Had my eyes tested in Cairns this week, and needed new progressive glasses. The optician showed me cheap frames for $99 and better ones for $300. The quote for the lenses alone was almost $800 without non reflective lenses or radiation protection. Naturally, I balked at this blatant greed and went away to do some internet research. And I found Aus Specs on line, offering me the same order of lenses and frames, with the extras as well, for $377.00. I phoned the optician and asked them to email my script and received a 'script' that made no sense to the opticians at Aus Specs. That meant a trip today back to the optician to ask for the correct script which I was given.
Aus Specs are an Australian company, for those squeamish about buying 'foreign'. It's all done online - choose the frames, it's easy with the measurements they provide, upload your script for their optician to check, pay online and you get your glasses in about a week.
The optician was paid by Medicare for my eye check, plus I paid a surcharge for that, and there is no obligation to buy their overpriced frames or donate $500 to them for no reason. What a rip Off!
valnrob said
11:51 PM Jul 20, 2012
Totally agree enzed. Glasses and frames are totally overpriced, one pair of mine cost nearly $800, progressive and tinted and glare free !! I now look on the Internet whenever I need glasses. Your Optician must have been annoyed why your email script was gobbeldygook!!
Roving-Dutchy said
12:07 AM Jul 21, 2012
Thank you for that information.
Up to this point I was of the understanding that it was not possible to get multifocal lenses online. as where I purchase mine it always required a precise measurement as to the relationship of the pupil in your eye, evidently that is no longer the case.
I wish I had known this earlier in the year as my multifocals cost me over $400 more than the refund from MBF.
If you have lenses with antiglare coating be careful how you clean them as some lens cleaning tissues contain alcohol which damages the coating and you then require new lenses at great cost as the coating is unrepairable other glass cleaners may also cause the same damage
I wonder why you received a surcharge for you eye test as I have had many eye tests and never been charged extra and I always ask for my prescription as it is my right to have it without charge, as its paid for by Medicare.
It has certainly become harder to get glasses, without costing an arm and a leg, this has come about as most of the optical dispensers are now owned by overseas companies, so I will certainly be looking into online supplier from now on.
Also I have noticed with my latest frames the frame size is now in white print in a position were it will wear off, so that when you go to order a new pair you can no longer read the size from your old frames, so you should note your frame size while the frames are new, which will make online ordering so much easier.
Cheers
David
enzed said
12:07 AM Jul 21, 2012
valnrob wrote:
Totally agree enzed. Glasses and frames are totally overpriced, one pair of mine cost nearly $800, progressive and tinted and glare free !! I now look on the Internet whenever I need glasses. Your Optician must have been annoyed why your email script was gobbeldygook!!
Yes, sending me a nonsense script was deliberate and I got a hostile reaction when I went back to ask for the correct script. However, the script was paid for, it belongs to the customer and we have a right to fill that script wherever we decide. It's no different to taking a doctors prescription to the pharmacy of your choice. I think I'll let Medicare know about this situation. Imagine how many retirees are being bullied into buying overpriced frames and lenses from opticians. I can stick up for myself but not everyone can, especially much older retirees. It's a disgrace. It should be stopped.
jetj said
12:17 AM Jul 21, 2012
I agree they wanted $1000 for glasses locally. I've bought 3 pairs online, the last pair multifocal, glarefree, change colour in the sun with 2 pairs of clip on sunglasses delivered to the door for $110 in less time than it took the locals to do the last pair because of stuffups.
They're nice glasses. You need your script and your Pupilary Distance which the Optometrist is obliged to give you if you ask.
enzed said
12:20 AM Jul 21, 2012
Roving-Dutchy wrot
Up to this point I was of the understanding that it was not possible to get multifocal lenses online. as where I purchase mine it always required a precise measurement as to the relationship of the pupil in your eye, evidently that is no longer the case.
If you have lenses with antiglare coating be careful how you clean them as some lens cleaning tissues contain alcohol which damages the coating and you then require new lenses at great cost as the coating is unrepairable other glass cleaners may also cause the same damage
I wonder why you received a surcharge for you eye test as I have had many eye tests and never been charged extra and I always ask for my prescription as it is my right to have it without charge, as its paid for by Medicare.
