Zenni & First pair of eyeglasses

[Chuck]

My first pair of glasses, and I think it's going to come from Zenni.
Yep...an eyeglass newbie. Imagine my joy when I came upon this forum!

Now, here's the deal. I'm very unhappy about needing glasses at
all...and especially the fact that I need bifocals. So, I want them
to be as invisible as possible...rimless, and progressive. My plan is
to buy 3 pairs; an $8 reading pair, an $8 distance pair, and a more
expensive progressive pair. BUT, I'm not sure I'm even asking the
right questions, much less providing the right answers.

I have my prescription, and have learned how to read it. I can fill
in the blanks on the web site. And, I have my L and R pupil distance,
independently verified at 2 different stores. The numbers are in
perfect agreement. So, I suppose my first question is, is it a good
idea to be buying progressives over the internet, and from Zenni?

My second question is more style oriented. Do the memory plastic
hingeless rimless frames look good in person? And, would a clear pair
look right on a man? I can't try on anything resembling them,
locally...NO retailer carries anything in plastic rimless, within 75
miles of my home. The closest I can get is extremely thin titanium
rimless, with a hinge...and it seems that the hingeless would look
different.

My third questions is, is this approach a good idea? I often find
glowing praise for Zenni glasses, posted the day the glasses
arrive...but almost noone posts a "6 month followup" review. Do their
glasses last, in daily use?

And, my fourth question is: What other questions should I be
asking?

Like I said...I'm new at this. I've read that a first pair of glasses
is always a learning experience, as you determine what works, what
doesn't, what looks good, what annoys you, etc. So, I definitely want
to keep the first pair cheap. WalMart quoted me $400 for their
cheapest pair of progressives...and then I found this group!

Thank you for any guidance you can provide.

-- Chuck Knight

P.S. I have a real psychological hangup about needing/wearing
glasses. Any hints about how to deal with it? I know I need
them...but am so ashamed that I need them, that I keep putting off
their purchase. (It's been almost a month)

[KayakerNC]

What I would do, assuming that you have tried frames locally and know
what looks good on your face, and the size temple-arms and bridge you
need, would be to get 2 of the $8 pairs.
The 1st in regular bifocals, with the AR, cost $30.95.
The 2nd in progressive with the AR, cost $42.95.
Different frame colors, and you have backups while you see what best
meets your needs. (I could NOT get used to progressive lenses, your
experience may vary). Both pair for under $80 including shipping.
Then, after a month or two, you can experiment with different styles
such as rimless, with the lens you like. Personally I found the
rimless hingeless to be very flimsy, and didn't care for them at all.
Kayaker

[Doug Herr]

> Now, here's the deal. I'm very unhappy about needing glasses at
> all...and especially the fact that I need bifocals.

You might want to tell us your prescription, since that might change
the recommendations. I have an "ADD" value for mine, yet don't really
need bi or progressive. I did just get a pair of bi-focals from Zenni
as an experiment, but from my first tests, I bet I will be sticking
with my current method of using the regular/distance pair primarily
and only switching to the reading glasses for extended reading and
computer work.

The key is that I can do that based on my low prescription values,
which let me read with either my regular or my reading pair:

Sph Cyl Axis Add
-0.50 -0.25 165 +0.75 OD
plano -0.75 040 +0.75 OS

So, the above shows that my primary issue is the astigmatism, and thus
I get good improvement with either regular or reading glasses made
from that prescription. But since the sphere values are small (zero
for left eye), I can live without the magnification of the reading
portion if I wish. Since I do a lot of reading, computer work and
general craft work, I like to use the reading glasses to improve those
activities. What I have found with the new bi-focals is that I don't
like the limited field for the two vision fields in them. I like the
large field of the distance and reading glasses and am more willing to
deal with the bother of having multiple sets of glasses around to keep
that larger visual field.

[Fred Di]

I think progressives are oversold.

Aside from being very expensive, there are issues with getting
accostomed to them and learning how to look through the lenses. One
distance and one reaing pair works better for me. Also someone else
mentioned "mono vision" where one lense is cut for distances, and the
other for reading. With a very light perscription it seems logical,
though I haven't tried it, and I'm not sure it's recomended by
professionals.

