Glasses...What's the story?

I had to get prescription specs the other day....so that I can see things
(tv, other cars, the ground, etc etc):rolleyes:
The eye tests and standard specs are covered under my medical fund, which is good,
But the mark up on frames and plastic lenses is outrageous:oo: :((
In a previous life I used to be a patternmaker, so I've got a fair idea of the manufacturing process and costs.
Trust me folks, standard , good quality presription specs should cost about the same as a decent toothbrush.
(there's more hardware and more complex injection moulding in some disposable razors.)
Anyways, rant over.

I agree Underfoot....its a blatent rip off....I just had to replace mine and $405 later .......I claimed mine on my household insurance as I sat on em.....had to pay $100 excess so that helped.....AL

Spot on. You can buy cheap magnifying spectacles and sunglasses in chemists but as soon as you get in an opticians the price for much the same quality goes through the roof.
cheers,
Jim

As with cameras, you do want quality lenses and it's v. desirable for woodies to have hard and anti-reflective coatings.

Within those criteria there's still a lot of variation and it pays to shop around.

When traveling overseas it pays to look at the opticians there. On a recent visit to Penang we picked up a couple of very good quality frames with dedicated clip on sun glasses for the princely sum of $50. Equivalent frames here are just under $400:o

And we claimed them on our health insurance, which has a maximum pay-out of $75, so they cost us nothing!

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Originally Posted by rsser

As with cameras, you do want quality lenses and it's v. desirable for woodies to have hard and anti-reflective coatings.

Within those criteria there's still a lot of variation and it pays to shop around.

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I agree. It's the frames that i think are overpriced. As an aside, you're meant to try them on without lenses and decide what they look like. If you're like me you can't see the mirror, let alone your reflection.:D
Cheers,
Jim

Undie, I too, couldn't believe the prices of frames when I was trying to find a set of decent frames for myself on Thursday. So I cheated and had them reuse the frames from my old set of glasses:) Medical insurance paid for all of it bar the $25 fee to reuse my frames.

Shop around for starters one major long term optical co is so far out in front price wise they can be 3 times the price of little operations.

Frames by a cheap pair of sunnies and tell them to make the glass to suit :;

The was an article on ACA a few months back, showing how frames purchased for $5(China) are being resold at $179.

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Originally Posted by rsser

As with cameras, you do want quality lenses and it's v. desirable for woodies to have hard and anti-reflective coatings.
Within those criteria there's still a lot of variation and it pays to shop around.

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Agreed rsser, however, efficient, modern manufacturing process and economies of scale mean that optical quality (water clear) coated polycarbonate lenses should cost no more than 50 cents to produce.
and I reckon plastic frames with good quality hinges should be less than a dollar.

The current online Choice mag has an article on this issue.

FWIW my son scans and sends his prescription to an online UK supplier and gets lenses and frames for SFA; can't recall exactly but something like $30.

Last time I changed my reading glasses the frames were fine and the new lenses and coatings cost $40 from a discount shop.

Here's the critical test which I'll edit shortly cos of copyright:

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Optical tolerance test Are the lenses made according to the prescription? One lens each from [Store A] and [Store B] only rated a borderline pass for this test. To correct the refractive error for our shadow shopper, the left lens should have had a refractive power of -1.50D on one of the meridians, but the left lenses of the [Store A] and [Store B] pairs had refractive powers of -1.58D and -1.57D respectively. A variation of up to -1.59D is allowed to pass the test, however the instrument used in testing has an uncertainty of measurement of +/-0.03D. If 0.03 is added to the results, the lenses fail the test; if deducted, they are well within tolerance.
If the refractive power is wrong, this can cause blurriness, headaches or difficulty adapting to the new spectacles. In the case of the two lenses above, the variation is likely to be too small to cause problems, so we rated these lenses as being of acceptable quality.

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Originally Posted by chrisb691

The was an article on ACA a few months back, showing how frames purchased for $5(China) are being resold at $179.

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No wonder the opticians don't like re-using frames.

Yeah, I'm sure they make their big bikkies on the frames. Some are from fashion houses like Prada and license fees are high too.

The Choice article reckons the most common frames are stainless btw.

The article also makes the point that there's a price war now and the most basic spec offer (single vision) ranges from $45 (Optical Superstore) to $59 (OPSM). Their shadow shopper found $125 to $249. And if you add in anti-reflective coatings, multi-vision or high-index lenses then you can easily clock over $400.

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Originally Posted by rsser

Yeah, I'm sure they make their big bikkies on the frames. Some are from fashion houses like Prada and license fees are high too.

The Choice article reckons the most common frames are stainless btw.

