In this post, I will explore some of the differences between the following four major discount prescription eyewear retailers:
Note that I am not including the discounted
designer eyewear sites. I am also not including every possible configuration as this becomes prohibitive with half a dozen lens types plus half a dozen lens options for each type. This table provides a first look into the most common options with which you will be presented.
| Goggles4U.com | EyeBuyDirect.com | 39DollarGlasses.com | Optical4Less.com |
| Base price § | $13 | $15 | $39 | $15 ^ |
| Thin lens (1.6) | +$12 | +$42 | NA | +$35 |
| Thinner lens (1.67) | +$27 | NA | +$50 | +$35 |
| Anti UV Coating | +$0 | +$5 | +$0 | +$0 |
| Anti Reflective Coating | +$0 | +$7 | +$25 | +$0 |
| Anti Scratch Coating | +$0 | +$0 | +$0 | +$0 |
| Photochromatic Lens % | +$8 | +$36 | +$50 | +$59 |
| Sunglass tinting | +$0 | +$5 | +$10 | +$8 |
| Bad eye penalty # | +$10 | +$0 | +$0 | +$59 |
| Priciest standard config @ | $50 | $74 | $114 | $109 |
§ For this exercise, I chose the cheapest frame available. Typically a basic alloy frame.
^ This low-cost frame is from their overstock section
% Photochromatic lenses are "transition" lenses -- they automatically darken in the sunlight
# Some retailers have a surcharge if your prescription is > +2.75 or < -2.75
@ Does not include photochromatic or sunglass tint options.
Conclusions? Goggles4U is the cheapest. EyeBuyDirect nickles and dimes the price up but has the best selection. 39DollarGlasses and EyeBuyDirect are good options if you have very bad eyes because they don't charge for extras. Your mileage may vary depending particularly on the type of frame you choose. I always recommend titanium. Another note, I recently posted a link at fark and one user commented that his glasses from 39DollarGlasses were a little wonky, so I don't enthusiastically recommend that company at the moment.