[powrwrap]

> On Dec 22, 11:23 pm, Chuck <chuckkni...@gmail.com> wrote:

> Now, here's the deal.  I'm very unhappy about needing glasses at
> all...and especially the fact that I need bifocals.  So, I want them
> to be as invisible as possible...rimless, and progressive.  My plan is
> to buy 3 pairs; an $8 reading pair, an $8 distance pair, and a more
> expensive progressive pair.  BUT, I'm not sure I'm even asking the
> right questions, much less providing the right answers.
>
> I have my prescription, and have learned how to read it.  I can fill
> in the blanks on the web site.  And, I have my L and R pupil distance,
> independently verified at 2 different stores.  The numbers are in
> perfect agreement.  So, I suppose my first question is, is it a good
> idea to be buying progressives over the internet, and from Zenni?

Sounds like you've done some research into prescriptions, frames, etc.
If you do the same amount of research into getting the progressives to
fit your face properly, yes, it's a good idea to buy progressives over
the internet.

> My second question is more style oriented.  Do the memory plastic
> hingeless rimless frames look good in person?  And, would a clear pair
> look right on a man?  I can't try on anything resembling them,
> locally...NO retailer carries anything in plastic rimless, within 75
> miles of my home.  The closest I can get is extremely thin titanium
> rimless, with a hinge...and it seems that the hingeless would look
> different.

I can't speak to this question.

> My third questions is, is this approach a good idea?  I often find
> glowing praise for Zenni glasses, posted the day the glasses
> arrive...but almost noone posts a "6 month followup" review.  Do their
> glasses last, in daily use?

I've got a set of rimless progressives from Zenni I got in September
that are holding up very well. I faithfully put them in a case when
not in use and I only clean them with a lens cloth and lens cleaner.
I've since bought two more pair, distance and readers that are working
out nicely.

> And, my fourth question is:  What other questions should I be
> asking?

Not sure about what questions you should ask, but you should be
certain that the frame size you order will fit your face. The best way
to do this is to go to an optician and try on some frames, noting the
lens size, bridge size, and temple arm size of the ones that fit you
the best.

Be aware that rimless glasses give you a choice of lens shapes and
sizes, so the overall size of the glasses will depend on the lens you
select. Try to match the Zenni lens size/shape as best as you can to
the ones you try in the optical store.

Also, be sure that you order readers that will work with your
prescription. For example, you don't merely use the ADD value of your
progressive prescription to order readers.

> Like I said...I'm new at this.  I've read that a first pair of glasses
> is always a learning experience, as you determine what works, what
> doesn't, what looks good, what annoys you, etc.  So, I definitely want
> to keep the first pair cheap.  WalMart quoted me $400 for their
> cheapest pair of progressives...and then I found this group!

Your plan of ordering three sets is sound.

> P.S.  I have a real psychological hangup about needing/wearing
> glasses.  Any hints about how to deal with it?  I know I need
> them...but am so ashamed that I need them, that I keep putting off
> their purchase.  (It's been almost a month)

Hey, I hear ya! I've needed glasses and been wearing them for four
years now and I still leave the house sometimes without them.

The best way to deal with it is to find a style that you like and
order a similar style online. I thought I'd look older or not as
attractive with glasses but it's not true. Think about other people
you've seen with glasses that you thought were attractive. The glasses
weren't a barrier, were they?

I have the same attitude as you--the less of the frame you see the
more invisible the glasses--which is why I bought rimless progressives
and half-rim readers and distance frames.

Buy the glasses and wear them everyday. The progressives will take a
couple days to get used to wearing (or adapting as they say in the
biz), but soon the will become second nature to you. Good luck and be
sure to report back with your experiences.

[Charles Knight]

Is there something wrong with the group?  I've posted a number of attempts at a reply, and nothing has come through in 2 days.

My prescription is actually VERY close to yours...surprisingly close, actually.  I hate the idea of bifocals, but am coming to grips with it.

     -- Chuck Knight

[Chuck]

My prescription is as follows:
Sph Cyl Axis Add
+0.50 -0.50 106 +1.00 OD
+0.25 -0.75 086 +1.00 OS

Light, but sufficiently problematic that I get migraines.

> general craft work, I like to use the reading glasses to improve those
> activities. What I have found with the new bi-focals is that I don't
> like the limited field for the two vision fields in them. I like the
> large field of the distance and reading glasses and am more willing to
> deal with the bother of having multiple sets of glasses around to keep
> that larger visual field.

