Recently (within the last few years) I needed to start wearing glasses. I used to work with a lady who would say that you knew you needed glasses when your arms weren’t long enough. I thought that was funny until I found myself thinking exactly that one day when I was reading. ~ It was time! So off I went to my eye doctor. And because insurance and care providers change annually it seems, I have had the opportunity to go to a few different optometrists. From the mom-and-pop single practices to the medium franchisees, to the big everything-you-need-under-one-roof-including-eyes-and-medications providers, here’s what I’ve noticed.
1. The profit seems to be in the selling of the frames and how many extras you can tack on to your prescription lenses. Most insurance companies will cover your prescription and offer a discount on the frames. You still end up having to pay upwards of $150 whichever way you swing it.
2. The people selling the glasses seem to be most focused on the first one. How the frames look over how they fit or feel. This is a huge selling point, especially to women like me, who have never worn glasses before and do not know which frame would work best. We are more concerned with which frame looks best.
This is unfortunate, as a first-time glasses wearer, I had no clue about things like frame size and weight, or whether or not I needed the nose grippy things because my eyelashes are too long for the molded plastic nose rests which make my eyes lashes poke back into my eyes, which in turn makes me push my glasses further down my face, which in turn makes me squint, which leads to eye strain, which makes me take my glasses off.
Seeing as I had paid almost $400 out of pocket for that pair, I took them back (because you can do that). Or that a pair of frames can actually just be too large for your face, leading to continually having to push them up and feeling like you have to keep your chin up so they didn’t slide off your face, I took those back twice to see if they could be adjusted, until the third time I had a different person and she pointed out that the frames were too big for my face which was why that kept happening. She helped me select a pair that worked so much better and did all the paperwork to switch them out for me. She was the first person that told me about things like face and nose bridge size and explained what different features on the frames really did for a person – besides just looking good obviously. I was impressed, however, the following year my insurance provider trimmed down their service providers and that practice was no longer in my network. I contemplated just paying out of pocket to remain a client/patient but realized I really needed that free annual eye exam and lenses and measly frame discount more than I liked that optometrist’s office, so I found another provider and after the annual eye exam, needed a slightly stronger prescription so went through the whole process again. This new “showroom” at this new eye doctor;’s office is huge to the point of overwhelming, and after taking so long to choose a new pair of frames that I was even making myself anxious, I finally chose one that had all the features I thought I needed, however, the frames ended up being so heavy that after wearing the glasses for an hour or so, I would have a headache. So, after going back to the office three times to have them adjusted, back they went as well. The struggle is real people.
Here’s what I wish someone had told me in the beginning, I’m sharing it in the hopes that this info may save someone a bit of time of energy in their glasses journey:
+I recommend finding a pair of frames based on fit and function first, and how they look second. This is a tough one, because we all shop for how they look, after all, they are so visible right there on your face. But keeping fit at the forefront of your mind when deciding really saves a bunch of hassle later.
+Metal frames are generally heavier than plastic frames. You need to decide if you want lighter feeling frames (barely feeling like they are there) or if you like the feeling of something more substantial on your face. You can still get very lightweight metal frames as well. My point is, that you need to decide if you want lighter or heavier frames.
+When you try on frames, shake your head and nod vigorously, are the frames still on? Good. Do they jiggle around or slip down your face? Bad.
+If you have a pair of frames, you absolutely love, (even sunglass frames) you can have the optometrist put your prescription lenses into those frames. You do not have to buy a new pair of frames every time your prescription changes.
+If you are not satisfied with the selection of frames on offer from your eye doctor’s office, you can request a copy of your prescription and shop somewhere else. (True story!)
+Don’t feel rushed or pressured into deciding, if you can’t find a pair of frames you like today, you can come back tomorrow. Even though they would like you to decide right away, you do not have to.
+If you have questions, ask them! If you don’t know, you don’t know! It is their job to educate you, not just sell you.
+There is generally a 30-day trial period that you can return the glasses in if they do not work for you. Most offices do not tell you this, so ask.
+If, after you get home and find your new glasses need adjusting, take them back to the office, adjustments are free. It’s part of the service.
These are the things I’ve discovered in my glasses adventure, and I wish someone had told me. If I’ve left one (or two) out let me know. Maybe we can change the world, one satisfied new glasses wearer at a time. Maybe we’ll just change their world.
Still worth it.
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