Inexpensive Back-Up Glasses

**TucsonMax** · 01-22-2010, 07:25 PM

I wear bifocals and would operate at 50% efficiency w/o them. I could survive but life and taking care of my family would be hampered. Glasses aren't cheap, especially bifocals and I've been weary of spending significant bucks on an extra "survival pair."

Then I stumbled upon http://www.eyebuydirect.com and for a grand total of $35.51 (including shipping) I got a good survival pair that will get packed away, hopefully, forever. These are not fancy or ultra-thin and there is a visible line separating the Rxs... but who cares. If I ever need them, I have them and at that point, no one will care what they look like.

The company has hundreds of styles, sizes, colors, etc and they arrived USPS about a week after I ordered them. I had a few questions and their phone customer service was quite good. I purchased the absolutely least expensive frames available and took none of the bells and whistles they offer. (Anti-scratch came standard.) I also googled and found a 20% off coupon online. So I pass this along to anyone else who is thinking about an extra pair.

I have no relationship with this company or website, except to say that I am a happy customer.

**SARKY** · 01-22-2010, 07:59 PM

Thankfully the VA covers my eyeglasses and I have a pair in my kit (clear lined bifocals)

**Camp10** · 01-22-2010, 08:37 PM

I have also packed a spare away. I put new lenses in my old glasses and tucked them away.

**Rick** · 01-22-2010, 08:40 PM

I just keep getting stronger ones at Kroger. I think my next purchase will be classified a microscope at the rate I'm going.

**crashdive123** · 01-22-2010, 09:57 PM

Here's another option that has been recommend by Clark Howard (consumer advocate guy on the radio and tv) http://www.zennioptical.com/cart/home.php

**Ole WV Coot** · 01-22-2010, 10:19 PM

I need em to read and the Dollar Store has supplied mine. Will need to look elsewhere after I try to renew my driver's license in a month or so, thanks for the info.

**Trabitha** · 01-25-2010, 06:45 PM

This is one my biggest fears. I'm blind as a BAT! I wear 30 day night/day contacts most of the time, have my prescription lenses...and the OLD pair...but I were to run out of contacts, I would suffer headaches for weeks, wearing my glasses all day...and if I lost my glasses...
Man...I would be like that guy on the "time at last" episode of Twilight Zone! Totally LOST.

**your_comforting_company** · 07-25-2010, 02:51 PM

I took my best friend fishing last weekend. At the end of the trip, he was cleaning the sweat and water and grime off his glasses and they fell apart in his hands.
He's a fellow who is new to the whole idea of "being prepared", thus he didn't have an extra pair. As an experiment, I've watched how crippled he's been all week long without his glasses.
Can't see how to drive.
Can't see anything closer than 2' in front of him, nor more than 2' away.
Can't see how to tie a hook or bait it.
Can't see where he's walking.
He's literally blind as a bat.

Of course, if he'd driven an hour away to the "big city" he could have had glasses within an hour. He went the "cheapo" route and got them at wal-mart. After the eye test and all that jazz, even the exchange of money, they told him it would be 7-10 days before he got his new glasses.
When you're as blind as he is without glasses, you'd think ahead and keep a spare pair, right?

I suggest, that if you wear glasses, you need a pair with heavy-duty frames and scratch resistant lenses to stash and never touch until your daily pair fails. After 8 days of being basically blind, he's decided that he's going to be taking my advice and buying a second spare pair.
It's important to consider our vulnerabilities and weaknesses when we think about preparedness. Think of anything that you are 95% dependent on, like glasses or medicines, as a NECESSITY. If my friend and I were to find ourselves in a survival situation, I would be basically babysitting him, bringing the "group health level" way down. I would be forced to double up on many tasks that he would be unable to perform. He wouldn't even be able to walk on his own very well through the woods.

Think ahead. Don't be a liability!

**sgtdraino** · 07-25-2010, 03:06 PM

Clark Howard has suggested a couple of different online Chinese companies where you can get REALLY CHEAP prescription glasses. My wife was able to get three pairs for far less than one pair would have cost her at a local store, and all three pairs are holding up just fine. More information can most likely be found on his website, I do not remember the specific names of the companies he recommended.

**Justin Case** · 07-25-2010, 03:21 PM

Originally Posted by sgtdraino

Clark Howard has suggested a couple of different online Chinese companies where you can get REALLY CHEAP prescription glasses. My wife was able to get three pairs for far less than one pair would have cost her at a local store, and all three pairs are holding up just fine. More information can most likely be found on his website, I do not remember the specific names of the companies he recommended.

here is the link

http://clarkhoward.com/liveweb/shown...7/06/27/12362/

**crashdive123** · 07-25-2010, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by sgtdraino

Clark Howard has suggested a couple of different online Chinese companies where you can get REALLY CHEAP prescription glasses. My wife was able to get three pairs for far less than one pair would have cost her at a local store, and all three pairs are holding up just fine. More information can most likely be found on his website, I do not remember the specific names of the companies he recommended.

Originally Posted by Justin Case

here is the link

http://clarkhoward.com/liveweb/shown...7/06/27/12362/

Yep. See post #5.

**BushedOut** · 07-27-2010, 11:28 AM

Hi Everyone! I recently had laser surgery and can recommend it which removes all requirements of using glasses...

Nighttime vision, especially when there is artificial lighting is a problem... Has anyone else found this?

**sgtdraino** · 07-27-2010, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by BushedOut

Hi Everyone! I recently had laser surgery and can recommend it which removes all requirements of using glasses...

Nighttime vision, especially when there is artificial lighting is a problem... Has anyone else found this?

Yes, that can be a problem with the surgery. I have also had the surgery, and did have diminished night vision. However, I'm still glad I had it.

Oh and, in case anyone didn't know, Clark Howard has a link for cheap glasses!