It had been three years since I got my last eye exam. And Grace had always hated my glasses from the dot-bum days anyway. So we decided it was time for a “makeover”.
Contacts were originally considered briefly, but I simply couldn’t stand the idea of having foreign objects in my eyes. And plus somehow my eyelashes get into my eyes very easily (sometimes a few times a day), it’d really be a biatch to have to take out my contacts, cleanse it with a special solution which I’d have to bring with me, and then put it back on. So contacts were out.
Then we started shopping for best prices for eye exam, lenses and the frame. My requirements were simple: Transitions lenses, cheap but elegant frames, and preferably discounted/free eye exam.
We stopped by LensCrafters for pricing.
Transitions lenses: $300
UV/Scratch resistant coating: $70
Eye exam: $75
We didn’t even bother looking at the frames; we walked right out.
Next stop, Costco.
Transitions lenses: $140 (UV coating included)
Scratch resistant coating: $10
Eye exam: $45
Frame: $119
Not feeling like a jackass: Priceless
No brainer there. But I was annoyed that there was such a big difference in price discrepancies. Does Costco really do that much more business than LensCrafters that they can afford to cut such a bargain with Transitions lens? All I know is, I felt empowered that I didn’t have to be robbed.
Back to my eyes: As it turned out that my eye sight actually improved. I attribute my eye sight having stayed at almost exactly the same level for the past 10 years to my stubbornness on always using the best lenses available. Some people I know would get “lens + frame” deals for $99. Corrective vision is all about quality of light being passed through the lenses that help you see. Having the best lenses puts less strain on the eyes. The same principal applies in photography — skills and camera body aside, lens is the single most important investment for serious photographers. Bad lens = poor quality prints.