The article also makes the point that there's a price war now and the most basic spec offer (single vision) ranges from $45 (Optical Superstore) to $59 (OPSM). Their shadow shopper found $125 to $249. And if you add in anti-reflective coatings, multi-vision or high-index lenses then you can easily clock over $400.

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It's a bugger. I need new ones soon and I have to have two pairs - one for general and one for reading as I can't come to terms with bi and multi focals.
Cheers,
Jim

What about a laser slash?
:oo:

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Originally Posted by rsser

What about a laser slash?
:oo:

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Wrong sort of defect it seems Ern. Remember when the Russians were doing it with razor blades?
Cheers,
Jim

Friends of mine own an independent optometry store. While their prices are lower than some of the big chains, the glasses do seem to be expensive when you think about them as a few pieces of plastic.

On the other hand, they have wages, rent and other expenses to cover. They also have technically qualified staff available every day, and carry a large range of stock.

All that has to be paid for somehow. They could charge $20 for a frame, and then put a service fee of $250 on the bill, but most people would baulk at that.

Comparing the cost of a pair of glasses to the cost of the raw materials used to make it is akin to saying a timber chest of drawers should be equivalent in price to the few bits of wood used to make it.

My friends work 6 days/week, and they're not wealthy.

Just my 2 cents' worth.

ajw

Perhaps the mark up occurs at the wholesale and or manufacturing level, rather than the retail level.

There has to be a reason why you can buy frames etc so much cheaper in Europe and Asia than you can in Australia?

My example of the frames purchased in Penang, the store I bought them from was in a big multi-level shopping complex, they had optometrists and optical technicians on site, so their overheads would also have been at a reasonably high level.

Not too many optical outlets in Australia have optical technicians on site any anymore, most of the work goes to a central facility.

As all the lens shaping etc is done on computer controlled machines these days it doesn't take very long to shape a lens to the frame and fit it, so $250 service fees are a little unrealistic.

Optometry testing is covered under Medicare, so largely price regulated anyway.

I get new glasses every 2 years or so. All covered by medical insurance - nearly. The cheapest frames add an extra $70 or so over what the fund will pay.
I always go for the cheapest frames they have on the basis that having a manufacturers or designers name on the frames isn't going to improve my eyesight no matter what the sales person may imply.
I might have to start getting them to reuse my old frames and see what sort of looks I get.

Hi to All Spec Wearers,
I'm told I should have had Glasses at about 4 -5 yrs old. Yeah, bypassed everybody until I was 19 yrs.
And you tell me, how did I get my Driving License, ???.

Well I use Multi Focal Lens with the, " go into the light & they go dark " (can't think of the correct term).
Must admit, they are Brilliant ?

My cost is about $695, for Frame & Lens, with a bit of a cut by Medicare, but not much.
Wings on the new Frame were not much good, so the 13yr. old Wings were put back into service, those sideways springy ones, as they don't have those anymore. Why, because they were to good.
They didn't get any Breakages, that had to be replaced.

Anyway all things being equal, I couldn't see without them & that would mean no Turning, & that would not do.
Regards,
issatree.
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Glasses are bad enough, but I only have one eye. Lost the left when I was6. Yes, I know that was careless of me. :doh:

BUT when I suggested to an opthalmologist that I only be chargesd half price for an examination and prescrption he errupted. As it turned out he wrote the bloody prescription out wrongly and made it too strong!:~:~:~

Then the shyster at the local OPSM store tried desperately to convince me to have both lenses made to the same prescription!!:oo::oo: The list of excuse - sorry, reasons - he trotted out was laughable. After a serve from me he capitulated, although not happily.

Makes you wonder about the whole business.

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Originally Posted by artme

Glasses are bad enough, but I only have one eye. Lost the left when I was6. Yes, I know that was careless of me. :doh:

BUT when I suggested to an opthalmologist that I only be chargesd half price for an examination and prescrptio he errupted. As it turned out he wrote the bloody prescription out wrongly and made it too strong!:~:~:~

Then the shyster at the local OPSM store tried desperately to convince me to have both lenses made to the same prescription!!:oo::oo: The list of excuse - sorry, reasons - he trotted out was laughable. After a serve from me he capitulated, although not happily.

Makes you wonder about the whole business.

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Have you ever considered using a monocle or vignette?

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Originally Posted by snowyskiesau

II might have to start getting them to reuse my old frames and see what sort of looks I get.

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I do every time , until they cannot be repaired anymore.

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Originally Posted by Woodwould

Have you ever considered using a monocle or vignette?

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I have. Just not quite that eccentric.