Another good suggestion.

I know very little about glasses, as I've never worn them, before.
But, this suggestion makes sense too. My initial intent was to have a
single pair of glasses I wore for everything...something like my
parents have done, through most of my life. But, at Zenni prices, I
can imagine having more than one pair, and matching colors, etc. Not
sure I want to keep track of multiple pairs -- I fix computers at
other people's homes (house calls) and I would have to keep track of
them.

A question for you -- did you buy bifocals, or progressives? And,
other than the restricted field of view, do they work right? I just
can't imagine, given what optometrists have told me about fitting
bifocals, being able to order them successfully off the internet...yet
many people say they're very happy with them.

I guess I just need a little convincing...my fears, assuaged.

-- Chuck Knight

[Chuck]

My prescription is close to yours, actually...

Sph Cyl Axis Add
+0.50 -0.50 106 +1.00 OD

-0.25 -0.75 086 +1.00 OS

I left this information in an earlier message, but I'm not sure why it
didn't show up. Maybe it had to do with the Christmas time
confusion...

Anyway, having had time to think about this...I may just buy 2 cheap
pairs...one for reading, and one for distance, and get the $8 or $10
frames. I can decide on bifocals, later, if I actually require
them...I'm beginning to think that doctors are a bit overzealous with
the high-priced options.

-- Chuck Knight

[warhorse]

> I just can't imagine, given what optometrists have told me about fitting
> bifocals, being able to order them successfully off the internet.

I got my first pair of progressives at age 32 (talk about mortified!).
I did some research, went and got the cheapest pair I could, and after
3 remakes and a hundred or so fittings was labeled a "non-adapt". I
don't think it is a special skill to fit them, more knowing what
questions to ask/ consider.

For example, they can cut them to have a larger reading area, or a
larger distance area. Depends on what you use them for. Things I
learned the hard way: I have a very small face/ eyes - so when they
made me get a frame with a 38mm height, I had a terrible time trying
to see out of them. I can't wear progressives in a frame that is
really flexible. I put a winter hat on, the glasses shift ever so
slightly, and I'm hitting the frame on every door I go through.

Most importantly - some of the pricier progressive lenses are worth
the money! I was able to not wear my progressives for 2 years, but I
*have* to get them now. I'm making sure I get a wide corridor lens
that can go in a smaller frame. I would have gotten the Varilux
before, but I couldn't spend $500 on glasses from a store.

Whatever route you choose - good luck!

Liz

[Charles Knight]

Well, I work on computers for a living.  While I don't particularly want to keep track of multiple pairs, the idea of tilting my head back to see a monitor 4 or 5 times a day (I make house calls) is kinda' silly.

I might just buy a pair of distance and a pair of reading glasses, for the time being.  If I get sick of hauling around 2 pairs, I'll just break down and order the progressives.  Vanity prevents me from having a line, at only 37 years old.  It's bad enough that I need glasses...those would *really* be grandpa glasses.

Maybe I'll do it as part of my computer class -- we can order them online during the ecommerce section, and I can call it an educational expense!  ;-)

     -- Chuck Knight

P. S.  I seem to remember a hip-holster for eyeglasses, something like the one I have for my cell phone.  Is this type of thing still available, or is this just a remnant of a distant past?  And, is this a good way to carry them with me?

Unlike women, we guys don't have a purse to carry our stuff.

Heck, at the rate I'm adding devices, I'll need a bandoleer belt!

P.P.S.  I just cannot decide if rectangular or round frames look best on me!  They're both acceptable, but I'm not sure...let's face it, I'm still at the stage that they're "glasses" and are therefore evil.

http://www.chuckknight.com/pics/IMAGE_066.jpg
http://www.chuckknight.com/pics/IMAGE_067.jpg
http://www.chuckknight.com/pics/IMAGE_068.jpg

[undone]

Personally, I like the first pic you posted, although all three would
work. I especially got a kick out of the guy sitting behind you to
your lower left in the third pic... he either thinks you're nuts, or
he is your dad, or both! Thanks for making me chuckle! Yes, glasses
are a necessary evil, but you'll get used to them and may even grow to
like them!

