I recently went through the process of getting new prescription glasses, and let me tell you, the price tag was a shock! I started questioning if it's normal to pay so much for something that's essential for clear vision. It felt like a huge expense, and I knew I needed to find ways to save money without sacrificing quality. Here's what I learned on my journey to find affordable eyewear.
I remember the day I went to get my eyes checked and then browsed through frames. I found a pair I liked – nothing fancy, but a good, solid build. Then came the moment of truth: the quote. It was around R6000! I was floored. The frames weren't even a big brand name, which made it even more frustrating. I started to wonder if I was being ripped off. I'd heard stories about how certain big-name optical stores inflate prices, so I knew I had to explore other options.
I even heard a story from a friend who paid R14,000! Apparently, most of that cost was for the lenses – specialized thinned vari focals with astigmatism correction. It sounded incredibly complex, and incredibly expensive.
Doing some research, I stumbled upon some fascinating (and disturbing) information about the eyewear market. It turns out that a small number of companies control a large percentage of the world's spectacle frame production. One company, Luxottica, used to control almost 80% of it! While they've joined forces with others since then, the markups are still incredibly high. Learning this made me even more determined to find a better deal.
And the lens costs? Apparently, they're not nearly as expensive to produce as the retailers would have you believe! This made me even more determined to find a more affordable option.
I started by asking around for recommendations. One person suggested avoiding the big brand stores and trying a smaller, independent shop. That sounded like a good starting point. I also decided to get a copy of my eye prescription emailed to me. This turned out to be a game-changer, as it opened up a whole world of online retailers.
I explored a few online options. I was amazed to find that I could get name-brand frames and lenses with astigmatism correction, anti-glare coating, blue light filter, and anti-scratch coating for around R2500-R3000! That was a huge difference compared to the initial quote I received. This involved some risk though, since I couldn't physically try the frames on. I relied heavily on measuring my current glasses and comparing those measurements to the online frame specifications.
During my search, I stumbled upon Mozaer Glasses. They had a wide selection of frames and lenses at reasonable prices. I was particularly intrigued by their vintage-style frames.
I ended up ordering the P57197 Vintage Photochromic Reading Glasses from Mozaer. I was looking for something stylish and functional, and these seemed to fit the bill. I liked the retro square rivet design and the fact that they were photochromic, meaning they would darken in sunlight. I needed reading glasses, so I chose the appropriate dioptric strength.
I have to say, I'm really happy with my purchase. The build quality is great, especially considering the price. The photochromic lenses work perfectly, and the vintage design is exactly what I was looking for. I've received several compliments on them already! I feel like I got a fantastic deal, and I'm definitely recommending Mozaer Glasses to my friends who are looking for affordable eyewear. This brand offers some really interesting items on their homepage.
Based on my experience, here are some tips for saving money on prescription glasses: