Since the green rating on the thread is often more of an initial vote on the deal itself, I'd like to suggest a poll on the quality of the glasses (and customer service) once you've received your order and used them awhile. Simply return here, edit this message and add 1 to the positive or negative row to place your vote.
Based on your experience, would you order from Zenni Optical again?
Yes: 101
No: 12
There are also companies on the web that sell name brand designer frames and lenses like EyeGlasses.com, EyeGlasses123.com, FramesDirect.com, etc. One newspaper article that i read about FramesDirect.com, said that this company stocked over a 100,000 different frames. This explains how each brick-and-mortar optical retailer in your town can have a different frame selection than the other with little overlap.
And due to high demand, new mail order eyeglass retailers appear on the internet regularly. This is good in the sense that it keeps the prices low due to intense competition. But it can be bad because sometimes a small retailer that you've ordered from in the past may no longer be in business because they were forced to close up shop due to insufficient sales volume to be profitable. It should be noted that there are "affiliate programs" available in the internet eyeglass world too, and some of the new internet eyeglass shops that you'll find are really just another existing retailer in disguise.
Do be aware that some professional optometry shop employees feel their business model is being threatened by discount internet eyeglass websites and will become unfriendly if they suspect you have bought eyeglass stuff online. So if you purchase your frames online and want to have bifocal lenses cut/installed locally, you might have to hunt around a little bit to find a shop that is willing to install lenses into a new frame you bought on the internet.
Did you know that you have a legal right to obtain your eyeglass prescription from your eyecare professional? That's right. Request your prescription at the time of your eye examination or request it later, it's your right.
FTC Trade Regulation Rule (CFR 456)
PART 456OPHTHALMIC PRACTICE RULES
Sec.
456.1 Definitions.
456.2 Separation of examination and dispensing.
456.3 Federal or State employees.
456.4 Declaration of Commission Intent.
AUTHORITY: 15 U.S.C. 57a; 5 U.S.C. 552.
SOURCE: 57 FR 18822, May 1, 1992, unless otherwise noted.
456.1 Definitions.
(a) A patient is any person who has had an eye examination.
(b) An eye examination is the process of determining the refractive condition
of a persons eyes or the presence of any visual anomaly by the use of objective or subjective tests.
(c) Ophthalmic goods are eyeglasses,or any component of eyeglasses, and contact lenses.
(d) Ophthalmic services are the measuring,fitting, and adjusting of ophthalmic goods subsequent to an eye examination.
(e) An ophthalmologist is any Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathy who performs eye examinations.
(f) An optometrist is any Doctor of Optometry.
(g) A prescription is the written specifications for lenses for eyeglasses which are derived from an eye examination, including all of the information specified by state law, if any, necessary to obtain lenses for eyeglasses.
456.2 Separation of examination and dispensing.
It is an unfair act or practice for an ophthalmologist or optometrist to:
(a) Fail to provide to the patient one copy of the patient's prescription immediately
after the eye examination is completed. Provided: An ophthalmologist or optometrist may refuse to give the patient a copy of the patients prescription until the patient has paid for the eye examination, but only if that ophthalmologist or optometrist would have required immediate payment from that patient had the examination revealed that no ophthalmic goods were required;
(b) Condition the availability of an eye examination to any person on a requirement that the patient agree to
purchase any ophthalmic goods from the ophthalmologist or optometrist;
(c) Charge the patient any fee in addition to the ophthalmologist's or optometrist's examination fee as a condition to releasing the prescription to the patient. Provided: An ophthalmologist or optometrist may charge an additional
fee for verifying ophthalmic goods dispensed by another seller when the additional fee is imposed at the time the verification is performed; or
(d) Place on the prescription, or require the patient to sign, or deliver to the patient a form or notice waiving or
disclaiming the liability or responsibility of the ophthalmologist or optometrist for the accuracy of the eye examination
or the accuracy of the ophthalmic goods and services dispensed by another seller.
456.3 Federal or State employees.
This rule does not apply to ophthalmologists or optometrists employed by any Federal, State or local government
entity.
456.4 Declaration of Commission Intent.
In prohibiting the use of waivers and disclaimers of liability in 456.2(d), it is not the Commissions intent to impose liability on an ophthalmologist or optometrist for the ophthalmic goods and services dispensed by another seller pursuant to the ophthalmologists or optometrists prescription.
