I just got an eye exam and I found out that I'm nearsighted and will need glasses. I have never bought any before in my life, so I am feeling a bit overwhelmed. I am not sure what type of frame or lens to go for. Since I will be wearing them all the time, should I get a polycarbonate lens? How scratch resistant are they? Are they absurdly expensive? Also, what bells and whistles (i.e. antireflective coating and high index lens) are actually worthwhile relative to their cost? I want to get a durable, trendy pair of glasses, but I also want to make sure I don't get gipped by ridiculously high prices. Any tips you all could offer would be greatly appreciated.

Sometimes there are coupons for 2 pairs of glasses for 1 price.

Just remember that most of the chain places try to sell you on all sorts of things for your glasses. JCP is nice to do business with.

I deal with a local place and if you lived near me I would gladly share the name with you. My adjustments are free.

Best of luck to you !

I've worn glasses for years and always get the polycarbonate and love them.  I wear my glasses all of the time and have never had any problems with scratches.  I also get the antireflective coating.  This helps alot when driving at night.  It cuts down on the star bursts you get from the other cars headlights at night.  With all of that said, I have a very good perscription plan and receive a new pair of glasses every year for little to no cost.  I do have to pay for the antireflective coating and find it is well worth it.  Good Luck

G 

 

I think I just saw a LensCrafters commercial where you get the lenses free with frame purchase.

I also think it's wise to do the antireflective coating. Since I'm hard on my glasses, I do spring for the anti-scratch. 

Price several options at local galleries. Different places charge different amounts and there can be specials running, especially around "back to school" time.

I have gone without anti-scratch only to later regret it when I had to pay for repairs. I have also gone without anti-reflecting coating and had difficulty driving at night because of the glare. So now I spring for both. But I don't get glasses every year.

I look for specials for my frames so I can get the best (even free frames) deals.

Glasses are an important part of a person's health and safety. Comfort and durability should be priorities first with the extras as you can afford them.

Designer frames are the expensive ones. DW once spent $200 on one pair of glasses, but she didn't know any better at the time and has since learned. So look for the quality and not the designer's label.

Okay... this may sound different from everything else you've heard and not very frugal, but... buy what you want.  I've been wearing glasses since I was 8 and now, at not-even-30, without glasses I cannot see what's in front of me until it's 5 inches from my face -- no exagerating!  Re: the lens tips everyone has given, I agree completely.  Do the anti-scratch, polycarbonate, etc.  In regards to the frames, here's my advice.  Since you are starting out and you don't know yet how frequently you'll need to replace your lenses/frames, you don't want to spend too much.  Search around, price compare, etc.  However, if you discover that you only need to update everything every few years invest wisely.

I only replace my glasses (frames and lenses) every 4 or 5 years b/c it takes that long for my eyes to change and need a new prescription.  My insurance only gives me maybe a 10% discount, so not really all that helpful....  The coupons are usually pretty good deals, but there are better if you shop around.  I bought what I have now a year ago from LensCrafters.  I searched 3 stores for a style that fit my face well and I didn't even look at the price.  I wanted something that fit me well and looked good, too.  I mean, they're on my face which is what people are looking at every day (unfortunate, but true).  I spent $350 on what I have now; they are hybrid frames with metal surrounding the lenses and plastic ear pieces. 

I take them to back to the shop where I bought them to have them adjusted and have the nose pieces changed every 6 months at no additional cost to me.  They also check the screws and give them a general once over to make sure everything is holding up well.  Anything that needs adjusting is repaired; again, this is at no additional cost.  Make sure you buy them from a place that will do the same thing for you.  Glasses need to sit properly on your face so your eyes are looking out through the correct area of the lenses, so even if you tighten the screws yourself when they loosen, you'll still need to have them professionally adjusted and nose pieces changed every 6 months.  Otherwise you just spend all day pushing them up your nose.

Good luck!

mamasjob:

Glasses are an important part of a person's health and safety. Comfort and durability should be priorities first with the extras as you can afford them.

You only have one pair of eyes and they are not replacable.

I agree with shopping around and get the best deal you can. I think one of the most important things is to buy frames that are sturdy and also look good on you. It is all about finding frames that fit well and fit the shape of your face.

I have a strong prescription so I got the 'high index lenses" They are much lighter and thinner than normal. Also you might want to consider the "photo chromic lenses" which turn darker when you go outside and return to normal when you go back indoors. This will eliminate the need for "clip-on sunglasses" (hate those things). Maybe you can find a deal BOGO and have the 2nd pair made into sunglasses.

I heard Wally World has $40 glasses, frames and lenses.  If you can't afford glasses, check with your local Salvation Army.  They have a glasses program for low income people.

 I've worn glasses for the past 21 years and I HATE HATE HATE the photo chromic glasses!!!!!!!   they never seem to change when they should.   As a general rule, try squarish frames for a rounder face in order to look slimmer.   Roundish frames on a square, or long face with make the face look less severe.   I never buy designer frames (I need new glasses every nine months)  I ask for the cheapies....which are usually not on the display racks.   I also will reuse my frames, when possible.  I agree that it is important to get the nose, and ear pieces adjusted at least once a year.