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I buy glasses online from Zenni optical, who make them in China. (there are other companies that do this, but Zenni is the one Iv'e used) They start at $6 for

I buy glasses online from Zenni optical, who make them in China. (there are other companies that do this, but Zenni is the one Iv'e used) They start at $6 for frames and prescription lenses, and they have multiple styles under $20 that match the shape and look I prefer in my glasses. It's really nice to have glasses cheap enough that I've got spare sets at home, at work and in the car; and not "my old set with the badly scratched up lenses" spares but "slightly different style frames" spares. It's hard to explain to someone that doesn't wear glasses just how much peace of mind you get from that.

Qworg 7y ago
An in-between is Warby Parker - I like being able to try on the glasses in store (or shipped to door). Roughly $100-$150.
- aidenn0 7y ago
  In on the fence with my warby parker glasses. They seem to scratch far easier than my previous lenses. After 18 months I can't wear them in the dark anymore as they are so scratched that off axis light causes terrible glare. On the other hand, I can buy new glasses five times as often, and I usually will break or lose my glasses due to misfortune within 7 years, so it's still cheaper.
  - ctordtor 7y ago
    I tend to be ridiculously un-careful with my specs except with how I clean them, my current glasses are regular plastic with no coatings and they haven't scratched yet. I wash them under warm water with dish detergent and my fingers and them hit them with compressed air or a micro fiber cloth to dry. I wonder how you are cleaning yours as my current pair are over a year old and I can't find a single scratch.
    - mrob 7y ago
      Mine are also regular uncoated ADC plastic, and I wash them with warm water + dish detergent + microfiber cloth. I then rinse under a thin stream of running water, slow enough that it has laminar flow, and I angle the glasses so the water hits the lens close to parallel to the surface. The water sheets off the lens without splashing and leaves it visually flawless. I always rinse the microfiber cloth before use to remove any grit or abrasive dust, and I avoid touching the lenses with anything but the wet microfiber cloth.
    - aidenn0 7y ago
      I clean the same way, but dry with a lint free cotton cloth. My lenses have AR coating though
kiba 7y ago
Seconded this. I bought mine from Zenni optical as well. It's amazing that we don't have backups for critical personal items, such as our phone and our eyewear.
crusader1099 7y ago
Being a glasses user I can definitely understand the peace of mind part. However, I find that I rarely seem to break or otherwise damage my glasses. Maybe it's just me.
ctordtor 7y ago
I can attest to Zenni glasses, I have three bespectacled users in the family and have started to get them to bring home prescriptions. I've saved hundreds and they're happier with their glasses and their backups and their sunglasses. None of us are on transitions which seems like the best use case for a traditional Luxottica mall brand. It seems to take about the same amount of time vs. a mall store.

Qworg 7y ago

An in-between is Warby Parker - I like being able to try on the glasses in store (or shipped to door). Roughly $100-$150.

aidenn0 7y ago
In on the fence with my warby parker glasses. They seem to scratch far easier than my previous lenses. After 18 months I can't wear them in the dark anymore as they are so scratched that off axis light causes terrible glare. On the other hand, I can buy new glasses five times as often, and I usually will break or lose my glasses due to misfortune within 7 years, so it's still cheaper.
- ctordtor 7y ago
  I tend to be ridiculously un-careful with my specs except with how I clean them, my current glasses are regular plastic with no coatings and they haven't scratched yet. I wash them under warm water with dish detergent and my fingers and them hit them with compressed air or a micro fiber cloth to dry. I wonder how you are cleaning yours as my current pair are over a year old and I can't find a single scratch.
  - mrob 7y ago
    Mine are also regular uncoated ADC plastic, and I wash them with warm water + dish detergent + microfiber cloth. I then rinse under a thin stream of running water, slow enough that it has laminar flow, and I angle the glasses so the water hits the lens close to parallel to the surface. The water sheets off the lens without splashing and leaves it visually flawless. I always rinse the microfiber cloth before use to remove any grit or abrasive dust, and I avoid touching the lenses with anything but the wet microfiber cloth.
  - aidenn0 7y ago
    I clean the same way, but dry with a lint free cotton cloth. My lenses have AR coating though

kiba 7y ago

Seconded this. I bought mine from Zenni optical as well. It's amazing that we don't have backups for critical personal items, such as our phone and our eyewear.

crusader1099 7y ago

Being a glasses user I can definitely understand the peace of mind part. However, I find that I rarely seem to break or otherwise damage my glasses. Maybe it's just me.

ctordtor 7y ago

I can attest to Zenni glasses, I have three bespectacled users in the family and have started to get them to bring home prescriptions. I've saved hundreds and they're happier with their glasses and their backups and their sunglasses. None of us are on transitions which seems like the best use case for a traditional Luxottica mall brand. It seems to take about the same amount of time vs. a mall store.