I need new glasses. The only insurance-approved place I can shop online will cost $250 with my needs. I went to a "cheap" glasses website that doesn't accept insurance: $250. Yay, America.

Submitted ⁨⁨3⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago⁩ by ⁨FlyingSquid@lemmy.world⁩ to ⁨mildlyinfuriating@lemmy.world⁩

The optometrist recommended seamless bifocals. I have a very painful nerve condition in my face (atypical trigeminal neuralgia), so this is what I need with glasses: the lightest weight frames possible- known as ultra light- with the lightest weight lenses possible and automatically darkening lenses so I don’t need the weight of sunglasses. The cheapest frames brought the total to $250 on the site the insurance worked with.

The frames are $20 on the cheap site. Everything else in the cost is the lenses.

As for why I have to buy them online- I don’t want anyone touching my face unless it’s absolutely necessary. The exam was painful enough.

American for-profit healthcare is fucking awesome.

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tomkatt@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
I recently went for glasses and eye exam. Near sighted with astigmatism, and now I need bifocals on top of it. Bifocals with line aren’t common now so doctor suggested progressives. I’m fine with that.

I’m also a special kid who can’t wear polycarbonate lenses because I’m hypersensitive to chromatic aberration. So need Trivex lenses as well. Throw in an anti-glare coating and my cost (with insurance) is like $460.

The sad part is given my needs and how few carry Trivex in my area, I consider it a decent deal.

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- FlyingSquid@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  That’s insane. I’m really sorry to hear it.
  
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  - tomkatt@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
    Don’t be. I’m fortunate to be able to afford it, and it’s just part of the cost of living to me. In my 40s now and been wearing glasses since I was 10yo.
    
    I’m just happy I’ll be able to read fine print and see stuff close again without needing to take off my glasses.
    
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Death_Equity@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
I buy from glassesshop, I think the cheapest pair is $50 for frame and lenses. I went all in on the thinnest lenses and transitions, I think it was $150.

Target optical does vision tests for $75 IIRC, and I go there to get a prescription that I give to glassesshop and pick up a cheap pair and a nicer pair. Still not free.99, but much cheaper than other routes without insurance.

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hakase@lemm.ee ⁨3⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
I always just go to America’s Best. $80 for an eye exam and two pairs of glasses is hard to beat.

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- FlyingSquid@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  As far as I know, that’s not around here. But the eye exam was only $30, so at least the insurance helped there. It would have only been $10, but they said if I gave them an extra $20, they’d do some imaging thing which meant they didn’t have to dilate my eyes. Totally worth an extra $20.
  
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greenshirtdenimjeans@sh.itjust.works ⁨3⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
Check out Firmoo, I’ve gotten really cheap prescription glasses on there multiple times.

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- FlyingSquid@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  Never heard of them. I’ll check them out. Thanks.
  
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Darkassassin07@lemmy.ca ⁨3⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
Goggles4u.com

With the promo code ‘BOGO’

2 pairs of frames + lenses with premium coatings (anti-glare, blue light filter, mirrored shades, photochromic shades)

Usually for around $50 CAD incl shipping.

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monobot@lemmy.ml ⁨3⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
I am from cheap part of Europe. While you can get glasses for 20 Euros, with those kind of requrements 250 sounds about the same.

I guess some countries might get prescription, but I doubt “light frame and light lenses with darkening” would qualify.

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- FlyingSquid@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  Basically, what I have found out since I posted this is that glasses need to be cheaper everywhere.
  
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possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip ⁨3⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
If you take care of the you should be good for at least 5 years

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