Also I have noticed with my latest frames the frame size is now in white print in a position were it will wear off, so that when you go to order a new pair you can no longer read the size from your old frames, so you should note your frame size while the frames are new, which will make online ordering so much easier.
Cheers
David
David, the precise measrement of the pupils is explained when you order, they explain how to measure, and you just use the measurements of your existing frames to find the same size frames. Thanks for the tip on anti-glare coating. Aus Spec website says to just wash lenses in gentle soap and water and recommended baby shampoo. My surcharge was for optical photographs, but too late I saw that another optician in the same mall was doing those for free, so i got caught there!
jetj said
12:25 AM Jul 21, 2012
They told me you can't buy Multifocals on line but not true. You do need the PD though which you can measure yourself but they have an obligation to do so if you ask.
The pair I have on cost $230 to the door and are perfect.
Jack Mac said
12:26 AM Jul 21, 2012
I'm have Medibank extras cover which covers optical, dental etc. It costs approx $480 per year. Just recently got a rebate of over $600 for root canal on one tooth. Also go to Specsavers where I can usually get one pair of Transition lenses specs free every year with Medicare rebate and sometimes two if they're having a special. Depending on the special at the time can sometimes get one pair of specs and one pair of prescrirtion sunnies.
valnrob said
12:37 AM Jul 21, 2012
jetj wrote:
I agree they wanted $1000 for glasses locally. I've bought 3 pairs online, the last pair multifocal, glarefree, change colour in the sun with 2 pairs of clip on sunglasses delivered to the door for $110 in less time than it took the locals to do the last pair because of stuffups.
They're nice glasses. You need your script and your Pupilary Distance which the Optometrist is obliged to give you if you ask.
Can I ask where you get yours from Jetj
enzed said
12:55 AM Jul 21, 2012
To David / Roving Dutchy,
Jetj's post explains that the 'precise' measurement to the relationship of the pupils that you mentioned, is called the 'Pullpillary Distance' or PD, and that your optician is obliged to give you that measurement if you ask.
When I asked the optician for that measurement today, I was told "we don't usually give that information". I asked why, the reply was "we only use it if people buy their glasses from us". I looked hard at this person [with my mean face] but before I could insist, she buckled and wrote the measurement on the script. It's part of the prescription. Ask for it and get it.
Jetj found glasses cheaper than mine, so hopefully she will post that information. When you do choose a company, and buy your glasses, they will store your frames measurements for future purchases so you only have to measure them once.
Cruising Granny said
01:08 AM Jul 21, 2012
Unfortunately I have too many things going on with my eyes to go online, so I go to Spec Savers. Just last month I purchased 2 pairs of progressive, non-reflective lenses with new frames. I have med benefits extras. While I was at it I had new lenses put into my old "good" glasses for computer. The whole lot cost me about $300 all up. I don't know how they can do it cheap and OPSM try to sell you frames for $800. They call it designer labels and "fashion". My new glasses are lovely and I've had nic comments. When are these businesses going to stop fleecing people for something as necessary as glasses?
woody said
01:10 AM Jul 21, 2012
Got transition lenses, good frames and go dark in the sun all for $140 online at gogles4u. and OPS somebody wanted over $700 for the same thing!!!!! Geez there is so much blatant ripoff happening out there . They were not too happy about giving me the script and did not include the pdf measurement , so I had to go back to OPS you know who to get full info.
sucastja said
01:11 AM Jul 21, 2012
Thank you everyone for your comments. This is all very timely as hubby and I are both going tomorrow to get eyes checked and order new glasses. I think we'll just get the check and the prescription and price around.
