My choice of eyeglasses is more than I can afford
By choybel
@choybel (5042)
Philippines
October 26, 2012 4:53am CST
For so many months now I have been experiencing headaches, which I believed are caused by my eyes. Because of this, I have been planning to get myself a pair of glasses. Eye check up and examination would go free in optical shops as long as you purchase the glasses from them, so I want to have the examination and do the purchasing as one. The problem is I have a specific type of glass and frame that I want and they really cost a lot. I want the glasses to be photochromic so that it can both serve as sunglasses and reading glasses at the same time. I also want the frame to be titanium, just for aesthetic reasons. The cheapest I could find so far is around 180 dollars, that's converted from pesos, and it's not even what I really want yet. What I really want to have would cost almost 240 dollars. So now, it is just part of my Christmas wishlist, as I couldn't afford to pay that much yet for a single purchase, let alone for a pair of glasses.
So, does anybody here have suggestions or just anything to say regarding this?
8 responses
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
26 Oct 12
Specs are a rip-off no matter what country we come from, it seems.
My husband couldn't even have the type of lenses he wanted due to cost. He had to make do with the basic ones. Mind you, the summer we have had this year, it's turned out to be a wise move.
He's also paying for mine (monthly) which upsets me as it should be me paying but I can't afford to.
Could you go down the monthly payments route? John's paying about £24 a month for 10 months for mine and he's about half-way through now. The time goes very quickly when you pay this way and there is no interest on the total amount.
My husband couldn't even have the type of lenses he wanted due to cost. He had to make do with the basic ones. Mind you, the summer we have had this year, it's turned out to be a wise move.
He's also paying for mine (monthly) which upsets me as it should be me paying but I can't afford to.
Could you go down the monthly payments route? John's paying about £24 a month for 10 months for mine and he's about half-way through now. The time goes very quickly when you pay this way and there is no interest on the total amount.@choybel (5042)
• Philippines
26 Oct 12
The optical store didn't seem to be offering installment payment methods, although I can't say for sure yet because I haven't really asked yet. The next time I visit, I'll make sure I will ask about that as it seems to be the easiest way to obtain it. If they do offer that, I'll have to ask my girlfriend to do the purchasing as she is the one with the payroll, and if I'm not mistaken it will be one of the requirements, but of course, I will be paying it with my money.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
26 Oct 12
Yes, I remember when the optician asked me for two forms of ID and I could only produce one, so I couldn't sign up for the direct debits myself and had to bring hubby in to do it. All very embarrassing but it's actually easier this way as John would've had to transfer funds every month anyway.
I won't be setting foot in that particular opticians again though, not after the way I was treated.
@choybel (5042)
• Philippines
27 Oct 12
What do you mean, after the way you were treated?
I'm still weighing my options right now. I haven't visited other shops yet, but hopefully I could by next week. I also just got this idea from a responder here about Christmas sale promos, so I might just take advantage of it.
@adnileb (5276)
• Philippines
27 Oct 12
That really costs a lot. I am wearing eyeglasses too but the lens are cheaper because it only has the UV protection. I want the transition eyeglasses, which darkens when you're on a direct sunlight like having shades. I think that's what you said, the photochromic. Since it costs a lot, I have to save more from my salary. Maybe on my next eye check-up, I will purchase a new one.
If you have the money to buy, just buy now. It's worth it.
But if you don't have the money yet, buy an ordinary lens then save money for your wish. 
If you have the money to buy, just buy now. It's worth it.
But if you don't have the money yet, buy an ordinary lens then save money for your wish. 
@lampar (7584)
• United States
27 Oct 12
It is getting really pricey nowadays to go for an eye examination, usually i will wait for the sales season to have it done, the optical clinic in my area will provide free eye examination with the purchase of a pair of prescription lenses for around $99. It is once a year clearance sales by the clinic n store normally held at the end of the year, it probably is the best deal one can get from the eye clinic if you can not afford to pay several hundred dollars for the glasses and eye examination.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
28 Oct 12
My daughter wears glasses and I was amazed at how much some of the frames available cost. The place I take her, apparently, only have the designer frames which are outrageous. My insurance covers most of the cost but only for every other year. Her exam would be charged to me if not for the insurance. Some people will go to one doctor here and then take their prescription for glasses to a more affordable place.
I suppose since the eye exam is free for you if you get the glasses, that wouldn't be an ideal way to do it though.
@choybel (5042)
• Philippines
28 Oct 12
I was actually contemplating on going to an eye clinic rather than the glasses shop, because I have my doubts, but that would mean additional cost for me. So I'm now torn between saving and having a quality service or accurate diagnosis. If I could afford it, I would definitely go for quality and of course for the frames and lenses I so desire. Oh well, what can I do?
@guanguan (73)
•
26 Oct 12
yes, i meet such kind of things too. that's when i want to buy a smart cellphone, i love it so much, and the same thing comes to money too. i couldn't afford to buy it. and what i do is to let this kind of idea alone. i will buy it whan i get enough money. and i am sure i will have it the nexr year.
@Bhebelen14 (5194)
• Philippines
26 Oct 12
If your living near in Makati try to visit the Rica Optical in Glorietta and Makati Cinema square they offering a some discounts. Also since Christmas is coming for sure most of the optical shop will offers a big discounts you might get what you need in a lowest rates.
@choybel (5042)
• Philippines
27 Oct 12
I haven't actually thought of that. Maybe, I'll try to take advantage of the coming holiday, surely there will be promos and discounts all around. Thanks for the suggestion.
Unfortunately, I'm in Mindanao, although I was in Makati last May, visiting my sister. Actually stayed there for a week.
@Kashidanga1971 (1354)
• Bangladesh
26 Oct 12
Quality glass does not mean only fashion or style. Quality glasses gives good and healthy performance and for the best upkeeping of eyes quality glasses is a must. You should not go against your choice. At any cost you must try to afford the glasses if necessary by cutting off other expenses like purchasing costly suit pant or kads etc. Many times I wanted to buy a brand sunglass, but I could not afford. I thought rather I wont wear any offbrand glass as I cant afford the brand. I dont know why I tend to to purchase alaways a brand.
@choybel (5042)
• Philippines
26 Oct 12
If you knew me personally you would think that this is something off my usual route, I mean i usually just go for anything that works as long as it's cheap, but for this one I really want it to be my way, my choice. Well, like you said, it comes with a price.
@Raine38 (12391)
• United States
26 Oct 12
I wear glasses and contacts, and I also had this problem when I wanted to get the transition lenses. It's also like having an automatic pair of glasses which adjusts depending on the light. So if I am out and it's sunny, the lenses darken like shades. And if I am inside on normal room lighting, it's clear. It costs a lot for the lense alone, not to mention the frame that I want. I talked to the doctor if she's willing to have it under a zero percent installment payment. At first she declined, but she agreed if I will pay half of it in cash. It's the best that I could do without putting the rest of my monthly budget on it.
@choybel (5042)
• Philippines
26 Oct 12
Photocromic lenses is probably the technical term of transition lenses. It's the very same thing I want to have. I don't know if I could offer the same deal you did to the clinic, because I don't think they are open to this method of payment. I just wish I could. I just wish I could have more than enough soon to buy me one.
