How to Keep The Original Lenses When Buying Prescription Sunglasses?

tunzafun001 on 24/06/2024 - 11:44

New to this.

Asked Specsavers - "How much are these sunglasses without the lenses? " - Same price as with the original lenses.

oh ok,

Well, I need two pairs -

One for mild +0.25 near sighted when reading, and I will pop the new original lenses into my old frames and use them for when I'm not reading. Perfect..

"You don't get the original lenses"

Wahhh?????????…But I paid for them???

Bupa optical said they 'might' leave the originals in the box. Prefer "will' leave them in the box.

Any tips on where is best to go to get this? - was looking at Vision Direct (online)- but no idea what they do with the original lenses?

Health & Beauty Sunglasses

Comments

  • darkkito on 24/06/2024 - 11:52
    +2

    If you are using your healthfund, they need to be prescription which is why typically they won't give you the original lenses since then people could just put a random prescription but use them as non prescription when they just switch original lenses in.

    Otherwise when they actually order, most places will only have the frame and not the original lenses, so they will custom make your lenses so they don't actually the og lenses to give you.

    • trapper on 24/06/2024 - 14:36

      Otherwise when they actually order, most places will only have the frame and not the original lenses, so they will custom make your lenses so they don't actually the og lenses to give you.

      Yea I feel that this is the reason, there is no 'original' lens.

      It would be pointless to make all these frames with non-prescription lenses, just to then throw them away and put prescription lenses in instead.

      • tunzafun001 on 24/06/2024 - 20:49

        I feel this is exactly what they do. Either bin them, or on sell them. Either way, they come with lenses.

  • DashCam AKA Rolts on 24/06/2024 - 11:54
    +2

    The new lenses will not fit the old frames unless they are identical to the new frame.

    Sun-glass lenses are extremely cheap on eBay, if you know your exact frame, brand and model. Have bought for Oakley frames, they've been cheap and good quality, even have a video of how to fit.

  • JimB on 24/06/2024 - 12:05
    +5

    Every time I ordered prescription lenses on sunglasses, they gave me the original lenses.

    Small business optometrist.

    Having said that, you're never going to swap the lenses ever again.

    • boomramada on 24/06/2024 - 12:31

      Yeah, even with the OPSM/Rayban, I get the original lenses, I bin them, not used for me, and can't even sell them, as they would only fit the particular frame/model.

    • Mechz on 24/06/2024 - 15:56
      +1

      I've always been given the original lenses back since I started getting prescription sunglasses 25 years ago, across all types of optometrists.

      • CodeXD on 24/06/2024 - 16:20

        Guess you've never been to specsavers.

        I have 5+ pairs of prescription sunglasses from them over the last 10 years and never been provided the original lenses.

        • tunzafun001 on 24/06/2024 - 20:52
          +2

          Yeah, SpecSavers 100% confirmed they are keeping the original lenses…shouldn't have gone to Specs savers.

          Not happy with them at all, they also purposely left off my pupil distance. Went back for it.. "buying online are you?"

          Where I buy is my choice…& medicare paid for the eye test…not Specsavers.

          • Loopholio on 25/06/2024 - 10:40

            @tunzafun001: Where do you get your glasses script filled? The optometrist I used to go to no longer process these scripts and the last place that would shutdown years ago.

            Specsavers (Logan Hyperdome store) told me they won't even give me a script and I have to buy glasses from them.

            • CurlCurl on 25/06/2024 - 14:50

              @Loopholio:

              Specsavers (Logan Hyperdome store) told me they won't even give me a script and I have to buy glasses from them.

              From Google.

              Can Specsavers refuse to give me my prescription?
              An optician is obliged to provide you with the written prescription following the eye examination. You are then able to take the prescription to another practice.

  • hasher22 on 24/06/2024 - 12:12
    +1

    I buy mine from vision direct online, they always give the original lenses. But these are sunglasses I always purchase from them, I have ordered over 7+ sunnies and all came with the original lenses.

    • tunzafun001 on 24/06/2024 - 20:55

      Thanks for this. So recently with Vision Direct?

      I can buy the display Oakley sunnies off the shelf (with lenses) at Bupa Optical for $100 or $160 for new ones. They said I could keep the original Prism lenses…but they dont have the lense colour I was after. So maybe Vision Direct.

  • pharkurnell on 24/06/2024 - 12:22

    How to Keep The Original Lenses

    So how do you ever upgrade your glasses if your eyes get worse as time goes on… ?

    • tunzafun001 on 24/06/2024 - 21:04

      My far vision is fine, so only when reading, doing fiddly jobs outdoors that I would go for the prescription lense (so they can go in my old frames).

  • CurlCurl on 24/06/2024 - 13:14

    That's Specsavers.

  • No on 24/06/2024 - 14:04

    Whenever I have purchased prescription sunglasses they have always included the original as far as I remember.

    I haven't ordered any from them for a few years so you may need to double check.

