sparse as well.

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

#573

Post by En_gr_Student » Thu, Jan 24, 2019, 4:14 PM UTC

I feel that they steal the universe from me by making new prescriptions that presume normal distribution in use-case, and because the new prescription mandates new glasses.

I have heard that recycling of glasses is illegal. Isn't that like right-to-repair broken for 18th century technology? It is because someone in politics makes a lot of money from it. If someone were to dig out decent documentation there, and make it public, then the problem could be and not just patched with a band-aid.

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

#574

Post by skybrian » Thu, Jan 24, 2019, 4:16 PM UTC

kbenson wrote: post #566

tvanantwerp wrote: post #448

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I know if I started to lose my hearing--not all, but maybe 30-40% reduction--I'd probably be quite happy with the turning-down of all that noise I deal with daily. I'd especially like it when spending time with my Cantonese in-laws. Shouting is the default conversational mode there.

As I understand it, some of the newer (and likely more expensive) hearing aids support bluetooth, and you can change the levels and tuning from your phone. That would give you the best of both worlds, since you could give yourself good hearing for very important things (meetings, etc) or enjoyable things things that benefit from good hearing (some movies, listening to music, etc).

I've only tried one model, but I was disappointed in the sound quality for music. Hearing aid speakers apparently aren't intended to reproduce the full range of frequencies like headphones.

It's probably convenient for voice calls, though.

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

#575

Post by advertising » Thu, Jan 24, 2019, 4:23 PM UTC

Retro Super Future is a great brand for sunglasses and optical. Stores in the states and Europe, made in Italy.

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

#576

Post by skybrian » Thu, Jan 24, 2019, 4:25 PM UTC

abecedarius wrote: post #161

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 doubt the size constraint is pressing (as modern electronics go) unless you're trying to hide them. My decades-old high-power analog aids fit behind the ear.

Power constraints seem pretty tight, though. Modern hearing aids have radios in them for continuously sending audio data between the left and right sides, and they run for a week on a hearing aid battery.

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

#577

Post by sandbags » Thu, Jan 24, 2019, 5:00 PM UTC

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…

Last time I had an eye exam (UK, Boots) they of course gave me the prescription because they are obliged to, but under no circumstances would they give me a PD. I forget their exact reason but it was something about needing to relate it to the choice of glasses. Sounded like horse-shit designed to make me buy their overpriced frames to me. I do not expect to have any better luck this year.

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

#578

Post by teknico » Thu, Jan 24, 2019, 5:18 PM UTC

O1111OOO wrote: post #346

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 eye doctor must give you your prescription after your exam In regard to the above quote, I wonder how effective or if anyone is familiar with: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/eyeque-visioncheck-world-... It essentially promises to not only cut out the doctor's exam visit but actually improve the prescription (since measurements are taken throughout the day). note: not affiliated but seems like an interestin…

Not affiliated either, just an amazed customer.

Never needed glasses until I was in my late forties and had to start using reading ones.

I bought the Personal Vision Tracker (the black one) on the Indiegogo campaign. It's not very easy to use but gives fairly consistent data if handled with care. I did not yet compare the device data with the ones from a doctor's visit.

(The data for my right eye are slightly worse than for the left, and I have indeed not ideal results with standard reading glasses.)

I bought prescription glasses on a UK site (I live in Europe) based on the device data. Both the reading glasses (short distance) and the computer glasses (medium distance) are perfect: I have not seen this good in years.

Because of that excellent result I have also ordered the VisionCheck (the new, white one) on the Indiegogo campaign. It is purportedly easier to use, not gotten it yet.

Meanwhile I had also got the Insight model (larger white one). That is for visual acuity and it confirmed that I have 20/20. Interestingly, it also showed I have a light form of tritanopia, which might explain past naming disagreements around colors between green and blue.

Their product page: https://www.eyeque.com/pvt/

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

#579

Post by atombender » Thu, Jan 24, 2019, 5:19 PM UTC

flavor8 wrote: post #5

Zenni is very good. There is a slight difference in quality between them and the Armani Exchange glasses I got from an optician, but it's not significant. I got a basic pair of black framed rectangular nerd specs for $8 last week, and I'd happily wear them out. Measure the frame of a pair of glasses that looks good on your face and then try to find glasses with those measurements on Zenni.

Anyone else having trouble loading Zenni's web site at the moment? I've been trying it since yesterday. It's not showing images, search filters aren't clickable, etc. Looks like a JavaScript issue, but it's happening in multiple browsers, so it's probably not something on my end.

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

#580

Post by davidscolgan » Thu, Jan 24, 2019, 5:36 PM UTC

0x38B wrote: post #554

tvanantwerp wrote: post #448

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I know if I started to lose my hearing--not all, but maybe 30-40% reduction--I'd probably be quite happy with the turning-down of all that noise I deal with daily. I'd especially like it when spending time with my Cantonese in-laws. Shouting is the default conversational mode there.

As far as turning down noise, I highly recommend Etymotic's ER-20xs[1]: they reduce noise by 20db, and do so more evenly than, say, earplugs. I use them every single day. When walking near roads (cars), on buses, on the subway, at concerts. It's automatic to the point that whenever something gets louder than my comfort level, I pop them in. 99% of people don't notice them, just friends and family. It's also changed m…

Oh cool, thanks so much for posting this. I've just ordered a pair.

I've always wanted the ability to just "turn down" the sound of everyday life. I've actually wondered if some of my social anxiety has come from hearing sounds a little more intensely than some people, since after a hearing exam I apparently have super good hearing.

At times I've done audio recording without a monitor to hear my own voice. The result is me having in earbuds while speaking, and so I can't hear myself as well.

I noticed that I spoke louder and more confidently. So I've wondered if wearing something like these could be an effective way to help with social anxiety? Guess we'll see. Cheers!