high SPH + plastic frames

[karel]

Hi everyone,

I'm very new to online glasses ordering, and was very excited to get
my updated glasses prescription and start ordering tonight. However, I
was very distressed to find that the drop-down menus for SPH on
several sites (eyebuydirect, 39dollarglasses, firmoo) only go up to
-10.00. my SPH are -12.50 and -11.25.

When I chatted with customer service at eyebuydirect, I was told that
they will not manufacture a lens for a plastic frame if my SPH is
higher than -10.00. I have to get either a metal or titanium frame.
The reason for this is "the glasses might break easily, or the lens
might pop out."

The last two pairs of glasses I've had have been plastic frames, and
my SPH has been over -10.00. Each pair lasted me over two years, and
never once did the lenses pop out. I pointed this out to customer
service, but to no avail.

I know there are other sites that will make lenses for plastic frames
in my prescription, but I had really wanted to order from one of those
3 sites because of their frame selection and return policy.

Has anyone else had this issue? Or do you know of any other sites
similar to those I mentioned who WILL make the glasses I want/need?

Thanks!!

-Karel

[Paul]

You'd think that with a reasonably small frame, high index lenses
wouldn't be all that thick, even with a -12 prescription.

[Chalo]

karel wrote:
>
> I
> was very distressed to find that the drop-down menus for SPH on
> several sites (eyebuydirect, 39dollarglasses, firmoo) only go up to
> -10.00. my SPH are -12.50 and -11.25.

Not everyone provides everything. I am 6'8" tall, 350 lbs, and I
can't get clothes, well... pretty much anywhere. So I deal with those
few retailers who will provide for me. You will do the same, because
that is the choice you have available.

> When I chatted with customer service at eyebuydirect, I was told that
> they will not manufacture a lens for a plastic frame if my SPH is
> higher than -10.00. I have to get either a metal or titanium frame.
> The reason for this is "the glasses might break easily, or the lens
> might pop out."

That's disappointing. Plastic frames can be very good at minimizing
the most distracting effects of thick lens edges, just by blocking the
edges from view and the transmission of light.

I don't see any reason that thick plastic lenses would be harder to
install in frames, or more easily popped out, than heavy glass lenses
that were normally and reliably used in plastic frames throughout the
60s and 70s. The glass lenses were both stiffer and heavier than any
plastic lens.

> I know there are other sites that will make lenses for plastic frames
> in my prescription, but I had really wanted to order from one of those
> 3 sites because of their frame selection and return policy.

Try Zenni. I have been very happy with my purchases from them. They
offer very strong corrections, and their customer support has been
surprisingly responsive. They are so cheap, it makes the matter of
return policy basically irrelevant to me. I can try again and again
until I get precisely what I want, and still save a ton of money over
gambling on just one pair of glasses from a local hustler.

Chalo

[Irene]

I've got a -13 prescription and do best with plastic frames--even with
high index lenses, I get irritation (and big dents) in my nose when
using glasses with nose pads. I've never had a lens pop out of the
frame, or had the frame break, and I've been wearing glasses for over
half a century.

You will find, however, that your options for ordering inexpensive
glasses on line are very limited, and you'll be hit with a surcharge
by the places that will fill your order. Zenni, for example, will
charge you an extra $9 for their basic lens--still remarkably cheap,
but it more than doubles the price of their $8 glasses. Last year I
posted a list of online places that would fill "extreme"
prescriptions. It's out of date, but you may still find it useful.
Search the board using the term "For the very nearsighted".

The bottom line is that I've had the best luck with Zenni, although a
couple of pairs were duds. Be sure to tell them not to roll the edges
(that's what gives a Coke bottle effect) and pick a frame that is
small and that does not require edge rolling. (If you pick the wrong
frame, they'll have to trim the lens edge in order to be able to fold
the glasses up.)

[Chalo]

Irene wrote:
>
> Zenni, for example, will
> charge you an extra $9 for their basic lens--still remarkably cheap,
> but it more than doubles the price of their $8 glasses.

It's worth noting that any of Zenni's thin lenses or other more
expensive lens options include high corrective power at no extra
charge.

Chalo