Where to Go for Optical Lenses

If you or anyone in your family is having problems seeing, there are many options available for purchasing eyeglasses. If you have vision health benefits, check with your health care provider to see what limitations, if any, they place on where you can have your eyes examined and eyeglasses made for your prescription. They may have a contract with a specific company.

If not, there are a number of reputable national firms that have offices all over the country. LensCrafters has been in business for over a quarter of a century, with a doctor of optometry, the optical laboratory, and a wide selection of frames together under one roof. There is a store locator on their website, and you can also schedule an exam online. Same-day service is available.

Perle Vision was founded by Dr. Stanley Perle, a Doctor of Optometry, in 1961. There are about 800 Perle Vision offices nationwide to serve your needs. They can assist you in understanding what your health care provider will cover, and boast that you will know exactly what your glasses will cost before leaving the premises, with no hidden extras when you pick them up.

Many Sears outlets also have a vision center. They are accepted by most health care providers. If you are a member of AAA or AARP, there are further discounts available.

Another option you may prefer is to have your eyes examined and use the prescription to order eyeglasses from an online source, such as ReadingGlasses.com, which claims to be the world's largest designer reading glasses store. At their website, you can shop by price range or by designer, such as Dior, Gucci, and Armani. They have thousands of frames from which to choose, starting from about $25.