The cheapskate's guide to buying eyeglasses

I recently had my eyes examined for a new prescription and had to purchase two pairs of glasses – 

the regular kind and sunglasses. I bought them at the optical shop that adjoined the eye doctor's office 

since it was convenient. I had purchased glasses "eyewear" at this place before,
and after this experience, vowed I would never return because a) the two opticians annoy 

the heck out of me and b) eyewear is a giant rip-off and I knew there had to be a better way.

Leslie Stahl did an eye-opening report on glasses for 60 Minutes awhile back. 

If you haven't seen it, here's a link. In summary, a single company – Luxottica – 

owns just about everything related to eyewear today: frame manufacturing, retail optical stores, even

vision insurance. Their dominance in the market allows them to control prices, which are obscenely high. 

Luxottica argues that consumers are willing to pay a lot for something they wear on their faces 15 hours a day. 

Well, I'm not. And neither is Smooch.

After receiving my new glasses from the local optician, I did a little research

regarding online eyewear shopping so that I would be prepared for the next time.

I read lots of reviews and recommendations and checked out various online retailers.

The process seemed easy enough, a few of the places let you order frames to try on for free, 

and most of the prices were so low that I wanted to buy a pair just to see if they were any good. 

I had my prescription from the eye doctor in hand, which included almost all of the information I needed

to order glasses online. (Eye doctors are required by law to provide you with your prescription.)

Missing was the "PD" – pupilary distance – information.
I had to sign a waiver to get that from the very judgmental optician,
who suspected what I was up to and made it clear he didn't approve.
So be it. I didn't approve of his prices, so I'd say we were even.

Anyway, I went to EyeBuy Direct, found a pair of frames I liked, took some very careful measurements 

of my store-bought glasses to be sure I was ordering the right size, and entered the prescription information. 

Since I cannot live without sunglasses and have been known to lose mine for days at a time, 

I added tinting. These would be my spare pair.

They arrived in my mailbox in a week's time. I love them. The quality is excellent,

and I can see just as well in them as in my store-bought glasses.

And oh by the way, they were 842 percent cheaper!

Let us compare. The top two pairs were purchased locally. 

The non-designer frames were on the low end of the price scale; the lenses are single vision 

and I was charged extra for polycarbonate and scratchcoating and the sunglass tinting.

The bottom pair is from the online retailer.

If Smooch should accidentally break my glasses while I do stupid things 

like make her wear them for pictures, no worries. 

I know where I can get a new pair for less than 50 bucks.