[Hidden-tech] Looking for optometrist who does his/her own wok

[Jan Werner]

Staying slightly off topic (and then returning to it):

For several years, I have been buying my glasses from Zenni Optical 
(http://www.zennioptical.com/) and been very satisfied with what I got 
at a VERY low price, typically less than 1/4 what I would pay locally.

Zenni's glasses are made in China and shipped from California. The 
quality of their lenses is (IMO) equal or superior to any I have found 
at full price in this country. Their frames do not match up to the 
better ones sold here, but they also cost $8-$40, instead of $79-$299.

The greatest advantage for me of buying online is that I do not need to 
provide an actual prescription. As I age, I find my eyesight varies a 
lot depending on things like time of day and what I am doing. This, in 
turn, means that what my ophthalmologist prescribes is not always what 
works best for me at a different times. The ability to adjust my 
prescription without seeing a licensed practitioner, along with the low 
cost, allows me to experiment with strengths and combinations to get 
eyeglasses that work best for me under different circumstances.

That said, buying online is not the answer for everyone. Zenni will not 
supply my wife with bifocals in the strength combinations she needs.

She also prefers to deal with someone whom she can count of for after 
sale service, like periodic adjustments, with the understanding that 
that is part of what she is paying for in the first place.

Of late, she has been using Design Vision, a locally owned business 
located in the Berkshire Mall in Lanesborough, and has been very pleased 
with them. The owner, Dana Seddon, makes a point of using local 
suppliers whenever possible, including for her lens grinding needs, so 
the original poster might want to get in touch with her and find out if 
she would be amenable to doing what he wants.

Jan Werner
_____________

Anne Campbell wrote:
>     ** Be sure to fill out the survey/skills inventory in the member's area.
>     ** If you did, we all thank you.
>
>
>
>
>
> Mitch Anthony wrote:
>
>     [...] I suspect that the the optometry labs are trying to protect a
>     traditional profit center that has been eroded by the recent flood
>     of designer readers.
>
>     I do know that there are optometrists who still do their own work,
>     and that they are willing to put custom lenses in stock frames -
>     often with the caveat that the customer sign a disclaimer form.
>
>
> This isn't exactly what you're asking, but I've had very good luck with
> http://www.39dollarglasses.com/ . I prefer to go with a local business
> whenever possible, and I have no problem with local businesses making a
> profit.....but it also seems like the markup on glasses is unusually
> high. With all three of my family members wearing glasses, getting an 80
> or 90% discount is a tremendous help.
>
> If you decide to go the route of buying glasses online, you'll just need
> to ask your local eye doctor to write out your prescription, including
> the pupillary distance. You can view the frames online on models with
> different-shaped faces, and even print out a life-size model to cut out
> of paper and try on your own face.
>
> My family has bought a good half-dozen pairs of glasses from this
> company, and we have seen absolutely NO difference in the quality of the
> frames or lenses versus the ones that we bought from an eye doctor. If
> anything, I think my most recent pair are holding up *better* than ones
> that I bought for much more money. And for what it's worth, I don't have
> any connection with 39 Dollar Glasses other than as a satisfied customer.
>
> -Anne
>
> --
> Anne Campbell, acampbell at gmail.com <mailto:acampbell at gmail.com>
> http://www.annecampbelldesign.com/
> http://www.riverbenddoula.com/
>
>
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