Glasses

[Mike 1017]

Has anyone bought glasses from Walmart? The one where the Optometrist works from.

Mike

[espo]

The price might be right, but your sight is nothing to take a short cut on. I have found a good Optometrist will have far better equipment and the ability to know how to do the required testing to give you the best outcome for your sight needs. They will be checking far more than what lenses prescription is needed to correct any vision issues.  

[BlackSheep214]

God, no.... I would never get my eyeglasses there. They're fine for your everyday, el cheapo reading glasses. Not prescription glasses.

[Classicgas]

I've gotten them there. No issues. Good customer service, quality was fine. I'd buy from them before I'd buy from vision world.

[Rodent]

Spouse got some there a couple years ago, they were fine. I suspect that they are contractors, not WalMart employees, but I don't know for sure. They have a real optometrist, just like the other places.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Like most things in life, your experience at any particular service establishment is going to depend 100% on the competence, skill, and conscientiousness of the individual who does the work for you on any given day, whether it be a mechanic, an optometrist, a plumber, or a plastic surgeon.

Diplomas and plaques on the wall are no guarantee of competence either.

For instance, I can think of two guys right off hand who have every ASE and I-CAR certification it's possible to get, and I wouldn't let either one of 'em work on a junk lawnmower I'd bought at a pawn shop for $20.

Ask people in your location if the WallyWorld optometrist there is any good. 

Edited February 12, 2024 by Ace-Garageguy
TYPO

[Zoom Zoom]

In the early 2000's I got my exam/2 pairs of glasses at a local (fairly new in a wealthier suburb) Walmart with a competent optical department. The sunglasses are long gone, but the regular glasses are still in use. My distance vision has improved over time and the old glasses are best for watching my TV in my living room and are good for use as a potential backup. They're actually better than the glasses I got a few years ago from Warby Parker locally, though the sunglasses I got from Warby Parker are perfect. The Walmart pair have also outlasted several pairs from Lens Crafters.

YMMV. Next time I'll use Costco. 

[imarriedawitch]

6 hours ago, espo said:

The price might be right, but your sight is nothing to take a short cut on. I have found a good Optometrist will have far better equipment and the ability to know how to do the required testing to give you the best outcome for your sight needs. They will be checking far more than what lenses prescription is needed to correct any vision issues.  

Exactly. I see my optometrist once a year. When she recognized I had developed glaucoma she referred me to a specialist who I see once a year. The appointments are staggered so that I see either the optometrist or the specialist every six months. The specialist treats the glaucoma and a developing cataract. When I told the specialist I was experiencing some double vision I was referred to another specialist who determined I now require prism lenses. Each doctor keeps the others aware of what they are doing. 

[slusher]

Lens Crafters I had one lens fall out and bounce couldn’t find  It,  They wouldn’t  help me and after 3 pairs I bought in the past. So i promised I would never be back and I haven’t …

Edited February 13, 2024 by slusher
Typo

[Bugatti Fan]

Is the description on here Optometrist being used instead of regular Optician who tests eyesight to arrange spectacles to be dispensed?

My son in law is a qualified Optometrist and therefore able to do certain procedures directly on eyes that a normal Optician would not be allowed to.

[Mike 1017]

9 hours ago, slusher said:

Lens Crafters I had one lens fall out and bounce couldn’t find  It,  They wouldn’t  help me and after 3 pairs I bought in the pas. So i promised I would never be back and I haven’t …

My wife had problems with Lens Crafters also she will never go back.

[Mike 1017]

Thanks, guys, for your comments. My insurance company does not cover glasses from Walmart. The list of providers did include a family owned and operated business in my town. I have an appointment for this Saturday This sounds much better than Walmart.

Mike

[NYLIBUD]

Sorry,I didn’t really read any of the reply’s,but in case no one mentioned it,try Costco,or BJs.Ive bought a bunch of good quality eye wear from Costco,and they’re not expensive.

