top o' the mornin'® - evening edition

[earendel]

So it's Saturday, and I had my day all planned out. I was going to go to choir practice for a dress rehearsal of the "Ceremony of Carols" performance we're doing tomorrow. I get to church (through rain and slush), take my seat in the loft, take my glasses off to clean them and they break - the right frame (which was cracked) broke into three pieces. OK, I can't see to sing, and I can't see to drive. I call elwing, who calls a friend who in turn brings her to church so she can take me to get my glasses fixed. Seems simple so far, right?

I get to the mall to go to Lens Crafters, where my glasses and frames came from. I walk in and show the broken frames to the clerk. He informs me that they can't be fixed (which I knew) and that they don't have that particular style of frame any longer, nor any that will fit my lenses (they are large-sized and glass). So I ask to have a new pair of glasses made from the information on file. He informs me that the prescription is 5 years old (which is true - I have a diabetic eye exam every year but not a vision check) and they won't make glasses until I have my eyes checked. He also tells me that they don't make glass lenses any longer, which aggrevates me - I don't want plastic because they scratch more easily and discolors (these are my opinions - tanstaafl may disagree). I'm convinced that it's a scam - plastic has to be replaced more often, so Lens Crafters makes more money.

I go next door to the optician's office, but they don't have any openings for several hours. At this point I figure I have no choice, so I settle down to wait. Eventually I get my eyes examined. The prescription is a little different, so I guess it's a good thing I had them checked. I go back to Lens Crafters and check in. A few minutes later a clerk comes up. I tell her what I want. She directs me to some frames that look identical to the ones I had - but they are a newer model and not the same size. I agree to take them, then we talk about lenses. I tell her I would really prefer glass. She tells me that glass is available, but they can't make them "in about an hour" - which I knew from the last time. It will take 7-14 business days to make the glass lenses. She hefts my glasses and says, "These are really heavy - are you sure you want glass?" I tell her yes - I've worn glass glasses for almost 50 years. She places my order and says I'll get a call when they're ready. I'm guessing it will be after Christmas, and possibly after New Year's.

In the meantime I'm wearing the pair that I got just after the house fire - they are plastic (and have a few scratches around the edges).

One last thought - if I had settled for plastic lenses, I wouldn't be wearing "glasses" any longer. I'd be wearing "plastics."

[Bob Juch]

You're right that plain old plastic will scratch, but I get polycarbonate ones that have never scratched. They're super light and thin too.

[earendel]

You're right that plain old plastic will scratch, but I get polycarbonate ones that have never scratched. They're super light and thin too.

Thin won't do for me - I have "Coke bottle" lenses and years ago I was told that plastic couldn't be molded/shaped to accommodate my presecrption, which is why I've gone with glass. Polycarbonate might be an option, but they wouldn't be thin.

[gsabc]

You're right that plain old plastic will scratch, but I get polycarbonate ones that have never scratched. They're super light and thin too.

Thin won't do for me - I have "Coke bottle" lenses and years ago I was told that plastic couldn't be molded/shaped to accommodate my presecrption, which is why I've gone with glass. Polycarbonate might be an option, but they wouldn't be thin.

I, too, have thick lenses, but have had polycarbonates for years. My vision has changed enough from exam to exam to warrant new lenses anyway, but I've had good luck with keeping scratches to a minimum. I can't use plastic frames because the bridge of my nose is so narrow, every one I've tried just slides down. I use the wire frames with the adjustable nose pieces. The polycarbonate lenses keep them light, but the lenses do stick out because they're so thick. I don't mind. Anything to keep the glasses up on my nose where they belong.

[peacock2121]

I would have tried to talk you out of glass as well. There have been great advances made in lenses in the last 5 years. You would be much happier with high index lenses - 1.71 or 1.74. They are thinner and lighter than polycarbonates.

They do not yellow "on their own" any more. The only yellowing that will happen will be from cigarette smoke. There have been great advances in scratch resistance coatings as well. You can't clean them with your shirt tail, and if you do that with glass, you end up with dirt around the edges anyway which is just plain gross.