I've ordered several pair of glasses now from various online vendors
and have posted my experience in this thread:
http://groups.google.com/group/glassyeyes/browse_thread/thread/acdd3e44628714a8?hl=en

I work all day on a computer and have found that my intermediate
vision glasses (clarity from 1 to 4 feet out) have been the best bet
for me. I require multiple vision correction (bifocals/progressives/
whatever) and have tried wearing bifocals and progressives. Both limit
my field of vision or cause me to tilt my head this way and that...
leaving me with a headache. Yes, having an all-in-one pair of glasses
is convenient, but since I do carry a purse ( !! ), it is no problem
to carry my computer glasses with me (along with the 4 other pairs I
currently own!) and make a quick exchange when I need to.

My next purchase is going to be for monovision. Since my computer
glasses have worked out so well, I am going to have my dominant eye
fit for distance and the other eye for intermediate. For the real
close up work, I can still see relatively well without any correction
at all.

I wish you the best, Chuck, in your online glasses adventure!

-Kathy

On Dec 27, 11:38 pm, "Charles Knight" <chuckkni...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Well, I work on computers for a living. While I don't particularly want to
> keep track of multiple pairs, the idea of tilting my head back to see a
> monitor 4 or 5 times a day (I make house calls) is kinda' silly.
>
> I might just buy a pair of distance and a pair of reading glasses, for the
> time being. If I get sick of hauling around 2 pairs, I'll just break down
> and order the progressives. Vanity prevents me from having a line, at only
> 37 years old. It's bad enough that I need glasses...those would *really* be
> grandpa glasses.
>
> Maybe I'll do it as part of my computer class -- we can order them online
> during the ecommerce section, and I can call it an educational expense! ;-)
>
> -- Chuck Knight
>
> P. S. I seem to remember a hip-holster for eyeglasses, something like the
> one I have for my cell phone. Is this type of thing still available, or is
> this just a remnant of a distant past? And, is this a good way to carry
> them with me?
>
> Unlike women, we guys don't have a purse to carry our stuff.
>
> Heck, at the rate I'm adding devices, I'll need a bandoleer belt!
>
> P.P.S. I just cannot decide if rectangular or round frames look best on
> me! They're both acceptable, but I'm not sure...let's face it, I'm still at
> the stage that they're "glasses" and are therefore evil.
>

> http://www.chuckknight.com/pics/IMAGE_066.jpghttp://www.chuckknight.com/pics/IMAGE_067.jpghttp://www.chuckknight.com/pics/IMAGE_068.jpg

[undone]

> P. S. I seem to remember a hip-holster for eyeglasses, something like the
> one I have for my cell phone. Is this type of thing still available, or is
> this just a remnant of a distant past? And, is this a good way to carry
> them with me?

I've not heard of this type of glasses carrier before, but it makes
sense. You may also want to consider carrying something the men are
calling a "man purse". Some look like a book bag with a large flap in
the front. A dear friend of mine that goes to my church carries one
all the time. He's one of those macho types (owns his own welding
company and, for fun and exercise, engages in boxing!), and yet has
absolutely no problem carrying his man purse with him wherever he
goes. Here's a link to a site that features some: http://ganley.org/bags/bags.html
(I have no affiliation with this organization, btw) Best wishes!

[Doug Herr]

On Dec 24, 11:14 am, Chuck <chuckkni...@gmail.com> wrote:
> My prescription is as follows:
> Sph Cyl Axis Add
> +0.50 -0.50 106 +1.00 OD
> +0.25 -0.75 086 +1.00 OS
>
> Light, but sufficiently problematic that I get migraines.

[snip]

> A question for you -- did you buy bifocals, or progressives? And,
> other than the restricted field of view, do they work right?

Sorry for the delay in answering, had not kept up well with the
group.

I got simple bi-focals since they are supposed to be easier to
get used to. They do seem to work just fine. My eyes quickly
and easily adjust when I lower them to use the magnified area.

The experience with the new bi-focals does make me think that
progressives would be good for me, but I am doing well with the
single vision setup that I am using now, so don't think I will
order more "testing glasses" just yet.

Given the work you do, I do wonder if bi-focal or progressive
might be a good fit for you, but I bet that just regular
"distance" glasses would be a good beginning for you since they
would address the astigmatism.

Another idea is to get "computer" glasses where you order a pair
of regular "distance" glasses based on your prescription *but*
alter it by +.25 or +.5. This is a little trick that you are not
supposed to be able to do since you are deviating from your
prescription, but many of the online stores will allow.

