So my daughter, who is currently 6, requires eye glasses. I've been to a few places and prices/service seems to vary quite a bit and few questions have come up:
Plastic Frames vs Metal Frames - Plastic frames seem to be more expensive, are they worth the cost? I could get two metal frames for the price of one plastic frame.
Anti-reflection - is it worth the cost?
Can anyone recommend a store with decent prices? I am about the re enter the world of self employment and don't have extended benefits set up as of yet.
Costco usually has pretty good prices for B&M stores. Online you can get a lot cheaper and with a 6 year old that might be worth doing as she's not going to be super picky about style.
My wife's used Clearly Contacts and she likes them.
Are the plastic ones that you were looking at the flexible type which resist breaking? If yes, they are worth the extra cost because they won't break or get bent out of shape like metal frames will.
Are the plastic ones that you were looking at the flexible type which resist breaking? If yes, they are worth the extra cost because they won't break or get bent out of shape like metal frames will.
I'm not sure if they were the flexible ones. They were a pair of Ray Bands.
Plastic Frames vs Metal Frames - Plastic frames seem to be more expensive, are they worth the cost? I could get two metal frames for the price of one plastic frame.
Anti-reflection - is it worth the cost?
Can anyone recommend a store with decent prices? I am about the re enter the world of self employment and don't have extended benefits set up as of yet.
I've worn glasses since I was 5 years old.
In my experience, I've found plastic frames are easily worth the cost over metal ones I've never broken a pair of plastic frames. I broke a number of metal ones as well as bent them horribly. The hard plastic frames are far more durable, especially for children. They also come in alot of colours and shapes which if your daughter is hesitant about glasses, might help with finding a pair she likes and will want to wear.
Anti-reflection doesn't do much. I've had glasses with them, glasses with out. Cannot tell a difference. The last couple times I've gotten the anti-reflection, anytime I got a smudge on my glasses, it gave off a pink hue and was difficult to clean. The film seemed to do nothing more then smudge my glasses more easily. They really only recommended the anti-reflective coating to me for computer work or driving at night, no other reasons were given. If your daughter isn't doing much of either, it might not be beneficial. It's also supposedly less beneficial to lower index lenses then higher ones. Again, I don't really see a difference but I'm also a high and complicated astigmatism prescription.
Costco is the best place I've gotten glasses. Great price (my lenses usually cost me $500 anywhere else. Costco gave me lenses and frames for $250 and I've had zero issues or complaints with them). Walmart was good too but they only have polycarbonate lenses which are great for non-shattering, but there is a small population of people who cannot wear them. They call it an "allergy" to the polycarbonate (or so says my optometrist) and some people just can't see properly through them. I didn't initially have issues with the glasses but as my prescription changed, the polycarbonate "allergy" kicked in and couldn't get them from Walmart anymore. Clearly Contacts screwed up my lenses twice, my optometrist office was expensive and got my lenses wrong a few times too (which they later tested them, said they were wrong and asked where I got them and tried to lecture me about buying cheaper glasses elsewhere. I had them pull up the receipt to show I bought them there), Lenscrafters once gave me lenses that had plastic shards in the frames still and thankfully I caught it before I wore them. Will never buy from there again.
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If the child is 6, probably go with the cheapest ones she will accept. She will probably outgrow them quickly anyways. Pay a little extra to get something that doesn't make her look silly, but we're talking an extra maybe $50, not double in price.
Honestly, if you can go lower and the child doesn't mind, why not? There are rare occasions where you must go to higher end frames since the lenses will not bode well on the cheaper frames (thickness or type etc.), but that's like legally blind range usually which I doubt affects your daughter all that much.
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This. Took my 5 year old there 3 months ago and am wearing my brand new glasses I got last week. I think mine cost around $250 all in? But luckily the frames I liked the best were pretty cheap.
Look on groupon. They usually have glasses deals where you pay $20 and get $200 in value. I have done it multiple times and its always been really good.
