Even if $50 progressives aren't top ranking they would be darn useful as backups where the expensive ones can get damaged. Eyeglasses from the internet seems to be taking off - thank God! I was screwed in NYC as I was getting quotes from opticians of $750-$950, just nuts, what a dirty scam. And, yes, I realized that my reading script would keep changing for the first few years - that's a whole lot of dough.
I found this co.
http://www.replacealens.com/default.asp in 2006 after desperately searching the web for an affordable solution. Apparently they are one of the large labs your local optician sends your frames to then up-charges you 300%.
I wanted snazzy frames so I went around Manhattan tried things on listened to their ridiculous quotes, found some sharp Gucci's I liked, memorized the model/size numbers, and with some patience got them new off ebay for $75 rather than $275. My frames were big and I'm -6 and I still want to meet ladies, so I wanted thin high-index lenses. All done with anti glare anti scratch coating + shipping both ways (I sent them frames) it came to ~$375 - this was w/ high index prog lenses, remember. Sure beats $950!!!
I talked to them on the phone and they use top lenses, they choose what they think best fits the frame and script, I think mine are Seikos, but you can specify if you call them. Anyway, they saved my ass as I was starting to look like a moron at work. I had never sent any company a complimentary letter before but I did them. Over the next 3 years I wound up getting 4 pair - back up for travel, a pair of progressive sunglasses, and a pair of non progressives for the movies and TV, all w/frames that came off ebay. One pair came back with a lens mounted a bit ugly, they rectified it and refunded my shipping.
Luckily I had the PD on an old script. You should mark your pupil height for bifocals, if you already have frames just have someone mark the old lenses with a marker or if you get off ebay etc the frames will have plano lenses that get tossed, just mark those.
My only worry with trying out the really cheap lenses is that they will be crazy thick. More of a concern is if you already have progressives, as all the makers have different corridor shapes, this might prove a problem switching btwn pairs, i don't know if true. I specified to replace-a-lens to use the sames brand/type as before every time I ordered to avoid this.
Here's an other place for the hipsters and socially concerned among you, I haven't tried yet,
https://www.warbyparker.com/
BTW replace a lens asks for a recent script and prolly the others do too, you scan and email or fax it. A little white-out makes for a 'recent' script - but you didn't hear that from me.
The internet is doing a lot of damage to mom and pops and main street but if all the opticians go out of business I won't shed a tear.
Although the surgery cost almost as much as two Custom Shop Les Pauls - Oy!