[Doug Herr]

On Dec 27, 9:38 pm, "Charles Knight" <chuckkni...@gmail.com> wrote:
[snip]

> http://www.chuckknight.com/pics/IMAGE_066.jpg
> http://www.chuckknight.com/pics/IMAGE_067.jpg
> http://www.chuckknight.com/pics/IMAGE_068.jpg

For my vote, 66/rimless for first option, but only because they are
less visible. The rimless are less sturdy tho, I have a pair with a
chip that is my at home pair now. Dropped them and was happy that
they did not have more damage, but a rimmed version would have done
better.

Second choice of those three is 68, the oval option. That seems to
look "correct" for your face/hair/etc.

[Chuck]

> >http://www.chuckknight.com/pics/IMAGE_066.jpg
> >http://www.chuckknight.com/pics/IMAGE_067.jpg
> >http://www.chuckknight.com/pics/IMAGE_068.jpg
>
> For my vote, 66/rimless for first option, but only because they are
> less visible. The rimless are less sturdy tho, I have a pair with a
> chip that is my at home pair now. Dropped them and was happy that
> they did not have more damage, but a rimmed version would have done
> better.
>
> Second choice of those three is 68, the oval option. That seems to
> look "correct" for your face/hair/etc.

Hmmm...more people like the oval than the rectangular. Surprising,
considering how round my face is.

Anyway, thanks for letting me know that the more expensive rimless
glasses are less sturdy. An interesting combination of
features...flimsy, but pricey. They sure look (or don't look, really)
nice, when worn, though.

Back to my intentions. My plans seem to have changed. I'm planning
to order 2 pairs...both from the $8 selection at Zenni. Happily,
those oval glasses I tried on are within 1mm of the dimensions of the
oval frames in Zenni's $8 page. I'm going to look for a rectangular
pair, too, and see how they look.

Oval will be the distance prescription, and rectangular will be the
reading glasses. Seems like a good way to try Zenni, without racking
up too big of a bill. If these work out well, I may consider their
progressives...and for that, I think I'll probably go rimless.

Thanks for the advice!

-- Chuck Knight

[thriftyM]

> My third questions is, is this approach a good idea? I often find
> glowing praise for Zenni glasses, posted the day the glasses
> arrive...but almost noone posts a "6 month followup" review. Do their
> glasses last, in daily use?

I've owned two pairs of Zenni's rimless progressives for less than two
months, and I paid less than $70.00 for each pair. They're thinner and
lighter than any other glasses I've owned, but I like that. They don't
feel like they're just going to fall apart in my hands, and I expect
they'll last until I'm ready for a new prescription and probably even
longer. I'm sure if I sat on them they'd be totaled, but so would one
of my $300.00 pairs.

> Like I said...I'm new at this. I've read that a first pair of glasses
> is always a learning experience, as you determine what works, what
> doesn't, what looks good, what annoys you, etc. So, I definitely want
> to keep the first pair cheap. WalMart quoted me $400 for their
> cheapest pair of progressives...and then I found this group!

I've been wearing progressives since I started wearing glasses 12
years ago. I didn't want a lined bifocal, and I didn't want to have to
keep putting them on, taking them off, or switching glasses. I can see
for reading, computer work, watching TV, driving, just about anything.

Some people do have trouble getting used to progressives. One never
knows until they try and give them a chance. It took a week or two for
me to get used to them. Make sure to order a lens with the minimum
recommended height. Zenni recommends at least 32mm.

> P.S. I have a real psychological hangup about needing/wearing
> glasses. Any hints about how to deal with it? I know I need
> them...but am so ashamed that I need them, that I keep putting off
> their purchase. (It's been almost a month)

I've always hated having to wear glasses. I was told I was a good
candidate for contacts, but I didn't feel like dealing with the issues
that go along with them. With each new prescription I'd get one
neutral boring pair with no personality that would go with any outfit
I was wearing. Zenni made it affordable for me to get two additional
pairs, both rimless progressives which I have never tried until now.
It's the first time I've actually been happy with my glasses. My
$274.00 Wal-Mart pair now sits in my bedside table. Since you can buy
several different pairs from Zenni for the same price (a little more
or less) as one pair from a store, I'm sure you'll end up with
something you'll be very comfortable with.