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| I chose these eyeglasses not for color or shape, but for lightness. They are flexible frames; fortunately, they suit my face. |
At 22 years old, I discovered I was nearsighted! You don’t know until someone tries to show you something far away you can’t see, and an eye exam confirms it. I’ve been buying single vision eyeglasses ever since ... to drive!About 4 years ago, my eye doctor gave me the choice of getting single distance or progressive lenses to improve my nearsighted vision too. I asked him if our eyes stay stronger if we don’t wear glasses. He said, “No, you just get used to not seeing.” :)
At the time, I chose single vision because to this day, I can read a book and a computer screen without glasses, so I thought I’d rarely reach for them. Humans are inherently lazy! Now in 2026, I decided to get progressive lenses because my vision will only decline, and I don’t buy new glasses every year. My friend, Rhonda, told me that after a period of learning, she is so used to her progressive lenses that she doesn’t notice the adjustments her eyes make to change from near to long-distance vision. Rhonda loves her progressive lenses! Therefore, I'm sold!
Who knows what all I’m not seeing of our world?
This brings me to the subject of today’s blog: Why are eyeglasses so damn expensive?
The answer is: Eyeglasses are costly in the USA mainly because a single dominant conglomerate controls most of the eyewear design, manufacturing, retail chains, and vision insurance market. That company’s name is EssilorLuxottica. They own brands such as Ray-Ban, Oakley, Prada, and Chanel + massive retail chains like LensCrafters and Pearle Vision + vision insurance providers like EyeMed.
Decades ago, I bought decent frames in optical shops with names I didn’t recognize. Today I see nothing but famous designer names at eyeglass retailers. Designers outsource frame manufacturing while charging licensing fees for their logos. Consumers have the illusion of more choice and pay up to 20 times more than the cost of manufacturing their frames. Add to this the legitimate expense of brick-and-mortar overhead. It all adds up to ticket shock! You rarely spend less than $800 for new frames + lenses + lens treatment add-ons.
Since my like-new titanium semi-frameless rims are lighter and more attractive than anything I wish to pay for in the 5 eyeglass shops I visited including what was on display at my eye clinic, all I really want to buy is new lenses. That’s when I began to feel like I was dealing with racketeers!
Here are the practices and prices I encountered:
1) Cohen Optical - For single vision lenses with scratch and anti-glare protection: After subtracting a so-called $200 discount -- Cost: $499. I don’t believe that price is discounted!
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| Olin Frameless at Warby Parker |
2) Warby Parker - This merchant requires customers to buy both frames and lenses. They won’t replace lenses on frames you bring in for the stated reason: they lack the tools. I’m skeptical of this explanation, but I also think Warby Parker has a transparent pricing system with an itemized estimate, so customers know exactly what they’ll spend for new eyeglasses. I like W.P.’s $200 Olin Frameless rims I saw on display better than my own frames; however, since I don’t wear my eyeglasses 24/7, I can live with my old frames and pass on the $199 Olin frames. Cost: Warby Parker’s progressive lenses start at $295 to $325, and this price includes both the frames and the multifocal lenses. If you need new frames, not bad.
3) LensCrafters - For single vision lenses with scratch and anti-glare protection: LensCrafters will replace lenses on frames you bring in. Consumers choose 1 of 2 types of glare protection. For my estimate, I opted for the cheaper one and didn’t completely understand what the better glare protection offered. Frankly, I was annoyed by the two tiers. Overcomplicated: Give us the better anti-glare at the better price! Nonetheless, I also think the sales associates at LensCrafters are patient, nice, and straightforward, giving consumers a breakdown of costs. Cost: $309. I was in the store with another customer, and frankly I thought she (at the last minute) was sold a treatment she’ll later regret: photochromic lenses, driving up the price for lenses on her old frames that she dropped off. Her cost: $450 for lenses only.
4) Eyes & Optics NY (inside Metropolitan Hospital) - For single vision lenses with scratch and anti-glare guard: I would have to pay a $25 lab fee if not buying new frames. Speaking to the sales department by phone, I was given a lower price than in person. Cost: $425 -- the higher quote because I can’t hand my eyeglasses to the unidentified salesperson I talked to on the phone.
5) Mt Sinai NYEE at E 102nd Street - For single vision lenses with scratch and anti-glare protection; This one I only called and was quoted: Cost: $279 + an extra $25 lab fee for not buying frames.
After checking with these 5 retailers, I returned to my eye clinic at Ryan Health to get the best value available: Using my frames (which I bought about 4 years ago at the clinic), I decided on progressive lenses with scratch and anti-glare protection. Cost: $260. The flexible frames added to the expense and come with a catch: Without buying new frames (remember I bought my old frames at this clinic), nobody is responsible if the lab loses my frames. What!?! Why??? BTW: Single vision lenses would have cost me $90 + add-ons. Absolutely a bargain in this industry!
If you know the frame measurements you need + have a prescription, there are super low-cost eyeglasses for purchase online. Years ago I bought from and reviewed one of them: Eyeglasses.com, as well as, bought eyeglasses from another: Coastal.com -- both of which were good experiences. But you really have to know what to order without the benefit of trying the frames on, or having someone make frame adjustments.
Hey, maybe we’ll resort to the old magnifying glass of bygone eras to read! Starting to have its appeal, no?
Reading glasses only cost about $10 - $15 at pharmacies for folks who are farsighted.
So what did we learn today, readers? Eyewear seems to be a cash-cow, semi-scam industry😁, and consumers need to keep their guard up!
Did this blog make your head spin the way the comparisons did mine? I lost 2 days of my life that I’ll never get back; speaking of which, my fingers are crossed that my clinic's lab returns my old eyeglasses.👀🙏 If I’m not wearing them when driving, don't get into the car!
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