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Medical Forum / General / Vision / February 2005Prescription lens quality
I just got a new prescription and need to change out the lenses in 3 pairs of glasses. (Main, backup, sunglasses) Lenscrafters quoted me $518 after all the discounts they could give me, Sam's club quoted me $285. That's with scratch resistance, impact resistance, UV protection, and anti-glare (and polarization for the sunglasses). What I'm wondering is if there's any difference in the quality of the lenses I would get from these 2 companies. Obviously I'm interested in the lower price, but at least for my main pair that I wear all day every day, I don't want to skimp on quality. Does anyone know if Sam's is using lower quality materials? Or are there any questions I can be asking that might highlight a difference in the lenses? > I just got a new prescription and need to change out the lenses in 3 > pairs of glasses. (Main, backup, sunglasses) Lenscrafters quoted me [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > is using lower quality materials? Or are there any questions I can be > asking that might highlight a difference in the lenses? Generally, Sam's club carries brand name lenses which are much higher quality than Lenscrafters, although Sam's also has lenses that are comparable in quality in Lenscrafters. But you didn't say which brand, model, and (index) was quoted to you from Sam's. You should be able to get this information from Sams, but it is very hard to get the same info from Lenscrafters. An example of brand is Sola, Essilor, Varilux. An example of a model is Solamax, Natural, Comfort. Examples of materials are: "Regular" Plastic 1.50 (also called CR-39 or Hard Resin) Spectralite 1.54 Polycarbonate 1.59 High Index 1.60 Very High Index 1.67 Lenscrafters offers 1/2 off sales on lenses almost all the time, but you have to buy a frame from them. If you don't buy a frame, their prices are quite high. Get the information about the lenses you were quoted from Sam's. If the sales person doesn't know, ask to see the head optician. You could also try Wal-Mart optical (Wal-Mart owns Sams). > I just got a new prescription and need to change out the lenses in 3 > pairs of glasses. (Main, backup, sunglasses) Lenscrafters quoted me [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > is using lower quality materials? Or are there any questions I can be > asking that might highlight a difference in the lenses? You have to understand how glasses are priced. When the optician/optometrist quotes, they watch you carefully. O: They will cost you $200. If you don't blink, O: For the frames. O: And the lenses are $100. If you still don't blink and are quiet. O: Each. Bill >I just got a new prescription and need to change out the lenses in 3 >pairs of glasses. (Main, backup, sunglasses) Lenscrafters quoted me [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] >is using lower quality materials? Or are there any questions I can be >asking that might highlight a difference in the lenses? Ask if the scratch coating is included with the anti-reflection coating (it is), and if extra UV protection is included with polarized and all other lenses except glass and cr39 plastic (yes). There are significant differences in the function, fit and finish of the final product from one optician or chain to another. This is especially true in states that do not regulate or license opticians (27 states do not) and/or if the Rx is complex (progressive or higher power). It's the optician that determines the level of quality and service, so shop the optician, not the doctor's office or commercial chain. And as always, caveat emptor. Hope this helps Robert Martellaro ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Optician/Owner Roberts Optical robopt@execpc.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "If a million people believe a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing." - Anatole France "Robert Martellaro" <robopt@nospam.com> wrote in message > > Ask if the scratch coating is included with the anti-reflection coating (it is), > and if extra UV protection is included with polarized and all other lenses [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > Hope this helps > Robert Martellaro As I already mentioned, Lenscrafters prices their lenses (almost all mid-level quality) for their 50% off sale (which is "almost" perpetual). But these prices are only good on a complete pair of glasses with frames, hence the very high price quoted. Sam's offers brand name lenses (some better than others depending on which ones you get) at very good prices. I believe they charge $10 extra if you don't purchase a frame from them. |
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