Not all high index lenses are of the same quality. Not all anti reflective coatings are of the same quality. Not all frames are of the same quality.
Lens manufacturers use different quality raw materials and different manufacturing processes and thus, quality will vary. These differences are more noticeable the higher index the lens. This is because you're bending light at a more extreme rate the higher index you use. The more you bend light, the greater you'll notice the deficiencies in the lens. Ask most professional photographers who makes the best quality lenses for their camera. They'll likely tell you Zeiss or Leica or Seiko, but these lenses are among the most expensive on the market. The professional photographer doesn't expect to go to a much less well known manufacturer in China and receive the same quality as the Leica but for far less. But that's basically what's happening with the majority of online discount eyeglass companies - and it's likely what's happened to you with eyebuydirect. That's not to say that your local optical shop always uses the top quality lenses or frames and charges you accordingly, but most of the time you get what you pay for. Most people might not notice the difference. Many people might notice a difference but weigh this against the lower price they paid. But if you're used to getting Seiko 1.67 aspheric quality lenses (and paying $300 for them), you'll be disappointed to discover that Zenni's $39 upgrade for their 1.67 lenses just don't quite match up. Besides material quality and manufacturing quality control, the lens design is also important for high index lenses. That's likely what you're noticing when you looked in the mirror the other day. The base curve (the curve on the inside of the lens for you) varies depending on the design and shape and even the rotation of the lens if you have astigmatism. So, when you're buying frames and lenses online for a fraction of the cost of what you pay in your local store, you're not getting the exact same level of quality but for a lot less money. I've used the analogy in a previous thread of the Hyundai versus the Mercedes or Honda. Hyundai makes a fine car, with a great warranty for a very good price. For people who view a car as simply an appliance that transports them from place to place, they're fine with the Hyundai. But, no one rationally thinks that the Hyundai and the Mercedes cost the same to produce, except Mercedes simply pockets the rest as profit. You will need to decide for yourself whether the difference in price is worth the difference in quality. Having said that, I encourage you to keep trying your new glasses, give them a fair and honest chance - assuming the prescription is correct, most people really like their discount glasses they buy online. J. Evan On Nov 18, 4:46 am, dogkat <[email protected]> wrote: > Hi, I've never posted here before but had read a bit, and was > reassured that buying glasses online might be worth a try. I did, and > found some frames I thought I would like at eyebuydirect.com. It > turns out I was right about the frames; they are just as nice as I'd > hoped and the price was great for them, as well as the 1.74 high index > lenses. However, the lenses leave something to be desired. Is it > just my pickiness? I sort of wonder, but I dont think so. > > I am rather nearsighted, over -8 in each eye, so I'm used to dealing > with thick lenses and how they look. Every time I've bought at a > store, I've been instructed to buy the smaller frame size, and anti- > reflective coating, and I've most of the time been pretty happy at the > result. But the glasses I got in the mail give me this VERY coke > bottle look, even from straight on. Had to describe; the lenses are > pretty thin and dont go too much beyond the frames, but they somehow > dont seem to look as thin as they are, and I think this may have to do > with the curve of them on the back, and flat front surfaces, as well > as what I think may be an inferior anti-reflective coating? I mean, I > can tell the coating is there from the rainbow look when I look at > them in the light, but it's not that effective. I was wearing them in > my car and happened to look at myself in the rear view mirror today > and the reflections were extremely bad. The lenses themselves also > have a grey look to them even though I ordered no tint. > > So I guess my question to those of you out there who know these things > is - what do I need to know when ordering (and paying extra for) super > high index lenses? Do I really need to pay more for a name brand? > Due to an eye condition, I will now need to wear glasses a lot more of > the time than I used to, my eyes cant tolerate contacts as well, so > this is a big deal to me. -- Check us out at the oft-updated http://glassyeyes.blogspot.com! You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "GlassyEyes" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/glassyeyes?hl=en
