[Summit] Good & Reasonably Priced Optician?

[hennypenny at cox.net]

I'm not positive, Liberty, but I believe you need an optometrist (or  
ophthalmologist) to do the eye exam and write your lens prescription.  
The optician makes the actual lenses and puts them in the frames, and  
fits them to your face. If you have health insurance, it should cover  
the eye exam itself in part or entirely, if it's done by an  
ophthalmologist or optometrist. Check your policy. If you're middle- 
aged or older, it's quite important to have an actual exam every few  
years as the risk of things like glaucoma increases. I pay a $10 or  
$15 copay (can't recall which) for my eye exam with a Blue Cross/Blue  
Shield Healthmate policy.

At any rate, someone else mentioned RI Eye in Wayland Square. That's  
where I've gone for years. All the docs and O.D.s seem very good.  
Don't feel obligated to buy your glasses from the little shop inside  
the building, though; their prices are extremely high. I have had good  
luck with nice frames/lenses for myself and our two teens at Sears  
Optical at RI Mall in Warwick; they often have coupon sales and other  
specials (you can check their Web site). I used an AARP discount to  
get mine last time. The staff there is extremely helpful, and if you  
need anything tightened or adjusted, they always accommodate on the  
spot at no charge. I got my prescription sunglasses there and when  
they arrived, I decided I didn't like the brown tint and asked if I  
could get dark gray instead -- yes, and no extra charge to make the  
new lenses.  (!)  Also, my lenses are progressives -- like you, I need  
distance lenses for driving/TV/movies and reading lenses for the  
closeup stuff. These are more expensive but SO convenient. Sears did a  
great job on them.

Hope this helps.

- Anne


On Oct 13, 2009, at 2:39 PM, Hope for Health wrote:

> My husband and I are both having difficulty
> getting good eyeglasses that last.
>
> I have had a problem getting a good prescription,
> given the farsightedness of age combined with
> being basically nearsighted.  Add to that the
> differences between glasses for reading, using
> a computer, and driving...
>
> He has been through several pairs of glasses
> that just don't seem to last (the lens).
>
> Anyway, I'm wondering whether anyone knows of
> a good optician (we both need to have eyes
> checked first), who will provide glasses that
> are not too expensive and will work for vision
> correction.
>
> Blessings,
>
> Liberty G
> *******************************************