Who wears glasses?

[ChisolmTrailDem]

I've been wearing prescription glasses for over three years and I'm still wearing the same ones since then. However, they are starting to show the wear from taking them off and putting them on, as well as wear on the lenses, which have often clashed with my girlfriend's glasses and have accumulated scratches as a result, along with perhaps a couple of times being dropped.

So, my question is will I be expected by my eye climic to come in for a new exam or can I just order another pair of glasses with the same prescription and features? I can still see fine with the prescription so I don't feel I should have to get another exam, unless I wanted contacts, which I don't.

I've never been in this situation, re: eye glasses, until now so don't know what to do or what to expect from my eye clinic. Also, I don't have vision insurance. So anything having to do with my vision I have to pay for out of pocket and I really don't want to pay for another exam when I can see perfectly well with my current prescription. I just want new lenses and frames.

Thanks in advance for your input .

[winter is coming]

1. Three years? You should get a new exam.

In fact, you will probably have to, unless you order your glasses online. Any prescription I've ever seen for glasses said something like "valid for 12 months".

[conservaphobe]

2. There are several websites, such as Coastal Contacts, Glasses USA, Zenni Optical...

They all sell prescription eyeglasses, some as cheap as $8... no confirmation from the eye doctor required as long as you know your prescription.

[diddlysquat]

3. You should be ok

You ought to be able to go into any place that provides glasses and place an order. If you do not have the prescription they can just copy the lenses you already have.

[WinkyDink]

4. Eye exams are for more than visual acuity. They detect diseases, cataracts, glaucoma, etc.:

http://www.allaboutvision.com/eye-exam/importance.htm

[Delmette]

8. I agree.

The older you get the more you need to have eye exams. My Mother has macular degineration. If she had earlier exams, ten or fifteen years ago, she may not be in the situation she is now.

[phylny]

12. I absolutely agree.

I'm 56 years old and my last eye exam showed I have glaucoma. I said, "I thought that was an old person thing" and she replied, "It's an 'I'm over 50' thing."

Get your eye exam, if you can afford it.

[littlemissmartypants]

22. Agreed. Your EYES.

New exam a must.

[JaneyVee]

5. You can just bring in your old glasses

They will scan them and easily figure out your prescription from the lenses. No need for another eye exam if that prescription seems fine.

Signed,
20/60 occasional eyeglass wearer.

[NYC_SKP]

6. Take your old prescription and shop it around. I found a dad/daughter who beat Lenscrafters prices

They did amber Rx lenses for a pair of RayBans for $60, Lenscrafters wanted $250!!!

If you don't have your prescription, try to get it (you paid for it) and take it around or call around.

Good luck!

[onehandle]

7. If you have your prescription, you can just order new lenses.

However they will warn you, that with each new lenses, your frames may break.

As another said, they can measure your prescription from your existing lenses.

That being said, you should find the cash for an exam.

[A Little Weird]

9. Online works for me

I bought a pair of glasses from eyebuydirect.com and have been really happy with them. I think I spent around $60 for them which included frames, lightweight lenses, and coatings. I'm thinking of getting another pair this year. One of my friends bought from another online company (I don't remember the name) and was happy with the results.

You just need to measure carefully - their website has a section that tells you what to measure. They also let you upload a picture of yourself and "virtually" try on the glasses. It's not as good as trying them on in person but it gives you an idea of what they would look like.

I just use single-vision lenses so it might be more of a challenge if you use bifocals.

I do think it's a good idea to go to the eye doctor every few years. They check you out for other problems.

[Old Codger]

10. get a new prescription

Or use old one go to Zenni optical on line and order what you want they are reasonably priced, prompt and have decent glasses.. been using them for years and no regrets at all....

[ChisolmTrailDem]

11. Thank you all for your responses so far. Very helpful! =) Please do keep

posting, though, any info that might help others.

I especially appreciate the comment above about how eye exams can be an early detector of disease.

Thanks again

[BainsBane]

13. they won't refill a 3 yr old

Perscription. Two yrs is the oldest.

[iwillalwayswonderwhy]

14. vision changes can be unnoticed

My prescription changes. I never notice that my vision has degraded because it is so gradual. However, I surely notice the difference when I put on the new prescription. Everything is noticeably sharper and I stop getting "tired eyes" and mild headaches in the afternoon. Which I didn't even realize I was experiencing until I wasn't experiencing it anymore.

I go every two years. I should probably get an exam every year now that I am over 50.

[Cartoonist]

15. A handy hint

You mention scratches on the lens. On your next pair, do not use tissues or napkins. These are wood based paper products that will scratch modern plastic lenses.

[hfojvt]

16. I always get glass lenses

it doesn't cost any extra and they tell me it is more scratch resistant.

[Cartoonist]

17. Why?

Glass breaks easy. So does an eye if it gets a shard in it.

[KT2000]

18. if you live in Washington

by law you have to get an exam after two years for new glasses. My neighbor was required to go through the exam even though she had dementia and could not even do. The clinic refused to use her old prescription after her glasses were stolen in the nursing home. That is what happens when lobbyists write our laws for us.

[Hekate]

19. Get another exam to rule out things like glaucoma, okay? Also, I recommend...

... spending the extra money for scratch-resistant lenses. Teach yourself to remove them correctly (use both hands, one on each side, and pull forward) as well. These two things will extend the life of your next pair of glasses.

I've been wearing glasses since I was about 9 years old, as crappy eyesight runs in my family. Take care of your vision -- you only get two eyes.

Cheers.

[ohheckyeah]

20. I've been wearing glasses for years and just

recently went for an eye exam because I couldn't see the computer well with or without my glasses. Turns out my eyes have gotten better. I bought glasses with a prescription for distance and glasses just for the computer. The smartest thing I ever did when it came to glasses was buy Nikon lenses. They are freakin' amazing. The difference is like the difference between analog and HD television. They aren't cheap but man can I see great now.

I had to buy kids frames because my face is small so I got the frames for $8.00 each. LOL

[tammywammy]

21. If it's been three years, get an exam.

My eyesight is too bad to use the online sites, but if you get your prescription people seem happy with them.

Btw, I get an annual exam especially to check my retina for holes or tears. I get new frames every two years. That way I have a backup pair on hand.