Please Explain

[karl_h]

Don’t feel bad i went for glasses and got an eyelash in my eye the eye doc charged me $100 to pick up a pair of tweezers and take it out!

Gotta laugh at that, several months ago on a Sunday, I had something blown in my eye in a parking lot. Just happened to be an eye doctor there walking out of the store. He saw me tearing up badly and introduced himself, looked at my eye and said to come with him to his office, closed on sunday's, which was on the other end of the parking lot. He took out the particle, irrigated my eye and after inspecting it gave me some eye drops and said to make an appointment if I feel anything after a day. Didn't care about insurance, didn't want cash, didn't want forms/name/etc.., just shook my hand and said to have a good day.

 

[boscoebrea]

Alright I just got my new glasses,I will give you the prices I was told....Kaiser,$169 for the lens of your choice plus the cost of frames wich were $65-$300 depending on name on them.
Costco,2 pairs were $300,including everything,by buying 2 I saved $50....no bi-focals.You have to shop,The biggest mark up is the frames...

 

[Solo1]

Gotta laugh at that, several months ago on a Sunday, I had something blown in my eye in a parking lot. Just happened to be an eye doctor there walking out of the store. He saw me tearing up badly and introduced himself, looked at my eye and said to come with him to his office, closed on sunday's, which was on the other end of the parking lot. He took out the particle, irrigated my eye and after inspecting it gave me some eye drops and said to make an appointment if I feel anything after a day. Didn't care about insurance, didn't want cash, didn't want forms/name/etc.., just shook my hand and said to have a good day.

Now that is a doctor!

 

[SilentSquirrel]

Don’t feel bad i went for glasses and got an eyelash in my eye the eye doc charged me $100 to pick up a pair of tweezers and take it out!

Time for a different doctor, eh?

 

[dgeesaman]

Most prescription eyeglasses in the US are sold through a monopoly. Prices are artificially high.

 

[MikeWarner]

How can a scope or a pair of binoculars cost less than my new eye glasses? Today I spent over 5 C notes to get new prescription lenses put into my frames. There is one piece of plastic per lens in my glasses made with what I assume is a computer controlled lens cutter, and I would not be surprised if they are made in just a few minutes. Whereas a decent middle of the road scope has a milled air craft aluminum tube, multiple highly polished multi coated glass lenses, seals, nitrogen purging, tens to hundreds of tiny precision made parts, and who knows what else it takes to make a middle of the road scope. Really, I am just venting here. I know pretty much it is about the market place. But come on! If a scope can be made for that cheap, then why do I have to pay so dang much for eye glasses?

You've touched on something that frustrates many of us. The apparent contradiction comes down to fundamental differences between these markets. Optical companies operate in a near-monopoly environment where a handful of corporations control everything from frames to insurance billing, allowing massive markups on what are essentially $8 lenses. Meanwhile, scope manufacturers exist in a brutally competitive field where companies constantly undercut each other's prices just to stay relevant.

Adding to the irony, your prescription lenses actually require more precise engineering than most mid-range scopes. Each pair is custom-ground to your unique vision needs, while rifle optics use standardized components mass-produced by the thousands. The medical device classification also piles on regulatory costs you don't see in the firearms industry.

At the end of the day, eyeglass pricing reflects a broken system, while scope costs demonstrate what happens when genuine market forces prevail. Doesn't make writing that $500 check any easier though!

 

[johnwoitalla]

I once purchased prescription eyeglasses from a local optometry shop and paid a fortune.....The following year I needed a new prescription and I somewhat reluctantly went to Costco. Their glasses and service has been more than fine. I get an annual comprehensive vision examination at the ophthalmology department at the medical school which is thankfully local to us. Insurance covers most of that cost.

It has now been quite a few years and remain pleased with the quality and service of prescription eye glasses I've purchased from Costco. I don't think I've ever paid more than $250 all total....I do carry vision insurance so that helps as well.

I'm not very fashion conscious and tend to gravitate toward lower cost albeit light weight frames...they generally have a satisfactory collection from which to choose. If i recall correctly the last few frames I purchased ran between $89 and $99. I always opt for the better quality lenses and the higher grade of transition lenses. This of course accounts for a bit of additional cost. Periodically Costco will run promotions like an extra set for an additional $99 or so.

In fact my exam was at Costco. I did not buy my new lenses from them because they needed to keep my frames and I didn’t have a spare with me, so I went to my regular shop where they have my records.