Is there a difference in getting eye glasses from a place like Target vs. a private eyecare place?

[blessed mommy]

Other than price!

Our ds(8) needs a new lense script, and so I took the script to a reputable and popular eye glass place. I was stunned that the cost was going to be over $200! That's after our lousy insurance weighed in.
So, I call my friend, we're chatting away, the glasses topic came up, and she said she always goes to Target! She said she's never payed over $100 for any lenses, and her ds also has "high-need" eyes.

Any opinions welcome!

TIA!

[CallMeMommy]

I've been getting my eyes checked and my glasses made at ShopKo for years. Friends at work get fleeced at the eye clinic attached to the medical center we work for and I have no idea why they keep going.

[lisalulu]

I've never done Target but we got really nice glasses at Costco. I think mine were around 100-130 but I have to pay extra for those thinner lenses because my scrip is so strong. The only thing with Costco (and probably Target?) is they don't bill insurance. But I'm guessing you can take the receipt and get reimbursed. There was also a thread on the frugality board probably last year on discount lenses if you feel like searching.

[alexsam]

Sort of... We've decided to stick with our local optometrist and her shop because 1.) We see the same people every time. We know them, they know us 2.) Kids glasses need lots of tweaking- new nosepads, adjustments every couple weeks, etc. They do all that free and quickly. 3.) The glasses are expensive, but they are quality (in kids stuff, you get what you pay for) and they are warrentied for a year, so I know I will not have to keep replacing "cheap" broken frames (that would still cost a minimum of $80-$100). I'd rather spend $350 on really great glasses and know that is it for the year and that I am confident are strong, light, and comfortable 4.) They are able to be more flexible in their suppliers, so if you want certain things with glasses or frames, they can get them. and 5.) We have found that an optometrist who specializes in children is important as compared to a "grown up one" who is often much less knowledgable about children and their eyes, conditions, and development. Like with any other doctor, you want one you trust is really good, and there is a lot of difference in someone who really knows kids (and has the appropriate tools- the things and methods for very young children are different).

I have 2 kids in glasses- a 4 yr old and a 9 MONTH old and personally, I would not go to Bix Box glasses. We don't have a whole lot of money (I am a SAHM and my husband is a grad student) but we have found the cheapies come at a hidden cost.

That said- if it is a simple perscription for glasses she will only wear occasionally at school, maybe... But for anything remotely complicated or glasses she will wear all the time, no.

[SandraS]

We happily go to Walmart, and my son's break- and scratch-resistant glasses cost way less than $100.00. Docs are licensed just like any other doc, it's not a lesser exam or a lesser quality pair of glasses.

[zeldamomma]

We've switched to buying online. My last pair of glasses cost $28 shipped. My dd got titanium frames with lineless bifocals that automatically turn into sunglasses in the sun for $90.

We've been happy so far, and haven't required any adjustments. I like that my dd's glasses are cheap enough that I don't feel the need to constantly lecture her about "being responsible" the way my parents did with me.

I would like to support a local business, but the mark ups are so high, I can't do it.

eta: We do go to a well regarded optometrist to get our eyes checked. I think that after you have the prescription, filling it isn't terribly complicated, and most shops send that work out.

[painefaria]

I am a case manager and I have gone to many places to get glasses and I really like Total Vision Care. The staff are really helpful, they have a great variety of glasses, and sometime run a special for under $100.00.

[NightOwlwithowlet]

I've used Walmart and Costco for myself for years. I go to my regular local doctor for the perscription and check up, I also order my contact lens through them. But, the glasses I only wear at home and at night were going to be $200-300 dollars vs. $45-75 dollars at Costco or Walmart.

For my niece, when she lived with us, I took her to Costco for her glasses and was very happy and pleased by the price and service. The price allowed her to prescription sun glasses in addition to her regular glasses.

[blessed mommy]

These are all helpful replies! Thank you!

I take ds to a pediatric eye doc-and am sent home with a script for the lenses themselves-not the frame. So...you've answered my question, in that once I have the script from a ped. eye doc.,I can have the script filled anywhere.

Geez...this may be my once a year trip to "wally world" excuse!!

Again, thanks!

[tjjazzy]

i don't have a child with glasses but for myself, when i had a look at wal-mart's eyeglasses (we don't have target here), i didn't think there were enough choices at.all and i didn't think the quality was very good.

[gingerstar]

Again for myself, not a child, but I got a gorgeous pair of Calvin Klein eyeglasses at an independent, and the nosepiece snapped within a couple months. Luckily they were willing to call it defective and replace it, but they broke again within a couple years - and I usually wear contacts, these are just back up glasses! But I got a pair at Wally world (which I rarely shop) which was very sturdy but cute, and they lasted for many years.
I have no problem with going to Target - but our closest vision center is about 40 miles away. Otherwise I'd go there.

[mamalisa]

I get my glasses at Target or Costco, depending on what I find. Costco was much cheaper for glasses though. I get my eye exams at Target though, well I did until dh stopped working there. I'm not sure where I will go next.


This is totally off topic, but Costco has the cheapest prices on contacts anywhere and runs a coupon a few times a year.

[amcal]

I've read great things about Zenni Optical. It's an online place with super cheap frames and lenses. Everyone I've read about seem to have been very pleased. I just ordered 2 pairs - 1 pair of regular glasses and one pair of prescription sunglasses.
http://zennioptical.com/cart/home.php