#1 ·
I am planning to pick up some prescription lenses in Washington, D.C. I am also looking for frames, but my primary focus right now is the glass itself. What has your experience been regarding which lenses actually provide good value? I recently visited LensCrafters, and they offered me anti-reflective coating—the kind that helps with computer glare and artificial lighting—for $210. If I opted for lenses without that extra protection, they would be roughly $67 cheaper.
Since it is the weekend, I haven't had a chance to ask them for the specific technical details of those lenses. My online research turned up several different categories: "single vision plastic lenses," "single vision polycarbonate lenses," and "single vision hi-index lenses." The price gaps are quite significant—it’s a bit like comparing a standard sedan to a luxury SUV—and it makes me wonder if it might be more prudent to order both the frames and the lenses online. From what I can see, the selection seems broader and the prices much more competitive. When I crunch the numbers—comparing the frames and lenses I picked out at LensCrafters (assuming basic plastic lenses) against what I find online plus standard plastic lenses (including anti-reflective and UV protection)—ordering online would save me nearly $100. That represents a savings of over a third of the total cost! What are your thoughts on this, and what has your experience been?
Since it is the weekend, I haven't had a chance to ask them for the specific technical details of those lenses. My online research turned up several different categories: "single vision plastic lenses," "single vision polycarbonate lenses," and "single vision hi-index lenses." The price gaps are quite significant—it’s a bit like comparing a standard sedan to a luxury SUV—and it makes me wonder if it might be more prudent to order both the frames and the lenses online. From what I can see, the selection seems broader and the prices much more competitive. When I crunch the numbers—comparing the frames and lenses I picked out at LensCrafters (assuming basic plastic lenses) against what I find online plus standard plastic lenses (including anti-reflective and UV protection)—ordering online would save me nearly $100. That represents a savings of over a third of the total cost! What are your thoughts on this, and what has your experience been?