While I'm probably not qualified to advise about lens index for your correction (I'm on the opposite side at +4.50), I would think most here would give you the following general rules:
If you get a small (under 50mm) width lens frame in metal or especially in plastic, then you could very likely get away with 1.56 index lenses. Larger lenses and lenses where your optical centers are not well centered in the frame would likely require 1.61 or 1.67 lenses. Despite Zenni's popularity on this board, I'm not so sure they are the best place to start for newbies. Even though their lenses usually check out as accurate, they're basically the cheapest of all options. Shipping times and frame quality are sometimes a problem. I would highly recommend CoastalContacts: www.coastalcontacts.com. They are headquartered near you in the great white north and I've never read a negative review of them on this board. I've ordered two pairs of glasses so far and they've quickly become my favorite online vendor. You could try something like this metal frame in a 1.61 lens for under USD 50.00 - https://www.coastalcontacts.com/glasses/frames/prod24001.html - It's a bit narrow, but if your PD is around 62, you should be fine. Be sure to check and use Ira's great discount code page before ordering to save a few extra dollars: http://glassyeyes.blogspot.com/2009/05/coastal-contacts-discount-promo-code.html - Although I don't see their best code on his page, try entering "TELLAFRIEND" for a cool 20% off your order. For me, I'm now fully convinced that the 1.74 index lenses are my best option. CC has 1.74 for only $99, which is far less than everyone else and they don't upcharge you for higher corrections or drill mounting like (nearly) everyone else - nothing short of amazing. Perhaps the most important thing to mention for first time online orderers is to try and match exactly a frame you already have and like. Take the four measurements, compare them with ones you see online, be sure to match all dimensions as closely as possible. You might think you want to experiment with a funky pair but it's not recommended for your first time and especially after all the previous trouble you've had. Regarding contact lenses: I'm not sure about Canada, but the US employs ridiculous nazi-rules for ordering contact lenses - where you must have a doctors prescription, not more than 12 months old and the retailer must call and verify the prescription is accurate. This rule has worked to keep prices high and freedoms low, which seem to make the right interests happy but has turned many consumers sour. It is the right idea to be fit for contact lenses by a professional. Many people wear contacts full time without too many problems, while many others experience difficulties wearing contacts. In your common correction, you should find many options available to you - if you haven't already been fitted then I recommend finding a good optician with the time and ability to get you fitted. If you already have a contact lens prescription, then you'll find many online retailers - I like Contact Lens King www.contactlensking.com, they're fast and ship free to the US and they sell single lenses, which is quite rare. There are many other retailers including the aforementioned Coastal Contacts, but after calculating shipping and taxes, you likely won't find too much difference in prices - not like what you get with online eyeglasses. Let us know how things go. J. Evan On Aug 9, 9:57 am, Martin <[email protected]> wrote: > I have always had some sort of complications with opticians when > getting my glasses for prices in excess of $600. I'm 19 and have so > far experienced: left and right lenses being swapped, concentric rings > in my lens, messed up AR coating (or something to that extent), > incorrectly read prescriptions, etc. I'm not very lucky... > > That being said, I want to buy my glasses online, it's more > convenient, no hassle of dealing with annoying people and it's cheap. > > My prescription: > -5.00 -1.50 005 > -6.00 -1.50 015 > > I don't have my PD measurement, but I'm thinking I will go to my > optometrist and get that. When I got my prescription, with one of my > eyes I felt that the updated prescription did not feel any better... I > don't want to get new glasses and find out my prescription was > wrong... > > My questions: > I live in Canada, do all the online retailers ship to Canada? Which > do you suggest? I'm okay paying higher prices if the quality is > noticable, and I want my first experience buying glasses online to be > a good one considering my history... > > When the option is given, should I use high index lenses for my > prescription? I was looking at Zenni I believe, and there's three > levels offered... 1.57, 1.61 and 1.64 with incrementing prices. The > photochromic lenses are mutually exclusive with the high index > lenses. Currently I have photochromic lenses, and find them to be a > bit of a nuisance, maybe it's just more bad luck though... I guess I > could always get two pairs... not sure. > > It may be off topic but what are your thoughts on contact lenses? I > don't do any contact sports, but are there benefits to them? > > Thanks for your time, any comments are appreciated! --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Check us out at the oft-updated http://glassyeyes.blogspot.com! 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