From: greif1nospamhere@rochester.rr.com   
      
   On 8/26/2011 1:53 PM, AES wrote:   
   > Just been in to see my friendly local optician (actually, a relatively   
   > modest local shop, favorably reviewed by local online users), after   
   > getting an updated glasses prescription from my similarly well   
   > reviewed HMO.  We're talking fairly near-sighted with some prism, and   
   > a recommendation to use high-index glass so lenses aren't too thick.   
   >   
   > So, the numbers I'm getting _just for the lenses_ are like $495/pair   
   > for progressive bifocal, $395/pair for plain bifocal, $295/pair for   
   > single vision lenses . .  . PLUS $120/pair for AR or polarized   
   > coatings . . . PLUS $200 and up for the frames.   
   >   
   > Am I naive in supposing that all these lenses are produced by just   
   > punching the prescription numbers into a keyboard connected to some   
   > monster automated machine? -- with the manufacturing cost for the   
   > finished lenses being maybe 30 bucks a pair, packed and ready for   
   > shipping, independent of the surface complexity? -- and the   
   > manufacturing cost for the frames being a similar number?   
   >   
   > Should I be venturing over to the local Costco or WalMart?  Or   
   > entering my prescription into the website for Glasses-R-Us?   
   I recently got a pair of bifocals and a pair or wrap around sunglasses   
   from globaleyeglasses.com  .   Cost was about $100 for both, with   
   somewhat more expensive frames and AR coatings. Quality is quite good   
   (the gray sunglasses have a distinct pinkish tint though). I think they   
     cone out of India.   
      
   I also got a pair of single vision from BJ's for about $120 (still half   
   of Lenscrafters cost)   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)