I took my daughter who is 6 to Mission. A friend's wife is an optometrist there. Benefits covered the appointment and glasses for the most part so I was out of pocket 20 bucks. They helped her pick out her own frames without her parents over her shoulder, which are very cute, had a nice gift bag, and created a great experience for her, 1 year unconditional warranty on the glasses, and offered free cloths and refills on cleaner whenever her cloth is dirty or cleaner runs out. They just want to make sure she is treating them right, wearing them, and enjoying the pleasure of clearer vision.
I know that I initially went there due to a personal connection but even if that was not the case, in hindsight, would recommend them to anyone without reservation
Last edited by DeluxeMoustache; 11-05-2014 at 12:24 AM.
So my daughter, who is currently 6, requires eye glasses
I she entering kindergarten?
Quote:
Through a program called Eye See…Eye Learn, the Alberta Association of Optometrists (AAO) also provides kindergarten students with a free pair of glasses if needed
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In my experience, I've found plastic frames are easily worth the cost over metal ones I've never broken a pair of plastic frames. I broke a number of metal ones as well as bent them horribly. The hard plastic frames are far more durable, especially for children. They also come in alot of colours and shapes which if your daughter is hesitant about glasses, might help with finding a pair she likes and will want to wear.
Anti-reflection doesn't do much. I've had glasses with them, glasses with out. Cannot tell a difference. The last couple times I've gotten the anti-reflection, anytime I got a smudge on my glasses, it gave off a pink hue and was difficult to clean. The film seemed to do nothing more then smudge my glasses more easily. They really only recommended the anti-reflective coating to me for computer work or driving at night, no other reasons were given. If your daughter isn't doing much of either, it might not be beneficial. It's also supposedly less beneficial to lower index lenses then higher ones. Again, I don't really see a difference but I'm also a high and complicated astigmatism prescription.
Costco is the best place I've gotten glasses. Great price (my lenses usually cost me $500 anywhere else. Costco gave me lenses and frames for $250 and I've had zero issues or complaints with them). Walmart was good too but they only have polycarbonate lenses which are great for non-shattering, but there is a small population of people who cannot wear them. They call it an "allergy" to the polycarbonate (or so says my optometrist) and some people just can't see properly through them. I didn't initially have issues with the glasses but as my prescription changed, the polycarbonate "allergy" kicked in and couldn't get them from Walmart anymore. Clearly Contacts screwed up my lenses twice, my optometrist office was expensive and got my lenses wrong a few times too (which they later tested them, said they were wrong and asked where I got them and tried to lecture me about buying cheaper glasses elsewhere. I had them pull up the receipt to show I bought them there), Lenscrafters once gave me lenses that had plastic shards in the frames still and thankfully I caught it before I wore them. Will never buy from there again.
I think this is bang-on, especially for a 6 year old. The only thing with plastic frames, is sometimes they slide down the nose because the nose bridge is not adjustable. Mostly an issue for sports, which probably isn't a big deal for your tyke.
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1) a young child really needs to make sure they have a proper prescription in place. A good percentage (44%) of online purchases are off in some manor. The Eye See Eye Learn program is great for Kindergarten aged kids. A free pair is provided. Even after this point most offices have kid package frames that are priced very well that also carry warranty's.
2) Polycarbonate allergies are extremely rare and almost non existent with lenses (no direct contact). They are preferred in kids because they are impact resistant. Once they get of age to take better care of their glasses / wear contacts moving to a regular plastic material is recommended due to better optics.
3) AR coating is completely optional in young kids but is highly recommended once kids start spending longer hours on a computer. AR coating is great for computer use and night driving.
4) do not be afraid to get second opinions about your child's eyes.
5) with plastic or metal frames base the decision around fit. A proper fitting pair is key to ensure the child actually wears them. Also involve the kids in the decision and they are more likely to use them.
Eye Glasses