Understanding Your Eyeglass Prescription
Your eyeglass prescription consists of lens powers needed to give you the best vision possible. A nice post in this thread explaining your prescription can be found here.
What the Numbers Mean
Your prescription will consist of numbers that represent the lens powers needed to correct the vision in each of your eyes. A typical eyeglass prescription will look something like this:
OD -3.25 -1.25 x 175
OS -4.25 -1.00 x 165
Add 2.25
The first line of an eyeglass prescription is, by convention, for the right eye. It is sometimes noted as O.D. The left eye or O.S. is the second line of your eyeglass prescription. The first column number is the spherical power for each eye. It is indicated by numbers known as diopters usually in .25 steps. Occasionally you may see .12 steps but this is rare. Sphere powers are identified by either a plus or minus sign. This is a very important to know because a minus (-) power corrects the vision problem nearsightedness and a plus ( ) power corrects farsightedness. So if the sphere power of your prescription is a negative number you are nearsighted and if the sphere power is a positive number than you are farsighted. The larger the number the greater the degree of nearsightedness or farsightedness.
The second column of your eyeglass prescription is called the cylinder power. If there is a number in this column that means that you have astigmatism. The same plus and minus number conventions as the sphere power apply to the cylinder of your prescription. There may be no number in this column or there may be a sph. or sphere written in this column. In either case there is no power so you have no astigmatism. It is possible to have astigmatism in one eye and not your other.
The last column of your prescription is the axis. This represents the direction or location of your cylinder power. If there is no cylinder power in your eyeglass prescription. than it cannot and will not have an axis number indicated. If you have a cylinder power then it will have an axis. This is a measurement in degrees from 0 to 180. Only half of the 360 degree circle are used because 90 and 270 would be identical.
So if you know your sphere power cylinder power, and axis for each eye, you know if you are nearsighted, farsighted, or have if you have an astigmatism.
Occasionally a prescription may have a prism power. This is usually for people who suffer from diplopia (double vision). It may be a fraction or a decimal such as 1/2 or .75. If there is a prism power it must also have a direction or a base. This is either up, down, in, or out. Prism is relatively rare in occurrence.
Bifocals
Most people are very happy with the single vision lenses that they have ordered from the internet.
But purchasing a pair of bifocals or progressives online is a risky proposition at best. To get a pair of bifocals or progressives that work properly, the optometrist really needs to see the frame on your own face to take some measurements before making the lenses. This is not possible when you order a complete pair of eyeglasses online. The online shops try to guess at these segment readings and sometimes you'll get a pair of bifocals that works good. But often, you'll get a pair of glasses that you don't want to wear again because the magnifying add areas are in the wrong locations.
You can convert a bifocal prescription to a single lens one if you'd like. Just add the "ADD" column number to the SPH number. For example, you have a prescription of SPH -3.00 ADD 2.00 and want a pair of single lense reading glasses. You would add -3.00 to 2.00 and order a -1.00 lense. These reading glasses will often work better than the store bought "readers" because:
-they can have a different lense strength in each eye in case your vision correction needs are different in each eye
-they can correct for astigmatism
-you can customize the pupillary distance reading for your own particular face instead of using an "average" reading from the general population
If you are converting your prescription to a single lens for reading as mentioned above, You will have to subtract 3 from your bifocals pupillary distance (PD).
Single vision computer glasses – Split the Add number in half, and combine that split number with the Sph.
Leave the Add data entry field blank. Enter the Cyl and Axis values for both eyes. These values are not changed in any way. Use the distance PD.
A multi focal prescription such as bifocal, trifocal, or progressive lens will also have an add power. This power is in addition to the sphere, cylinder, and axis and is indicated on the next line of the prescription. It is always a positive number such as 1.25 or 2.25. This is the amount of extra focusing power to enable reading or near vision.
Single vision example:
SPH CYL AXIS
OD -2.00 -0.50 90
OS -1.00 -0.25 45
This prescription tells us:
A. The person is near sighted in both the right and left eye. (The SPH power is negative on both eyes).
B. The person has astigmatism in both eyes. (By virtue of a CYL number)
C. At 0 and 180 degrees, the right lens power is -2.00 diopters.
D. At 90 and 270 degrees, the right lens power is -2.50 diopters. (-2.00 for the SPH + -0.50 CYL at the 90 and 270 degree line)
E. At 135 and 315 degrees, the left lens power is -1.00 diopters.
F. At 45 and 225 degrees, the left lens power is -1.25 diopters.
C through F explains why some lenses are thicker in certain spots of the lens than others.