[espo]

On 2/11/2024 at 8:08 PM, imarriedawitch said:

Exactly. I see my optometrist once a year. When she recognized I had developed glaucoma she referred me to a specialist who I see once a year. The appointments are staggered so that I see either the optometrist or the specialist every six months. The specialist treats the glaucoma and a developing cataract. When I told the specialist I was experiencing some double vision I was referred to another specialist who determined I now require prism lenses. Each doctor keeps the others aware of what they are doing. 

 

2 hours ago, Mike 1017 said:

Thanks, guys, for your comments. My insurance company does not cover glasses from Walmart. The list of providers did include a family owned and operated business in my town. I have an appointment for this Saturday This sounds much better than Walmart.

Mike

Every one of our bodies and especially your vision is different. I was blessed with 20/20 vision from birth and distances as well as close, model building, was never a problem for me until about 40 years of age. I admit to taking it all for granted since I had never experienced any challenges like so many of my friends. In my case some of the changes for myself were related to my extensive time looking at computer screens having to do with my work. I'm sure age was a good part of the issue as well. The Optometrists that I have been treated by since have all been excellent and would explain everything they were seeing with my issues and even would go over the x-rays of my eyes and would explain everything that they were concerned about. Did you know you can have a freckle on you eyeball? A couple of years ago during my annual exams it was pointed out that I was at a point where the prescription for reading and up-close work was no longer going to be effective, and I was needing Cataract surgery.  The lenses that are available today with Cataract surgery are mazing. Your options, if at this point, are best discussed with the surgeon. The pain was all but nonexistent and with only a few daily eye drops, something I have an issue with, but I survived. Your vision, especially as we age, is something that requires monitoring as closely as any other aspect of our lives.      

[Nataski91]

I got my glasses from Walmart where the optometrist works. It was quick and affordable, but the frames felt pretty generic—just something practical. Later, I checked out https://oyosight.com/collections/frame-on-eyeglasses and loved how they talk about glasses being more than just medical gear but a way to show personality. Swapping to something that felt more ‘me’ really changed how I feel wearing them every day, way more confident and comfortable.

Edited May 30 by Nataski91

[Monty]

I know it's easy to dunk on Walmart for any number of things, but I'll offer a great counterexample to the usual noise.  When I first moved back to this tiny town, my contacts were in need of replacement.  I asked around and was referred to a fairly expensive place, but I figured they're probably the best available.  $600.00 later, I could see well out of one eye and hardly at all out the other.  They claimed that was the best they could do for me and left it at that.  I'm still not sure what happened there.

Long story short, I ended up going to Walmart, encountered a great eye doctor, and got fantastic lenses for around $300.00.  

I'm headed in to Walmart right now for a vision test since these lenses are nearing the end of their prescription.  

[OldTrucker]

Had to go back with my first pair.

Wasn't there doctors fault, she was great. Even suggested I go to a specialist because she saw the beginning of a cataract in one eye.

One lens was ground off center. No one grinds lenses locally or in the country these days it seems.

[espo]

32 minutes ago, OldTrucker said:

Had to go back with my first pair.

Wasn't there doctors fault, she was great. Even suggested I go to a specialist because she saw the beginning of a cataract in one eye.

One lens was ground off center. No one grinds lenses locally or in the country these days it seems.

Will your insurance cover the cost of replacing the lens in your eye for your Cataract surgery? There are extra cost options when doing Cataract surgery and whoever is doing that should be able to better explain those options.  I had mine done so that I only need glasses for reading now. 

[bobss396]

I have a difficult prescription to fill. They are high index lenses and nor cheap. The focal measurements have to be EXACT

I had a pair made by Davis Optical, they were awful. They made me another pair... even worse. I got a refund through my vision plan.

I found a local independent shop that was excellent. I got a few pairs there, the owner was meticulous about everything. The shop has changed hands, so I am leery.