Happywanderer said
01:22 AM Jul 21, 2012
When you get your eyes checked you are allowed one free test every two years paid for by Medicare. It is your right to be given a copy of your script. I have been buying my glasses online from ZenniOptical for some years now. Very cheap but do the job and lots of great designs. Only problem I have found I have bought a couple of pr that are a bit narrow for me, I have to get the deeper style or I feel like I am squinting through such a tiny area. Thats the height of the frame I am talking about there. The most I have paid would be 30.00 all up. One pr cost me under 10.00. They do come from China but you get them within a week or so. They are very easy to order with good instructions throughout the process.
enzed said
01:22 AM Jul 21, 2012
sucastja wrote:
Thank you everyone for your comments. This is all very timely as hubby and I are both going tomorrow to get eyes checked and order new glasses. I think we'll just get the check and the prescription and price around.
Make sure you get the optician to add the PD, or Pullpillary distance to both your scripts so you don't have to muck around trying to measure it for each other. Please let us know how you get on, especially if they give you a hard time!
Maybe we should start a 'Wall Of Shame' to shame people and companies that rip off retirees. How would the webmaster feel about that I wonder?
Ole_Grizzly said
01:26 AM Jul 21, 2012
Gosh ! Every 2 years I am instructed to go to the Eye Hospital for the bi-annual diabetes eye test. Come out with no dramas..thank goodness.
Last time I asked the specialist eye doctor if he can do seeing eye test for me....Yep, no problem, multiple variants of magnification etc, and when finished he suggested I go to a Reject or Cheap as Chips shop and purchase 2+ glasses. Only for reading. So have been doing this for 'umpteen years now'.
Pity it can't be done for Mufti-visions.
enzed said
01:36 AM Jul 21, 2012
Ole_Grizzly wrote:
Gosh ! Every 2 years I am instructed to go to the Eye Hospital for the bi-annual diabetes eye test. Come out with no dramas..thank goodness.
Last time I asked the specialist eye doctor if he can do seeing eye test for me....Yep, no problem, multiple variants of magnification etc, and when finished he suggested I go to a Reject or Cheap as Chips shop and purchase 2+ glasses. Only for reading. So have been doing this for 'umpteen years now'.
Pity it can't be done for Mufti-visions.
Many years ago when all I needed was very simple reading glasses, I too used the cheap option you use. Unfortunately my eyes are now much more complicated, with different vision in each eye, so 'off the shelf' glasses are no longer an option. These days I need all the extra eye protection available and it costs extra.
jetj said
01:38 AM Jul 21, 2012
I bought the $110 ones from Zennioptical. They come from China as does most of what you buy from other sites in other Countries. Another pair, more expensive came from clearlycontacts.com.au and they are excellent too.
I was prepared that at the price they may not be the quality, but they are. I would advise to google and get some reviews of the place you choose to purchase from.
Roving-Dutchy said
03:30 AM Jul 21, 2012
Specsavers prices seem to be OK if you can wait till the specials come on but you don't know just how long it will be till the next sale comes on.
I found Specsavers and Paris Miki to be fairly reasonable with prices when they first started out but then each year afterwards the prices just continued to climb and I'm sure that most of the frames come from China and the landed cost is probably only a couple of dollars, each time you come away from dealing with them with the feeling you have been ripped of in a grand way, but isn't that the way with most suppliers these days be it phones or power or many other products.
Cheers
David
jonathan said
03:33 AM Jul 21, 2012
.. I'm happy with specsavers too .
Jon
Cruising Granny said
04:16 AM Jul 21, 2012
I do have trouble justifying the prices of frames. Fashion or not, labels or not, the prices are astronomical. Sure, you can get the "pensioners' versions" from the bottom drawer, but they're not very flattering to anybody. You'd think they could just drop a couple of the cheaper, modern frames in the bottom drawer at the end of the sale.
enzed said
05:38 AM Jul 21, 2012
I have now asked Aus Specs if I can have a second pair of glasses made specifically for computer distance use [the glass includes a radiation shield] and guess what? My optician's script does not include the 'Intermediate Add Value' number, which represents the Magnification Power for the distance I sit from the computer. I distinctly remember the optician measuring that. So on Monday, back I go to the optician's to wrest that number from them. If they won't give it to me I'm going to tell them I will report them to Medicare. This is turning into a real mission!
jetj said
06:28 AM Jul 21, 2012
I can only ever remember a near and a distance figure on my scripts. I can't remember seeing an intermediate add value. Best of luck, I hope you get what you need without a hassle.