  • Mango1 on 24/06/2024 - 20:06

    I ordered prescription glasses from bupa optical online last year and received the original lenses

  • tunzafun001 on 24/06/2024 - 21:52

    So my prescription (both eyes same) is:

    SPH +0.25 / Near Add 1.0

    Reading the explanations, and still not sure.

    Looks like the SPH +/- is the lense shape (near sighted or far) and how significant your lense is out (+0.25 being mild).

    But what is the ADD? I dont get how you add extra 'power' without changing the SPH shape?

    What happens if you get the SPH without the add?

    When I did the eye test, the text became clearer, but also huge…basically too big.

    • turbochris on 25/06/2024 - 08:19
      +1

      ADD is for presbyopia, reading things at close distance.

      It is added to your regular prescription if you order reading glasses. It is used in the lower part of the lens if you order bifocals or multifocals.

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presbyopia

      https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-read-eye-prescripti…

      In your case, the +0.25 is for distance not reading. Your reading prescription is +1.25.

      More info here:

      https://www.zennioptical.com/help/hc/en-us/articles/36000986…

      • tunzafun001 on 25/06/2024 - 15:05

        Ah cheers. Wonder why I have a distance prescription then?

        She was using a middle row for the test, but I could read the bottom row.

        But had to hold text away from my face to read text (so that bit checks out). But when she put the lenses on me, the font was HEAPS bigger than it needed to be. I could still read it fine without, but was huge and easy with the glasses.

        Might 'tweak' my prescription then for just a mild add - say +0.5 for reading, and that's it.

        Can you get a SPH 0 - Near Add +0.5 prescription?

        • turbochris on 25/06/2024 - 15:14

          Many people have a + prescription for distance/general vision. If you answered her questions correctly e.g. "1 is better than 2" etc then you do indeed need a +.25 for everyday use for sharpest vision. However that is such a weak prescription, you probably wont even notice the difference.

          Yes you can create an intermediate prescription, many people use this for computer work at their desk which is close but not as close as reading a book.

          In your case your prescription would be +.1.25 for reading, +0.75 for intermediate distance and +0.25 for general vision.

          I always buy my sunnies/glasses from Zenni, heaps cheaper, do you really need $280 sunnies?

          • tunzafun001 on 25/06/2024 - 19:58

            @turbochris: Cheers for this. I think Specsavers are having a lend.. my normal vision is fine. With the questions of better / worse between tests, there were a couple near the end where I said, about the same.

            So..hmmm…

            $280.. sort of ..

            I tried a few cheaper options, and they always break. I get a heap of impacts.

            Nothing worse than being somewhere remote and your sunnies snap at the hinge, or nose bridge, or frame. I have got good at soldering iron melt repairs!

            So the plastic Oakley uses is miles ahead in terms of longevity, and Bupa will pay $150 towards the frames and $100 to the lense…I think

  • FimpBARGAIN on 25/06/2024 - 08:04

    I buy from vision direct. Find I prefer sunglasses frames most of time with clear lenses, frames seem more durable.
    They normally just come with the standard lenses in a little baggy with them. I wear for a year and if the frame is ok sell them on marketplace as sunglasses with brand new lens 😎

    • kiitos on 25/06/2024 - 09:57

      Good idea, should try that for my next glasses rather than getting the same boring style frames.

      • FimpBARGAIN on 26/06/2024 - 07:41

        They are a bit heavier but the simple style hinge makes them pretty bombproof.
        I have young kids and do MTB/moto riding, durability is king

    • tunzafun001 on 25/06/2024 - 15:06

      Yeah, I'm looking at them with $280 sunnies + $12 reading glasses!

      • FimpBARGAIN on 26/06/2024 - 07:43

        Damn that must be on the upper end of the ones they sell in there. I try to keep it under $150 for my health fund rebate

        I've found Nike, spy and smith are pretty good. Oakley too but generally more expensive

    • tunzafun001 on 27/06/2024 - 01:10

      Saw some reports of fakes from Vision Direct on Whirlpool?

  • BronzingStubble on 25/06/2024 - 09:49

    Costco give your old lenses with their lens fitted to your frame for $25 fee. So you could buy Oakleys somewhere else and take them to Costco to get their lens fitted.

    • tunzafun001 on 25/06/2024 - 15:01

      Costco do Optical??

      I emailed Bupa and asked if I can buy the glasses somewhere, then take them somewhere else for lenses.

      P.S. Fun fact - Oakley direct is actually one of the cheapest places to buy - and you can customise them however you want, even get whatever words you want at the bottom etched in for $20 (instead of the usual 'prizm' etc)

  • tunzafun001 on 25/06/2024 - 20:00

    Anyone know if you can use the 50% off a second pair (Bupa Optical) with your partner on Family cover?

    Ie..we have $250 cover each ..can we get 2 pairs and use our $500 towards it…

    The more I type it, the less aI think it will work.

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