I've worked for a couple optical dispenseries a few years ago, but only one in Calgary so I can't really name any good places. But here are some things to keep in mind:
A) "Scratch coating" does not exist. What you're buying into is more or less a warranty against scratching, so they will replace the lenses if they scratch. They would never tell you this, although I told customers this all the time. I'm really not a good salesperson...
B) Anti-glare actually does exist and if you work by a computer all day it will probably benefit you. HOWEVER once you start buying the anti-glare you are going to have to do it for the rest of your life. It's like you won't know what you're missing if you don't buy it, but if you have it and you stop buying it you will notice. If your work covers it, get it, but make sure you know what your work covers and what it doesn't. Sometimes people would come back in and complain that their plan didn't cover it all, so be careful.
C) Transition lenses (the ones that change into sunglasses in the sun) are good and bad. First of all sunglasses are very important and this way you can have your glasses and sunglasses in one rather than two seperate pairs. HOWEVER these can lead to light sensitivity, plus as your glasses age the time it takes for the lenses to go clear to tinted or the reverse takes longer, which can be a pain. On top of that transition lenses are pretty expensive and a lot of work plans do not cover it. My suggestion would be clip-on sunglasses, which can be made for any frame or there are also some frames you can choose that are made specifically with clip-ons (which would be covered by a work plan since the clip-on comes with the frames). Or at a 2 for 1 place get one pair tinted into a sunglass.
D) Paying more does not necessarily mean that you will recieve a superior product. Optometrist offices charge the most basically because of convienence after an eye exam or the glasses are covered so price does not matter or because people think they are getting better glasses than from an optical shoppe. But most of the time, if not all of the time, there is not a lab in the actual doctor's office and the lens cutting is contracted out to labs - usually owned by optical dispenseries. This is why you can get your glasses relatively fast (sometimes within the hour) at some places, but usually not from your doctor's office. For the most part the lenses are pretty generic from one place to the next.
E)As for frames, SHOP AROUND! I can not stress this enough. Look at as many places as you possibly can to find the pair that you like. Remember: you have to wear these things on your face! Write down the frame numbers, frame company and color. Chances are wherever you go they will be able to order these in, the exception: places like wal-mart that only deal with specific companies. When you're buying a frame, you will pay more for the name than quality, a less expensive pair will last just as long as a Guicci pair. As for what type of frame would be best, it really differs from person to person. However some good rules of thumb is if you want a pair of glasses that you want people to notice, go with something trendy like plastic frames, but if you want a pair that doesn't take attention away from other parts of your face go with a metal frame or there are even frames that the side arms are drilled into the lenses, there is a bar across the nose and there are no frames around the actual lenses - these are really lightweight and your glasses won't be something people automatically notice. If you have a pretty thick lens go with a thicker frame, made from plastic, it will hide some of the thickness, however the problem with plastic frames is there is no nose pad and they usually slide down pretty easily.
F) I would go to a place that is near your home or work. If something happens and you need to get them fixed, it will be easier to take them. You don't want to go driving across the city, without glasses, because you saved five bucks on the original purchase. And when you are looking for your frames, try not to bring anyone along until you've at least narrowed it down. Bringing someone frames shopping is a form of torture in some countries and chances are they will just get bored and start telling you nothing looks good or tell you an ugly frame looks good just so you can leave, I've seen it so many times. Asking someone repeatedly "how does this one look?" ends more relationships than cheating.
G) And following fotze's advice, DO NOT GET EZRA LEVANT FRAMES!
Hope that helps!
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