ADD
This is the added power for bifocals (presbyopia), reading glasses, or computer glasses.
The ADD power is always a positive number.
Take the example prescription above and throw in an add power:
SPH CYL AXIS
OD -2.00 -0.50 90
OS -1.00 -0.25 45
ADD:
OD +1.50
OS +1.50
If you wear bifocals, the prescription on the distance part of the lens (above the line) doesn't change:
SPH CYL AXIS
OD -2.00 -0.50 90
OS -1.00 -0.25 45
However, the bifocal part of the lens requires us to sum (or ADD) the +1.50 to the distance portion of the prescription. Therefore the reading part of the lens is:
SPH CYL AXIS
OD -0.50 -0.50 90
OS +0.50 -0.25 45
Think about it...if you're near sighted, you can see things up close more easily. When you combine the ADD portion of the lens with the distance prescription, you're reducing the power of the lens in the bifocal (because you don't need as much power to see close up!)
The same thing works in reverse with far-sighted lenses. The ADD increases the bifocal power as far-sighted people need more help to see up close as opposed to far away.
If you are handed a bifocal prescription like this:
SPH CYL AXIS
OD +1.00 -0.00
OS +1.00 -0.00
ADD:
OD +1.50
OS +1.50
and you wanted a pair of reading glasses, you would not choose a pair of +1.50 readers. Why? Because to get the reading prescription, you must combine the ADD power with the SPH power. In this case, +1.00 + 1.50 for each eye. Therefore you would need to buy +2.50 readers.
If you want computer glasses (intermediate glasses), halve the ADD power (+0.75 for the case above), and add it to the SPH power. Therefore you would purchase +1.75 glasses for reading.
PD
The last number need to complete an eyeglass prescription and fabricate a new pair of eyeglasses is the pupillary distance otherwise know as known as "PD". It is the distance, in millimeters, between the centers of the pupils in your eyes, for example 62. This is further described as distance PD and near PD such as 63/60. Distance PD is when you are looking straight ahead and near PD is when you are looking close. When you look close your eyes turn in, therefore the near PD will always be less than your distance PD. Each eye can also be measured individually. This is called a monocular PD. It would be expressed as 31/30 or 31/31 depending on your symmetry and facial feature. An adult PD varies little with time. The PD should be adjusted for reading glasses.
A written eyeglass prescription may or may not contain a PD measurement.
Some optometry shops are also very uncooperative when it comes to getting a pupillary distance (PD) reading too. It's not uncommon for the optometry doctor that gives you your eye exam to refuse to tell you your PD measurement after the exam is finished. And then tell you that you should talk to the shop's dispensing optician to obtain PD measurement. But the dispensing optician will then give you excuses about why you cannot have this reading unless you purchase a pair of glasses from their shop. Regardless, the PD should be contained within your medical records and under HIPAA you have a right to see your medical records, ask for a copy. It is a very good idea to retain your own copy of your records. If at some time you have problems with your eyes, past records can help to diagnose the problem.
In Canada, new regulations require optometry shops to give out pupillary distance readings with each prescription. There is also an online petition of people in the United Kingdom to require pupillary distance readings with each prescription too. But no such regulations exist on a federal level in the united states.
Eye Exams
Make sure your prescription is current by having your eyes examined regularly to insure you are seeing as clearly as possible. Routine eye examinations also screen for the silent stealers of sight such as glaucoma and cataracts. Eyes change gradually over time and it may be so gradual that you do not notice. Immediately make an appointment with your optometrist if you have a sudden change in vision.
This is the eyeglass company that Clark Howard always talks about- He loves them!
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Should I get high index lenses?
There have been many questions about lens thickness and whether or not people should spend $ on the Hi-index lenses. Well, I finally had enough time to Google around to find enough information (specifically, the formula to convert index and lens power to a lens radius) to figure this all out.
I created a public spreadsheet. You can adjust the green/yellow columns as needed or make a copy of the spreadsheet (use the Export or Copy To My Account menus).
Link to online spreadsheet
A simpler version than the spreadsheet (same info, just easier to use, I think) is available here.
Note that this will not tell you the actual thickness of the edge of your lens. It is the geometric minimum based the factors you see in the formula. Your actual lens will be thicker (because the thinnest part of the lens cannot be zero as my formula assumes) and may be thinner (if they grind down the edge as they often do). However, you should be able to compute a reasonably accurate difference between two different lens indexes. (And unless you have an extreme prescription, the difference between 1.57 and 1.67 will likely be less than 1mm.)