There are advantages to my problem. I don't need binoculars, just a telescope, I don't have close one eye when sighting things. And I can truly be said to have a one eyed view of issues.

Gee Arthur, talk about insult to injury.

So did your 'serve' involve unfurling the jolly roger ? ;-}

I have a problem with the cheap specs - my prescription is too weak to find a pair at a chemist. But I've bought a couple of pairs of 1.00's to keep as emergency spares anyway. And the other problem I have is that I'm hard on the frames - I keep breaking the damn things. My Dad put me on to a brand of frames that is reasonably priced and yet very tough. They're called "Paparazzi", I got them from the Optometrist near where Dad lives last time I was visiting, and I'm going to get another pair next time I'm there. They are metal frames, with spring arms so they don't snap off if you over-extend them, and they come in a range of basic shapes with different coloured finishes to the metal (like bronze, chrome, brushed, gold, etc). I've been really happy with them.

My medical fund covers most of the cost of one pair every year, with an allowance for the frames and an allowance for the lenses. I've bought two pairs in the last 3 years, for a cost out of my pocket of about $25. Not including the monthly cost of the health fund of course... :wink:

And I've started to advise all my kids to become Optometrists. Ever seen a poor one? Good solid work, always a market (even with the laser surgery), own your own business, and only a 4 year degree (compared with 6+ for medical degree). And they get to help people. Ever seen a poor one?

I got my first pair of multi-focals a couple of years ago. Cost around $650 and they are no better than my old single vision specs. 6 months later my 2 yr old broke the frames. Optician said sorry we don't stock those frames any more, you'll have to get new lenses as well. Not bloody likely. I made them mould some plastic frames to fit but the lenses fall out if I'm too rough with them.
Not happy Jan!
:(

I have had the same frames for over nine years now. I have had the lenses changed twice in that period. The last time I only had one lens changed because I had a cataract removed on that eye but the other eye had not altered. The optometrist I go to and have been going to him for over twenty years never complains about using the same frames.

One time because I wear multi-focals he got the position of the lenses wrong in the frames he just replaced them without a murmur.

He does the same for my wife although he goes crook at her because she had damaged her frames from hanging them around her neck on a cord when she leans against something when she hasn't got them on her eyes.

I look after my glasses. They are always on my face or when I go to bed they are the last thing I take off and then they lay on the dressing table and they are the first thing I put on in the morning.

My biggest expense is I visit the ophthalmologist every six months because of diabetes and glaucoma to make sure nothing has got worse although I will need to have the other cataract done shortly.

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Originally Posted by rsser

Gee Arthur, talk about insult to injury.

So did your 'serve' involve unfurling the jolly roger ? ;-}

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No Ern. I just let my parrot have his say!!:D:D:D

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Originally Posted by Barry_White

I look after my glasses. They are always on my face or when I go to bed they are the last thing I take off and then they lay on the dressing table and they are the first thing I put on in the morning.

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My problem is that I only need glasses for reading or computer work (or close detailed work). So I put them on and take them off all the time, and whenever I put them down somewhere they are in danger of being bumped or sat on or whatever. Inevitably I damage them. I have one pair of titanium frames that were pretty expensive but lasted me a very long time and are still good except that I can't get one of the screws out. I've tried my local optometrist and they can't get it out either, to change the lenses. I will take it to the bloke near Mum and Dad's place next time I go up there and see if he can do it, because they are a great frame and with new lenses they'd probably last another 10 years.

Obviously you need Reducteur:D

I've been wearing glasses since my teens. Just a couple of years now, really...

I too became fed up with the prices of glasses and how bloody fragile they are. I decided I wanted to go old school so I bought a pair of Ronsir Zyl glasses frames from the US (see here Optometrist Attic: Vintage Eyeglasses, Antique Eyeglass Frames). US$75 plus postage. I also bought the matching clip ons. Exact same item here (frames alone) is $400 AUD and would have to be ordered in from the US as they don't stock them!

These are still made the same way they were made in the 1950's. Rugged!

RayBan sell something similar in a sunglass frame that is nowhere near as nice (let alone as well made) for nearly $300. They are quite commonly seen.

Anyway, if these are not to your taste (though I get many favourable comments on them) there are many online retailers in the US that will ship here. The frames are the easy bit. I had my prescription filled here.

The downside is that your health insurance company will not reimburse you for the frame cost. However, I more than made up the loss and the biggest expense is the multi-focal lenses. You really need to spend the money there anyway as there is a huge quality difference between the cheaper and more expensive multi-focal lenses.

Thanks for the link to Optometrist Attic. I just bought a pair of frames and if they work out allright, I'll definitely order more. I've previously ordered frames from optical4less, also in the US.