You should be getting your vision checked at least every 2 years. Who does your diabetic eye exam (and what does that mean - just a look at you retina?) and doesn't do a Rx check? Make sure you are getting a pressure screening as well.

[earendel]

I would have tried to talk you out of glass as well. There have been great advances made in lenses in the last 5 years. You would be much happier with high index lenses - 1.71 or 1.74. They are thinner and lighter than polycarbonates.

It's entirely possible - but Lens Crafters didn't offer polycarbonate, either. And I must confess that I'm pretty set in my ways when it comes to my glasses - I like the style on my face.

They do not yellow "on their own" any more. The only yellowing that will happen will be from cigarette smoke. There have been great advances in scratch resistance coatings as well. You can't clean them with your shirt tail, and if you do that with glass, you end up with dirt around the edges anyway which is just plain gross.

I soak mine every two or three days to make sure that nothing builds up between the lens edges and the frames. I generally use a soft cloth to clean the lenses.

You should be getting your vision checked at least every 2 years. Who does your diabetic eye exam (and what does that mean - just a look at you retina?) and doesn't do a Rx check? Make sure you are getting a pressure screening as well.

The diabetic eye exam includes dilation of the pupils and a check of the retinas to look for diabetic retinopathy, a pressure test to check for glaucoma, and a check for macular degeneration. It's not a vision check. The differences between my current prescription and the new one were minimal, according to the optometrist; if there had been any drastic changes I'm sure I would have gone to see the eye doctor before now.

[Bob Juch]

It's entirely possible - but Lens Crafters didn't offer polycarbonate, either. And I must confess that I'm pretty set in my ways when it comes to my glasses - I like the style on my face.

Mine came from LensCrafters. I also got titanium frames which should last longer than I do. They were expensive, but "Millionaire" paid for it.

[themanintheseersuckersuit]

I get to the mall to go to Lens Crafters, where my glasses and frames came from. I walk in and show the broken frames to the clerk. He informs me that they can't be fixed (which I knew) and that they don't have that particular style of frame any longer, nor any that will fit my lenses (they are large-sized and glass). So I ask to have a new pair of glasses made from the information on file. He informs me that the prescription is 5 years old (which is true - I have a diabetic eye exam every year but not a vision check) and they won't make glasses until I have my eyes checked. He also tells me that they don't make glass lenses any longer, which aggrevates me - I don't want plastic because they scratch more easily and discolors (these are my opinions - tanstaafl may disagree). I'm convinced that it's a scam - plastic has to be replaced more often, so Lens Crafters makes more money.

I could have written this two weeks ago. Just substitute JC Penny Optical for Lenscrafters. The kicker is that I wear contact lenses, but I like to have a pair of bifocal reading glasses/sunglasses with lenses that darken in the sun. Only they are not really bifocal since the top part is uncorrected. They are just a fancy version of what I can buy off the shelf for my middle aged eyes. Yet I get the same run around. And I walked out on my optometrist after he kept me waiting for a hour for my appointment.

[tanstaafl2]

You're right that plain old plastic will scratch, but I get polycarbonate ones that have never scratched. They're super light and thin too.

Thin won't do for me - I have "Coke bottle" lenses and years ago I was told that plastic couldn't be molded/shaped to accommodate my presecrption, which is why I've gone with glass. Polycarbonate might be an option, but they wouldn't be thin.

There are very few prescriptions these days that can't be made in the various "plastic" lenses. They will be thinner, maybe not thin, and they will most assuredly be lighter. I wore glass glasses for many years but would never ever go back (and I have only a moderate perscription). They certainly are much more scratch resistant but I am willing to trade that for the weight.

Types of plastic include CR-39 which is the most common form of plastic lenses. Cheaper but not shatter resistant. And can still be quite thick with strong perscriptions.

Polycarbonate is the "safety glass". They do scratch easy though and are optically inferior to glass or plastic.