I hope this is helpful.
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It should be noted that if you are nearsighted (myopic) and want the thinnest possible lens at the outside edge, then you will want to purchase a frame with the minimum distance possible from the corner of your eye to the outside edge of lens. You do not want a lens that is so small horizontally that you see around the edge of your glasses with the slightest turn of your eyeball. But you also do not want a really huge lens horizontally with lots of extra area on the side that you will seldom use. With something massive like a 60mm wide lens and a small pupillary distance, even a mild -2.00 prescription can give you thick "coke bottle" lenses towards the outside edge. There will also be a noticeable amount of weight associated with the extra lens thickness which will make the glasses grind into your nose a little more. High index lenses can help reduce the thickness of the lenses towards the outside edge, but they often cannot completely undo the damage of making a poor frame choice in the first place.
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When purchasing metal eyeglass frames from online stores, you might want to pay attention to whether the frame has "spring hinges". Most of the metal eyeglasses at my local brick-and-mortar optometry shops have spring hinges. But zennioptical sells a lot of metal frames without spring hinges. I've purchased a couple pairs of glasses from 39DollarGlasses.com and all of them have had spring hinges even though it wasn't mentioned in the description. Spring hinges allow the temple arms to expand outwards which puts less stress on the frames to help them last longer. Spring hinges are also good is you have a really wide head.
If in doubt whether a frame has spring hinges, you can look at some pictures of the frame. Frames with spring hinges will have an oversized area in the temple arm near the attachment point to the front portion of the frame. Many optical retailers also have a live help contact function on their website or a phone number that you can call for more specifics about a particular frame too.
Zenni Optical also sells some frames with full swing 180 degree hinges. This feature allows the temple arms to pivot outwards at a full 90 degree angle instead of the ~20 degree angle that you'll find with most spring hinges. I personally really like the full swing 180 degree hinges, but a small number of people seem to prefer the conventional spring hinges with the limited swing angle.
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If you are uncomfortable ordering eyeglasses online and choose a brick and mortar store instead, do be aware that there is a large company called "Luxottica" which owns lenscrafters, pearle vision, Sears optical and target optical. Luxottica is a well established company that provides a good quality product, but their prices are quite high compared to many other optical retailers. For instance my local lenscrafters wanted $169 for polycarbonate single vision lenses, $89 for the eye exam, and their cheap frames stared at $129. There is also an unofficial blog about this company online at: http://www.suxottica.com/
For more reasonably priced optical retailers, you might try looking in your phonebook yellowpages for local independent optical shops. There are also some non-luxottica-owned optical shops in major retailers like BJ's, Costco, and WalMart. WalMart had really attractive pricing for a brick-n-mortar shop, my local store had cr39 single vision lenses for $29, single vision polycarbonate lenses for $59, and frames starting at $9. My local BJ's wasn't quite as cheap as the WalMart, but this changed when i hit one of their 50% off sales. One odd thing about BJ's was that they did not have an optometrist to do exams on staff. Instead, you had to get your eyes examined at a doctor of your choosing, and then bring the prescription paper into the dispensing optician at BJ's. Do note although BJ's and Costco are "members only warehouse clubs", you DO NOT need a membership to purchase items from the optometry section of their store.
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Have been buying my eyeglasses from them ever since someone posted on fatwallet years ago. I normally order 3 pairs at a time. One being for my bike riding. No problems with customer service. I received one broken and they replaced it free. Broke it again within 30 days ( rimless ) and they gave me a bit of hassle but in the end, I got a replacement for free. That frame is no longer sold. Wonder why!
I recommend them to anyone who wants to save monies. I did a computer repair at an eye clinic and got a free eye exam in return
My PD was different from my prior order and Zenni emailed me asking if it was correct.
Mine are no line progressive, am an old man, ie 62 years old
Recommended them to my brother and he is also happy with his eye glasses.
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I've bought several pairs of progressive glasses from Zenni, EyeBuyDirect & Goggles4u - but have had to return some pairs to each vendor. It's very difficult to get the reading part of the lens in the right place unless they mark it while the frame is on your face. I'd say at least half the time I couldn't use the glasses I received. I had better luck with sunglasses; not only are the lenses generally larger but I don't need to read much while wearing them (speedometer, an occasional bit of print) so the placement of the reading area isn't as critical.
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