3 Money Saving Reasons To Break Your Designer Prescription Glasses

When it comes to purchasing prescription eyeglasses, we are all pretty used to just doing what has always been done…make an appointment, get an eye exam, and pick out a pair of glasses from the options the store gives you. And being that these are one of the few “investments” you will walk around with, (on your face no less), you figure… “What The Hell?! Let Me Splurge On A Pair Of Designer Frames.”

Suggested Reading: The Money Saving Tip Your Eye Doctor Doesn’t Want You To Know

Don’t feel bad, I used to do the same thing too…

But in this technology driven era, there are a ton of money saving reasons why you should seriously reconsider your entire routine. Here are the 3 that have changed my life forever…

1. Your Designer Glasses Are The Same As The Ones At Target (Well, Most Of Time)

Now I’m not saying this to be a killjoy, but I would put money on it that those fancy Tiffany & Co. frames that you are wearing were made by the same eyewear company that distributed the ones sold at Target Optical. According to this 60 Minutes Interview, the world’s biggest eyewear brand Luxottica dominates the industry.

Luxottica.com lists their extensive portfolio of licenses spanning from big names such as Prada to more affordable brands such as Vogue Eyewear. Their brand extends to several retail optical chains such as Lenscrafters, Pearle Vision, Sunglass Hut, and Target Optical. It is estimated that Luxottica controls over 70% of the world’s major eyewear brands. This is why various frames look SO similar.

SO, now that you know this, does it still feel good handing over $400 for those “exclusive” frames when the company that makes them also makes the almost identical pair of $50 frames on the bottom shelf?

2. The Brand Of Your Frames Really Doesn’t “Matter” To Anyone 

While we have been sold the concept of glasses being jewelry for your face, at the end of the day, they are still just glasses. And out of the 20+ years that I have been wearing them, I have been asked for the brand of my frames less than a dozen times. Very few people actually cared about the brand so much as about the shape of the frames themselves. This led me to believe that the only person that really cared what brand my frames were was me. And it just wasn’t worth spending the extra $200-$300 for a label on the side of the arm.

In addition, of the accessories to splurge on, designer frames are not the ones with the highest resale value. Handbags, shoes, wallets, even designer keychains are easier to re-sell than frames. The cost associated with replacing the lenses for a new owner is quite high. This is one of the more important factors that made me reconsider my purchases.

3. Quitting Your Routine Could Save You HUNDREDS

Now for the good part. While Luxottica may have a stronghold on the market, there are still many affordable options available online. I know, I know…who wants to purchase frames and lenses online? Well, I did and I’m never going back.

A couple of years ago, I ordered my first pair of prescription glasses online from Bonlook. It’s a fashion forward website that features a variety of frame and custom lenses for $99 or less. They have a pretty awesome referral program where you can earn referral rewards by sharing the site with your friends to use as credits towards future purchases. I made a short video review of my purchases a couple of years back that you can check out below or by clicking HERE.

There are quite a few other websites that offer similar lens and frame services in the $95-$99 range including Warby Parker and Eyefly. Warby Parker is unique as they allow you to pick out a couple of pairs of frames to try at home before ordering. They also have retail stores that offer extended services. Eyefly is another popular stylish brand that has been around for some time. They recently launched an affordable designer series from Christian Siriano ,(The insanely popular Project Runway Vet and red carpet go-to for the celebs, known for his classic black frames.), which is proving to be a hit.

But what about the ads that you see pop up every now and then for prescription frames for $6.95? Are they real? Well, I tested one of them out and can tell you that they are real…and AWESOME!!

I recently ordered 3 frames with lenses from Zenni Optical for less than $40. This included a pair of prescription sunglasses! Each pair had anti-glare coating and the option of tinting or transition lenses. I received my frames in a timely manner and they all fit perfectly. And yes, one of them cost less than $7!

So now that you know the “truth”…How Should You Go About Making The Switch?

Here are 2 quick tips to make the transition smoother:

1.  Ask your optometrist for your written prescription.

Some vision centers try to give you a hard time about getting it in writing because they want you purchase your frames from them. However, do not get suckered into the sales pitch! You paid for your vision to be tested fair and square, so the written prescription is rightfully yours. If you need more information on what a written vision prescription looks like and how to use the measurement, click HERE.

2. Learn how to measure your Pupillary Distance (PD)

This was the hardest part of the entire online ordering process. To make sure that your glasses fit properly, you have to provide the website with the measurement of the space between the pupils of your eyes. Yes, this sounds extra complicated, but it really isn’t so bad. You can do it by yourself or with the help of another person. Look over the entire measurement process by clicking HERE.

So, have I convinced you to quit your habit yet? Well, check out my video review of Bonlook below and think it over. If you want to check out Zenni Optical (which really has frames as low as $6.95) click HERE.

FTC DISCLOSURE: Some of the links in this post are referral links. If you have any questions please visit my Disclosure Policy page.