High-Index is a type of plastic that can make strong perscriptions less thick but they do tend to be more expensive. And their optical properties can take some getting used to compared to glass or CR-39.

There is a newer type called trivex which allows for thin lenses with improved impact resistance but it may still be harder to find. I may try it for my next pair if there isn't something new out by the time I need new glasses.

Currently I wear polycarbonate for their shatter resistance. Glass glasses can be quite dangerous for active people because of the risk of fragments if they shatter. But polycarbs do scratch quite easily even with scratch resistant coating.

Perhaps the best choice for you would be what is usually referred to as "high-index" lenses which are good for thick perscriptions and are a bit more resistant to scratches. But is is also probably the most expensive material.

I just got a new pair in July on something of an impulse buy and got Brooks Brother wire frames and rimless polycarbonate lenses from Pearle Vision. Far too expensive and if I had wanted to wait I could no doubt have gotten a much better deal by hitting up one of my inside connections.

But it has proved a bad decision. Just broke the frames a few days ago and even though they were less than 6 months old the warranty of course only provides for getting a new frame at half price. Initially they claimed it would only take a few days to fix but now they say it will take 10 days to fix just to replace the damned frames even though they have them in stock. That of course is bullshit and remarkably annoying. Had I known I would have just taken the frames and put the lenses back in myself!

Last time I do business with Pearle Vision. And someday I will learn my lesson about buying on an impulse.

Maybe.

I hope.

[gsabc]

Last time I do business with Pearle Vision.

Pearle Vision sucks. We learned that lesson long enough ago that I can't recall the details. All I recall is being extremely dissatisfied with their customer service and willingness to stand behind their product and its quality.

We've gotten decent service recently from both WalMart and BJ's Optical. Quality and styles are adequate, and prices are reasonable. You do have to watch out for the newer staff, though, especially if you have a multi-focal lens (bi- or tri-focal). Took me two shots to get my progressives right at BJ's.

I'll let you know how the new transaction goes, come January. I need a new set and will be on the hunt for new frames.

[tanstaafl2]

Pearle Vision sucks. We learned that lesson long enough ago that I can't recall the details. All I recall is being extremely dissatisfied with their customer service and willingness to stand behind their product and its quality.

Now you tell me!

I had not purchased glasses through a retailer in I don't know how long. I wish now that I hadn't done so this time either.

[peacock2121]

Go to a private optician.

Once you have a problem, they want you to be happy.

They buy frames directly from the manufacturer and generally have a working relationship with the sales rep. That can buy the optician something and therefore, buy you something.

A private optician is generally the licensed person - if opticians are licensed in your state (not so at chains). They will have taken continuing education courses and know about advances in technology.

I love it when people hate LensCrafters or hate Pearle. I just wish that translated into going private, rather than switching chains.

[tanstaafl2]

Go to a private optician.

Once you have a problem, they want you to be happy.

They buy frames directly from the manufacturer and generally have a working relationship with the sales rep. That can buy the optician something and therefore, buy you something.

A private optician is generally the licensed person - if opticians are licensed in your state (not so at chains). They will have taken continuing education courses and know about advances in technology.

I love it when people hate LensCrafters or hate Pearle. I just wish that translated into going private, rather than switching chains.

Yes, when I was in private practice I worked with private opticians. I was being lazy this time and I have hopefully learned my lesson. As I said it was an impulse thing and I don't plan to use a chain again.

[SportsFan68]

Last time I do business with Pearle Vision.

Pearle Vision sucks. We learned that lesson long enough ago that I can't recall the details. All I recall is being extremely dissatisfied with their customer service and willingness to stand behind their product and its quality.

I got the wrong prescription from Pearle -- I tried my new glasses on and couldn't see. It was like looking through the wrong end of a telescope. Then when they came back, they had put a safety coating on ONE lens, which soon wore off in little flakes, making it impossible to see. I did not switch chains, though. I went to a real office, where I was talked out of glass because of volleyball, softball, hunting, hiking -- as somebody pointed out, the danger of shattering. Then I had vision correcting surgery and have been happy with it ever since.