_wombat_ said
07:59 AM Jul 21, 2012
diabetes eye test can be done every 12 months.
ZenniOptical is the way to go, glasses from $6.95 + $9.95 shipping, have a look here
Zenni Optical tell you all you need to know on their site, you can even put your own photo on the site and add the glasses you have chosen to your face to see how they look, if they suit you put your oder in.
you will need the script for your test and it should contain PD measurment and for each eye SPH, CYL, AXIS, NVADD
PS I do not work for this company, I am just a very satisfied customer.
I would NEVER get glasses any other way, having said that last year I had eye surgery and now only wear reading glasses, but I still have my eyes checked and buy from ZenniOptical
Nine times out of ten the person testing your eyes does not work for the company that supplies your glasses they are totally seperate buisnesses, its just like going to a display in Disneyland, they ALWAYS have you coming out through a shop of some kind, or another example, you use the chair lift in QLD and when you get off at the bottom your photo is there ready for you to buy and you have to walk through their shop to get out, I never buy anything from these shops, same as walking out after having your eyes tested you have to walk out through the shop, but make sure you pick up your script on the way out.
There are 4 optitions in our local shopping centre and they never go out of buisness because of the prices they charge.
RIP OFFS, RIP OFFS, RIP OFFS, RIP OFFS, RIP OFFS,
Ok I have finished now, I'll get off of my soapbox
-- Edited by _wombat_ on Saturday 21st of July 2012 08:14:37 AM
_wombat_ said
12:37 PM Jul 21, 2012
enzed wrote:
Aus Spec has Reading or Distance glasses from $29.95 including lenses, and Multi-Bifocals from $113.30, also including lenses.
have not heard og Aus Spec in WA, just going to do a google search.
here they are and you can do it online, will have to check them out
Here's a pic of me trying glasses from the Zenni site, go on upload your own pic and try some glasses
Thanks Elvis! You look very healthy, considering.
I just spent an hour on the Zenni site, finding and checking all 6 pairs of frames that would suit my script. Unfortunately, none of the 6 frames available to me were the right size. Otherwise I could have bought my progressive glasses there for $159. Other people with less complicated needs / scripts have a much larger range of frames to choose from though.
I will stay with Aus Specs as they have a frame identical in size to the ones I wear now that are a perfect fit.
kandagal said
04:39 PM Jul 21, 2012
I guess I'm lucky that i only need glasses for reading so I am happy to go with the free Qld Govt ones.
gypsy rover said
05:39 PM Jul 21, 2012
kandagal wrote:
I guess I'm lucky that i only need glasses for reading so I am happy to go with the free Qld Govt ones.
Hi kandagal
What FREE Qld Govt ones? I live in Qld and have never had free glasses.
Cheers!
Chris
_wombat_ said
06:03 PM Jul 21, 2012
gypsy rover wrote:
kandagal wrote:
I guess I'm lucky that i only need glasses for reading so I am happy to go with the free Qld Govt ones.
Hi kandagal
What FREE Qld Govt ones? I live in Qld and have never had free glasses.
Had my eyes tested in Cairns this week, and needed new progressive glasses. The optician showed me cheap frames for $99 and better ones for $300. The quote for the lenses alone was almost $800 without non reflective lenses or radiation protection. Naturally, I balked at this blatant greed and went away to do some internet research. And I found Aus Specs on line, offering me the same order of lenses and frames, with the extras as well, for $377.00. I phoned the optician and asked them to email my script and received a 'script' that made no sense to the opticians at Aus Specs. That meant a trip today back to the optician to ask for the correct script which I was given.
Aus Specs are an Australian company, for those squeamish about buying 'foreign'. It's all done online - choose the frames, it's easy with the measurements they provide, upload your script for their optician to check, pay online and you get your glasses in about a week.
