Glasses

[Jyotsna]

My only pair of glasses broke today right down the middle. I tried to tape them and it didn't work. I can't see without my glasses. I can' drive without them.

I don't think I have the money for them. Can you tell me how I could possibly get some low cost glasses as soon as possible? I really need an extra pair for just this reason.

[zebra15]

First take them in and see if they can be repaired. (probably not but its worth a try)
Try Walmart for glasses. I was in Target and they have some 'back to school' special going on - not sure how long tho'

I just got my DS glasses this week, and AFTER insurance I had to pay $200.00, the total was $460.00 and his rx isnt that strong. (needless to say I dont recomment Nationwide vision, but we were stuck there because thats the only place his insurance is good at)

[EmsMom]

I generally order from 39 dollar glasses.com. Other people use Zenni's. Zenni's is cheaper I think. Both are on-line sales. I have been quite happy with them. They will take a couple of weeks to get them to you though. Is it possible to replace just the frame on your current glasses? If you take them back to where you got them, they might be able to do that easily and then you can order a second pair on-line. Super glue or some kind of plastic epox may also help until you get the replacement.

[luvmybaby333]

I takes about 3 weeks to get them, but I loved the ones I got from Zenni Optical (online.) They were insanely cheap and work great. Granted, they were my first pairs... but I imagine that I'd notice if they didn't work. If you can hold out for 3 weeks, then I'd suggest giving them a try. The savings was worth it to me.

[junipervt]

my DH just needed an eye exam & new lenses for his glasses. I called a ton of places & Walmart was by far the cheapest. he got an exam & plastic single vision lenses for a little over $100. I think the lenses were only about $35, so if you found cheap frames that wouldn't be too bad. They had to special order the lenses & it still took less than a week.

fwiw I'm usually not a Walmart person, but when you don't have insurance you just gotta do what you gotta do.

[boatrat]

I highly recommend Costco if you or a friend has a membership. I got designer frames and specialty reduced thickness lenses there for about 175. They said two weeks, but it was only one week's wait. Hth

[DisplacedYooper]

Originally Posted by boatrat

I highly recommend Costco if you or a friend has a membership. I got designer frames and specialty reduced thickness lenses there for about 175. They said two weeks, but it was only one week's wait. Hth

Do you need a new prescription, or just new glasses? As far as I know, you don't need to be a costco member in order to use their optical services - DH and I just had exams at one in Michigan this summer. Members do get a discount on the glasses, I think.

[EFmom]

I've ordered from Zenni a couple of times and have been thrilled with the glasses. I just got dd a pair of prescription sunglasses for about $20!

[provocativa]

are the broken glasses plastic or wire? i don't wear glasses, but I'm crafty. gorilla tape can hold anything together much better than regular tape, but it's expensive so you have to hide it or the kids use it like cheap duct tape. gorilla glue also can hold anything together, but it tends to expand and get goopy. If your glasses are thin over the nose bridge, then you will need to use some narrow support or shim behind the broken section, and glue the shim to the back of both sides as you glue the sides together. does that make sense? and the glue will need to dry overnight. depending on what your glasses are made of, you might want to look up which glue would be best- epoxy resins are different than polyacrylates (super glue) and the answer is in the net cloud, go look for it.

[sunnysandiegan]

I almost had the same challenge! I feel for you!!!!

I have one pair of very expensive glasses from the eye doctor that are 7-8 years old....my only pair of glasses and I, too, cannot see without them. I used to wear contacts and used the glasses as back up, so I never thought about a second pair of glasses. For the last two years, though, I cannot wear contacts without major pain. I went to the Costco eye doctor last year and she explained the issue with my eyes and we threw out the contacts. I am unlikely to be able to wear any contacts again.

Fast forward to earlier this year.... I was with a friend and my glasses popped apart for no apparent reason. My friend fixed them, so I forgot about it. Earlier this month, I was out with my DD and another family. My glasses popped apart again. This time I didn't have anyone with me who knew how to fix them. We were at lunch in a mall and the restaurant staff helped me the best they could. After lunch, my friend literally walked me down to Lenscrafters (holding my arm) and took the kids to play. I handed all the pieces of my glasses to the first person who asked how he could help. He was kind and fixed them for me and cleaned them, even (no charge).

I came home and started looking online for new glasses! I ordered from Zenni Optical. I ordered three pairs and my total was $108.55. One pair is prescription sunglasses ($8 frame & free lenses + $5 tint). One pair is for everyday ($10 frame + high index lens + antireflective coating) and the last pair is an extra pair and/or for long days (I picked the lightest weight $8 frame I could find and they are smaller than the everyday pair + high index lens + A/R coating).

They haven't arrived, yet, but I am not expecting them until September. I hope they arrive sooner, of course!

I would do something similar in your case, too. Temporary fix now and order new glasses online ASAP. Lenscrafters helped me and I didn't buy my glasses there. Although it was humorous and everyone was coming over to see, I didn't get the idea this was uncommon. If your glasses are newer, perhaps going back to the place where you got them would yield something useful?

Otherwise, I would do as provocativa suggests (crafty solution) and then order online ASAP.

Best wishes!

[VisionaryMom]

Lions Club provides glasses to people through Lens Crafters. See if you have a local club with a program.

[~Boudicca~]

I love love love zennioptical.com too. The pair I'm wearing right now cost $23 total, frames and lenses.

[chiefmir]

Walmart can't be beat IMO. I get DD's glasses there, and paid $39 per pair, including frames (9$) and polycarbonate lenses. By far the best part is that they frames were covered for a year (we had each pair replaced 3x- she was 4 at the time and just learning how to care for glasses) adn the lenses replaced once! Also adjusted numerous times. Took less than a week from order to pick up.

[carfreemama]

I looked up Zenni Optical after another of these threads on MDC. Unfortunately, they don't do prisms; which I need, because I have double vision. I really wish I could use them!

I ended up going with Sears when they had a sale. I'm in Canada, though. It was still really expensive, but I guess it's because of my prescription.

One odd thing I found. I actually had a pair of frames I loved and it turned out to be way more expensive to just get new lenses than new lenses plus frames. So now I have my favourites frames, waiting until I can just send them in for new lenses.

I hope you get new glasses soon!

[cyncyn]

Originally Posted by carfreemama

I looked up Zenni Optical after another of these threads on MDC. Unfortunately, they don't do prisms; which I need, because I have double vision. I really wish I could use them!

Me too! Darn it. Maybe dh can use them. I can't believe the prices - we usually have to pay hundreds even with insurance.