Wellness

[conlt]

No that is about right, I get the progressive crizel lenses. I am spoiled now and will not get anything else. Those lenses do not scratch, mine are over 2 years old now and I refuse to get new glasses until I lose more weight. I lost 58 pounds and still need to lose more but I am afraid new glassess will be to big. I do WW so my progress is about 1/2 pound a week. 

[patbz]

2 months ago I bought frames and lens (no line progressive/ astigmatism) from Zenni optical.com for $144.

[151949]

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@noodleann wrote:

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@151949 wrote:

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@noodleann wrote:

I was very happy with the Walmart glasses I got several years ago. Surveyed all their frames, picked out the one I liked best, and it was $9. The total bill, with progressive lenses (no line), but no extra coatings, was around $300.

I got new glasses after cataract surgery, through my medical center. First, the refraction was off so one lens had to be remade. Then I realized the woman who did the specs with pupil distance at the eye shop messed up, because the second pair of glasses unfocus my eyes slightly. I have an older pair I have to use for night driving, or I'm not safe on the road--somehow during the day I compensate. I will never again use an eye doctor's service; I will get refraction and glasses through Walmart or Sam's Club or some other discount service where the frames aren't $150 and up and they are accountable for what they produce.

I have to add that I really hate all eye business. I'm supposed to be able to get a Medicare diabetic eye exam annually, but neither regular Medicare when I had it nor the Advantage plan I have now seems to want to pay. I make sure I get a straight exam, no frills, and the same issue comes up every time, leaving me footing the bill. At this point, I'm just not having those exams, but I'd love to know if it's a coding issue or what the deal is.

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My advantage plan pays for my eye exam every year for the past 7 years, and also they pay for the lens if you have to buy glasses.I believe they have to pay for the exam - because they have to pay for everything medicare pays for.They don't even charge me for the specialists co pay.

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I have an add-on policy with my Advantage that pays some on glasses. Not sure how much because the only glasses I've gotten had been under the cataract provision, and that worked out to half was paid. Those were the lousy glasses I got though the hospital. Never again, Walmart for me. Next year, after the roofing is done, I'll replace them.

Just FYI, it doesn't matter what Medicare says it will pay, or the Advantage policy terms. If they refuse to pay, they refuse to pay, and they do. I don't get it, the eye care providers don't get it--but they do say this happens quite often. So I'm done with those meaningless checkups for the time being.

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If it says on your policy that they pay for an eye exam plus something toward the glasses and they don't honor that you need to fight them. Don't be a doormat.

[hckynut]

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@chihuahuamom wrote:

Can't remember the last time I had one, and vision was getting a little blurry, so went today for a test.  My eyes had changed slightly, so of course, in addition to lenses, I needed new frames.  The test was covered by my insurance, but not the rest.  I got progressive lenses (as I had before) plus some kind of coating. I got a "package deal" and it came to $498.  That seemed awfully high to me, but then I haven't done this in probably 10 years.  What do ya'll think?  It just seemed easier to go ahead with them, as the eye test was done there.  Did I get fleeced or it that par for the course these days?

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@chihuahuamom

After reading yours and other posts, I can say this. Had cataract surgery on both eyes. Think it was in 2009 or 2010. I chose to pay $1700 out of my own pocket to have a Mono-focal iol put in my left eye. My right eye I went with the Mono-focal iol as it was all paid by Medicare and my secondary insurer.

I can see now 2 things for sure. I can actually "see" all distances without my usual trifocals, which I purchased for many years. Don't even need the readers for the real small print. I factored these costs into my decision, that if I lived long enough, the Multi-focal iol, will have paid for itself.

The way my eyes were changing got shorter and shorter, so I figure my choice for my left eye, has already paid for itself, and then some. Plus I now don't have to wonder "where did I leave those danged glasses" anymore. Thank you for assuring me I am already money ahead because of my choice, and also free from the dependence on the glasses.

hckynut(john)

[SchippyLuv]

I've been ordering progressives with generic Transitions and generic Crizal coating for years from Zenni Optical in San Rafael, CA. I love their service and I always enjoy my glasses and frames. I have never paid more than $105 for everything I need. Before Zenni, my glasses always cost over $500/pair.

Zenni also does special computer glasses for me. Now I can afford to have several pair to switch out according to my mood.

[mousiegirl]

It doesn't make sense that insurance doesn't cover glasses and some eye tests.  If eyes aren't taken care of, the expense in vision and insurance dollars only rises, so why don't insurance companies recognize eye care as important enough to cover, I wonder.

[BLH]

I just got progressive lenses for $180.00 and a frame for $60.00

[Tinkrbl44]

Question for anybody that knows the answer ........

Last time I got glasses, I was unhappy & went back because the lenses didn't "un-blur" my vision.   I was told I had "slight" cataracts and it wasn't the prescription.  The prescription was correct.  

I'm nearly due for an exam now.   If I actually need cataract surgery now, I should get it done first before I have  new glasses made, right?   Would anyone here think I actually should have yet another exam done after cataract surgery .....  or would that be unnecessary?

[ALRATIBA]

When I was a child, my parents had my eyes checked every year - and new glasses every year.  As an adult, I generally have my eyes checked and new glasses made every two years.    I only wear glass photochromic bifocal lenses.  A lot of the chain eyeglass places don't dispense those lenses ... so I go to an independent optometrist to buy them.  I just can't focus with plastic lenses.  Tried it ... my eyes don't like them!

I'm fussy about frames because I wear the glasses 24/7.  I try to stay under $500 for the frame, but the last frame was $625.  Lenses generally cost about $250. 

I won't scrimp or bargain hunt when it comes my my vision / hearing / dental / health.

[VaBelle35]

I had vision insurance through work and their lenses and frames "in network" were limited.  I dropped my vision insurance and go to Costco.  I save on the premiums and it's still cheaper than through the insurance.  I had VSP and I forget the other vision coverage we had before VSP.

My exam is covered by my medical insurance.  I pay for the refraction out of pocket ($50).  Still cheaper than using the vision insurance.