The optician was paid by Medicare for my eye check, plus I paid a surcharge for that, and there is no obligation to buy their overpriced frames or donate $500 to them for no reason. What a rip Off!
Thank you for that information.
Up to this point I was of the understanding that it was not possible to get multifocal lenses online. as where I purchase mine it always required a precise measurement as to the relationship of the pupil in your eye, evidently that is no longer the case.
I wish I had known this earlier in the year as my multifocals cost me over $400 more than the refund from MBF.
If you have lenses with antiglare coating be careful how you clean them as some lens cleaning tissues contain alcohol which damages the coating and you then require new lenses at great cost as the coating is unrepairable other glass cleaners may also cause the same damage
I wonder why you received a surcharge for you eye test as I have had many eye tests and never been charged extra and I always ask for my prescription as it is my right to have it without charge, as its paid for by Medicare.
It has certainly become harder to get glasses, without costing an arm and a leg, this has come about as most of the optical dispensers are now owned by overseas companies, so I will certainly be looking into online supplier from now on.
Also I have noticed with my latest frames the frame size is now in white print in a position were it will wear off, so that when you go to order a new pair you can no longer read the size from your old frames, so you should note your frame size while the frames are new, which will make online ordering so much easier.
Cheers
David
Yes, sending me a nonsense script was deliberate and I got a hostile reaction when I went back to ask for the correct script. However, the script was paid for, it belongs to the customer and we have a right to fill that script wherever we decide. It's no different to taking a doctors prescription to the pharmacy of your choice. I think I'll let Medicare know about this situation. Imagine how many retirees are being bullied into buying overpriced frames and lenses from opticians. I can stick up for myself but not everyone can, especially much older retirees. It's a disgrace. It should be stopped.
They're nice glasses. You need your script and your Pupilary Distance which the Optometrist is obliged to give you if you ask.
David, the precise measrement of the pupils is explained when you order, they explain how to measure, and you just use the measurements of your existing frames to find the same size frames. Thanks for the tip on anti-glare coating. Aus Spec website says to just wash lenses in gentle soap and water and recommended baby shampoo. My surcharge was for optical photographs, but too late I saw that another optician in the same mall was doing those for free, so i got caught there!
The pair I have on cost $230 to the door and are perfect.
I'm have Medibank extras cover which covers optical, dental etc. It costs approx $480 per year. Just recently got a rebate of over $600 for root canal on one tooth. Also go to Specsavers where I can usually get one pair of Transition lenses specs free every year with Medicare rebate and sometimes two if they're having a special. Depending on the special at the time can sometimes get one pair of specs and one pair of prescrirtion sunnies.
Can I ask where you get yours from Jetj
To David / Roving Dutchy,
Jetj's post explains that the 'precise' measurement to the relationship of the pupils that you mentioned, is called the 'Pullpillary Distance' or PD, and that your optician is obliged to give you that measurement if you ask.
When I asked the optician for that measurement today, I was told "we don't usually give that information". I asked why, the reply was "we only use it if people buy their glasses from us". I looked hard at this person [with my mean face] but before I could insist, she buckled and wrote the measurement on the script. It's part of the prescription. Ask for it and get it.
Jetj found glasses cheaper than mine, so hopefully she will post that information. When you do choose a company, and buy your glasses, they will store your frames measurements for future purchases so you only have to measure them once.
I don't know how they can do it cheap and OPSM try to sell you frames for $800.
They call it designer labels and "fashion". My new glasses are lovely and I've had nic comments.
When are these businesses going to stop fleecing people for something as necessary as glasses?
It is your right to be given a copy of your script.
I have been buying my glasses online from ZenniOptical for some years now. Very cheap but do the job and lots of great designs. Only problem I have found I have bought a couple of pr that are a bit narrow for me, I have to get the deeper style or I feel like I am squinting through such a tiny area. Thats the height of the frame I am talking about there.
The most I have paid would be 30.00 all up. One pr cost me under 10.00. They do come from China but you get them within a week or so. They are very easy to order with good instructions throughout the process.
