I recently went through the eye exam and prescription glasses purchase process, and let me tell you, it was a bit of a shock! I walked into the store expecting to pay a reasonable amount, but the final bill left me wondering if I was missing something. Was it normal to shell out that much for something that essentially helps me see? I started digging around, talking to friends, and doing some online research to figure out if I was being ripped off. This is what I learned, and I hope it helps you too!
So, there I was, staring at a quote for around R6000 for prescription glasses. The frames weren't designer brands, but they seemed sturdy enough. I started to question if the price was justified. I'd always assumed that places like Spec-Savers were the go-to, but maybe there were other options I hadn't considered. It seemed like a lot of money, especially since I knew I'd need to replace them again in a year or two.
That's when I started asking around and found out that some people were paying even more! One person mentioned they spent R14,000, with only a small portion going towards the frames. The bulk of the cost was the lenses, which were thinned vari focals for astigmatism. Ouch!
Then came the painful truth: apparently, a few big companies control most of the spectacle frame market. I heard that Luxottica used to have a huge chunk of it. And the markups? Supposedly, they are incredibly high. Even more surprising, I learned that the actual cost to produce the lenses is far less than what we end up paying. It felt like I was navigating a minefield of hidden costs and inflated prices.
Frustrated with the high prices at the major retailers, I started looking for alternatives. A friend suggested trying a non-brand store, which got me thinking. What if I could find similar quality at a lower price by avoiding the big names? It seemed worth a shot.
Another suggestion I came across was to get my prescription emailed to me and then order glasses and lenses online. Someone mentioned they were able to get name-brand glasses with astigmatism correction, anti-glare, blue light protection, and anti-scratch coating for around R2500-R3000. That sounded like a huge saving!
I decided to try the online route. After getting my prescription from my optometrist, I started browsing different websites. I was a little nervous about ordering glasses online without trying them on first, but the potential savings were too tempting to ignore. I carefully measured my pupillary distance and compared it to the frame sizes listed on the site. I was also looking for glasses that offer blue light protection. I spend hours in front of my computer screen, and blue light protection is a must for me. I've also noticed that reading glasses with anti-blue light filter can help improve my sleep quality after working long hours.
That's when I stumbled upon Mozaer Official and their range of affordable glasses. The prices were significantly lower than what I had seen at the brick-and-mortar stores. I found a pair that caught my eye:
They had a great selection of 1Pc Anti Blue Light Reading Glasses Prescription Glasses Women Men Round Frame Glasses for Sight Presbyopia Eyeglasses +100~+400 Strength 1.0x-Black. You can find similar styles on their homepage. I liked the round frame design and the fact that they offered different strength options. I decided to give them a try. You can find this product here: 1Pc Anti Blue Light Reading Glasses Prescription Glasses.
When they arrived, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality. The frames felt sturdy, and the lenses were clear and accurate to my prescription. The blue light filter definitely made a difference in reducing eye strain during long work sessions. For a fraction of the price I was quoted at the big stores, I had a stylish and functional pair of glasses! I also love the fact that they are very light weight, making them very comfortable to wear for extended periods.
Of course, buying glasses online isn't without its drawbacks. Here's a quick rundown of the pros and cons based on my experience: