Ordering Glasses Online-My Review Of Zenni Optical (Part 1)

Many of you may remember that back at the end of June I had my eyes dilated and got a new prescription-something that I had waited two years to do instead of one, lazy gal that I am. While the prescription adjustment was not terrible, my distance had gotten better and my up close eyesight (the reading part) had gotten worse. So I needed new glasses,  but my eyes were not so bad that I could not use the ones I had (scratches aside).

Which is a good thing, because even with discounts from places like Costco and the like, for a pair of regular glasses and a pair of sunglasses ( A necessity in Colorado), I was looking at a minimum of eight hundred dollars and more like a good thousand for two basic pairs. Ouch, ouch and more ouch. 

An idea of the options on the opening screen

Since I was not in immediate need, I decided to research online glasses. I shared my plan on this blogpost,  posted on my local Next Door (where I got a piles of mostly positive reviews) and then decided to do my due diligence online via reviews and the like. After almost two months of research (and being in no rush) I decided to try Zenni for my glasses. They were among the cheapest and I had excellent reviews. 

Photos of my glasses as they appeared on Zenni.com

Now, I had my eyes checked at Pearl Eye Vision, where they had absolutely no problem with giving me my prescription and measuring my pupils as well. My understanding is that any optician is required by law to give you your own prescription. As far as the pupillary distance, you can easily measure it yourself or stop by any "eyeglass shop" to have it done. The third thing I needed were the measurements of my current glasses, which in my case were on the inside near the temple, and after the style and model number.

Armed with this information, I headed to Zenni to begin my search.  They guide you through the process, and it was fairly simple. I chose what kind of glasses (no line progressives) first. Then I entered some measurements-the bridge, the length of the sides and the height of the lenses (which is more subjective). In general, the guidelines I read said that you had about a two mm differental allowance when looking at glasses and the glasses that pulled up for me were generally in that range. I also had to enter the width of my glasses, the one place I measured myself. In this part of the process I could have specified shape (cat, round, rectangle and so on) as well as materials and even color and metallics.  I opted not to do that and just see what the glasses shown would be. 

This photo and the photo below show the color variation in the glasses better

My results pulled up about three pages of glasses, and I explored at length. Zenni.com also gave me the option of uploading a photo and "trying on" various glasses to compare. Eventually, I decided to go away from my tortoise shell-y colored glasses and go with a darker blue-a change for me, but I also knew I was probably going gray and that might be a good contrast. The lenses were slightly bigger than my old glasses. I also took a risk, and decided to go with glasses that were a couple mm smaller than my old ones, as my old ones were falling off every time I bent over. 

At this point in the process I entered my prescription-an easy matter, even with my progressives and the pupillary distance and began choosing my lenses. There were many options and I wont go into it here, except to say I chose the best of the "recommended" lenses that were Photocromic (changing) and gray. An experiment in darkness, as my current sunglasses are amber. I also chose a basic anti reflective coating, not bothering with a "blue blocker" because I have a blue shade on all of my devices that I can adjust for day or night. Finally, I did not choose sunglasses because at this point we were at the experimental stage. I did choose clip-ons to go with the glasses, being prepared to order prescription sunglasses depending on my satisfaction level (a screen print of my receipt is below).

I ordered my glasses on 9 October and decided simple priority would be fine. My glasses arrived yesterday, and I unpacked and put them on immediately. My prescription is not greatly different and so far I have not felt any adjustment issues. Said glasses were tight on the temples, but I did some bending with online instruction, and for the price I paid for these I have no problem whatsoever paying twenty five bucks for "professional alteration" if these do not loosen up a bit here.

While I'll wait to take an "on my face" picture until later in the day, the glasses are pretty darn close to the up close and personal picture that appeared in Zenni. They are extremely comfortable aside from the temples which I will adjust as needed, and I like the fact that the lenses are a bit bigger. While they are still considered the cat eye style, they give greater coverage, which I think I like.

I have not walked out side to see how well and how much the glasses will change (I know they don't change in the car, hence my clip ons until I get sunglasses). I've obviously only worn these a day, and will need more wear and tear to see how the glasses handle and how they loosen up on their own. The frames themselves seem as well made as any Pearl Vision frame and the fact that there are no initials on the side of my glasses bothers me not a whit.

After 24 hours, my Zenni review, without going outside is an A-both on the cost and on the performance side. My glasses, including shipping, were $120.00. I could, at this price, get a backup pair in a different color, sunglasses, and still not have spent as much money for a single pair as I probably would have even at Costco.

As I said, I will post a couple other reviews as we progress, but at this point I honestly do not see what's not to like about online glasses!