Make sure you get the optician to add the PD, or Pullpillary distance to both your scripts so you don't have to muck around trying to measure it for each other. Please let us know how you get on, especially if they give you a hard time!
Maybe we should start a 'Wall Of Shame' to shame people and companies that rip off retirees. How would the webmaster feel about that I wonder?
Last time I asked the specialist eye doctor if he can do seeing eye test for me....Yep, no problem, multiple variants of magnification etc, and when finished he suggested I go to a Reject or Cheap as Chips shop and purchase 2+ glasses. Only for reading. So have been doing this for 'umpteen years now'.
Pity it can't be done for Mufti-visions.
Many years ago when all I needed was very simple reading glasses, I too used the cheap option you use. Unfortunately my eyes are now much more complicated, with different vision in each eye, so 'off the shelf' glasses are no longer an option. These days I need all the extra eye protection available and it costs extra.
I was prepared that at the price they may not be the quality, but they are. I would advise to google and get some reviews of the place you choose to purchase from.
Specsavers prices seem to be OK if you can wait till the specials come on but you don't know just how long it will be till the next sale comes on.
I found Specsavers and Paris Miki to be fairly reasonable with prices when they first started out but then each year afterwards the prices just continued to climb and I'm sure that most of the frames come from China and the landed cost is probably only a couple of dollars, each time you come away from dealing with them with the feeling you have been ripped of in a grand way, but isn't that the way with most suppliers these days be it phones or power or many other products.
Cheers
David
.. I'm happy with specsavers too .
Jon
Sure, you can get the "pensioners' versions" from the bottom drawer, but they're not very flattering to anybody. You'd think they could just drop a couple of the cheaper, modern frames in the bottom drawer at the end of the sale.
diabetes eye test can be done every 12 months.
ZenniOptical is the way to go, glasses from $6.95 + $9.95 shipping, have a look here
http://www.zennioptical.com/
Zenni Optical tell you all you need to know on their site, you can even put your own photo on the site and add the glasses you have chosen to your face to see how they look, if they suit you put your oder in.
you will need the script for your test and it should contain PD measurment and for each eye SPH, CYL, AXIS, NVADD
PS I do not work for this company, I am just a very satisfied customer.
I would NEVER get glasses any other way, having said that last year I had eye surgery and now only wear reading glasses, but I still have my eyes checked and buy from ZenniOptical
Nine times out of ten the person testing your eyes does not work for the company that supplies your glasses they are totally seperate buisnesses, its just like going to a display in Disneyland, they ALWAYS have you coming out through a shop of some kind, or another example, you use the chair lift in QLD and when you get off at the bottom your photo is there ready for you to buy and you have to walk through their shop to get out, I never buy anything from these shops, same as walking out after having your eyes tested you have to walk out through the shop, but make sure you pick up your script on the way out.
There are 4 optitions in our local shopping centre and they never go out of buisness because of the prices they charge.
RIP OFFS, RIP OFFS, RIP OFFS, RIP OFFS, RIP OFFS,
Ok I have finished now, I'll get off of my soapbox
-- Edited by _wombat_ on Saturday 21st of July 2012 08:14:37 AM
have not heard og Aus Spec in WA, just going to do a google search.
here they are and you can do it online, will have to check them out
http://www.ausspecs.com.au/
-- Edited by _wombat_ on Saturday 21st of July 2012 12:39:08 PM
Here's a pic of me trying glasses from the Zenni site, go on upload your own pic and try some glasses
Thanks Elvis! You look very healthy, considering.
I just spent an hour on the Zenni site, finding and checking all 6 pairs of frames that would suit my script. Unfortunately, none of the 6 frames available to me were the right size. Otherwise I could have bought my progressive glasses there for $159. Other people with less complicated needs / scripts have a much larger range of frames to choose from though.
I will stay with Aus Specs as they have a frame identical in size to the ones I wear now that are a perfect fit.
Hi kandagal
What FREE Qld Govt ones? I live in Qld and have never had free glasses.
Cheers!
Chris
you get them at the pub, just walk out with them
