How do eyeglass frames/lens sizing work? If I have an extra pair of lenses, how hard would it be to find frames to fit?

[beer]

I'll just start with the cliff's notes:

1) I ordered an extremely high index lens (1.74) and a pair of frames in late May
2) the lab had a hard time making my lenses correctly so they sent me a pair of 1.67 index lenses so I could wear the frames while they got the 1.74s right
3) The 1.74s came today, and I get to keep the 1.67 lenses, but I want to find some frames that fit them that don't cost the $300+ that I just spent on these frames

I have VSP, so in order to use VSP you need to go to private practice optometrists and optical botiques (generally speaking). Because I have such bad vision, the "retail" on my lenses is about $500 and I have an extra pair of the 1.67 index lenses that I would like to find a home for in a pair of cheap eyeglasses.

How does the eyeglass/lens fit work? I don't really care about what the frames look like (within reason), I just don't want to let these lenses go to waste, since they make a useful backup pair.

Are all lenses cut specifically for a frame? Or are these size dimensions that are common? If I go to a mass-market optical retailer (e.g. lens crafters or something) with these lenses, can they find a pair of glasses to fit them?

ATOT knows everything. Please help me here.

 

[Capt Caveman]

From my understanding, the lenses are cut to fit the frame. It will be close to impossible to find another set of frames that will fit. How about getting another set of the same frames?

 

[beer]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
From my understanding, the lenses are cut to fit the frame. It will be close to impossible to find another set of frames that will fit. How about getting another set of the same frames?

The frames are upwards of $300+ without partial VSP coverage, so I don't want to buy them out of pocket. I could wait for ten months to buy the fraems again, but they'll likely be out-of-stock.

 

[KillerCharlie]

You're probably out of luck, but if you look online you can probably find the frames at a better price.

 

[Ushio]

Most mass market retailers won't do that for you. some small shops will do that with a small cutting charge, just bring them in and see what they can find for you, and since you wanting a backup, just get something around $100

We have people do that all the time, heck some even buy readers for like $20 and ask us to make a backup with their old lenses.

oh and VSP sucks!

 

[beer]

Originally posted by: Ushio
Most mass market retailers won't do that for you. some small shops will do that with a small cutting charge, just bring them in and see what they can find for you, and since you wanting a backup, just get something around $100

We have people do that all the time, heck some even buy readers for like $20 and ask us to make a backup with their old lenses.

oh and VSP sucks!

Thanks for the reply here. What is the order of magnitude of the "cutting charge" that I can expect, from your perspective?

Yes, VSP does suck. They took 6+ weeks to get my lenses. But still, I don't pay anything for the coverage and it saves me several hundred dollars a year -- so I can't complain.

 

[arkcom]

You could look for some rimless frames, they are pretty universal. You can get frames only for half price at zenni optical. http://www.zennioptical.com/cart/home.php?cat=7

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: beer

Originally posted by: Ushio
Most mass market retailers won't do that for you. some small shops will do that with a small cutting charge, just bring them in and see what they can find for you, and since you wanting a backup, just get something around $100

We have people do that all the time, heck some even buy readers for like $20 and ask us to make a backup with their old lenses.

oh and VSP sucks!

Thanks for the reply here. What is the order of magnitude of the "cutting charge" that I can expect, from your perspective?

Yes, VSP does suck. They took 6+ weeks to get my lenses. But still, I don't pay anything for the coverage and it saves me several hundred dollars a year -- so I can't complain.

I wouldn't recommend using VSP for glasses. For contacts, they're good but using VSP for glasses forces you to use their lenses makers and you have to full msrp for frames.

Myself, VSP helps cover my eye exam and allows me to purchase 4 boxes of contacts. For my glasses, I get Carl Zeiss lenses made in Canada then imported here and Oakley frames for $230.

If I used VSP for my glasses, I wouldn't be able to get the best lenses possible and I would be forced to pay $370 for my lenses and with the $120 VSP discount it would still be more than I can get them without it.

 

[Ushio]

the charges I see are usually around $25 ~ 40

if they do find a frame for you that might work, make sure you ask them if the PD (pupillary distance, the distance between your eyes) will be close or the same as what you have. it is important especially you have bad vision.

but remember your frame choices will be limited and some might fit but have little gaps on the corner and such.