Online vs 'Branded' prescription lenses
Discussion
Hey folks
This may seem like a odd thing to really put much thought into, however, I've been looking for a new set of glasses, settled on a set by Oakley (One of many Luxottica sub brands). Lots of places stock them, with a fairly massive price delta between the Oakley RRP, highstreet retailers, and online resellers. The only difference I can tell is that Oakley, and I assume the highstreet brands, will use Oakleys own lenses, and the online retailers all seem to use their own brand lenses.
However after a bit of poking about, I've found that GlassesDirect and a few other retailers use Essilor made lenses of various skews. Essilor, a company that merged with Luxottica in 2017. In fact some retailers offer the option of stocking the branded lenses or providing their own (Essilor skews, or some only list 'leading UK lens manufacturers). However the price difference is immense (50-100% increase with branded lenses).
This price disparity seems true of many frame brands, they will sell their frames on GlassesDirect or various other sites for ~£100, with the GD all bells and whistles (1.67, anti scratch anti UV etc etc) short sighted lenses running at £25-60. So £160ish all in, but the same glasses from the retailer with their own lenses run up to £250-300 (See: Oakley Carbons or Ray Ban Aviators).
So, I know there are a lot of clued up folk on here, just wondering if there is anyone in the optical trade who can actually shed light on what you are actually getting when you buy a brand name glasses lense, as on the surface they all seem to be made by the same folk with a similar feature set. I've been wearing a set of GD glasses for the last 2 years and really can't fault them (bought two actually, 2nd set where free)
This may seem like a odd thing to really put much thought into, however, I've been looking for a new set of glasses, settled on a set by Oakley (One of many Luxottica sub brands). Lots of places stock them, with a fairly massive price delta between the Oakley RRP, highstreet retailers, and online resellers. The only difference I can tell is that Oakley, and I assume the highstreet brands, will use Oakleys own lenses, and the online retailers all seem to use their own brand lenses.
However after a bit of poking about, I've found that GlassesDirect and a few other retailers use Essilor made lenses of various skews. Essilor, a company that merged with Luxottica in 2017. In fact some retailers offer the option of stocking the branded lenses or providing their own (Essilor skews, or some only list 'leading UK lens manufacturers). However the price difference is immense (50-100% increase with branded lenses).
This price disparity seems true of many frame brands, they will sell their frames on GlassesDirect or various other sites for ~£100, with the GD all bells and whistles (1.67, anti scratch anti UV etc etc) short sighted lenses running at £25-60. So £160ish all in, but the same glasses from the retailer with their own lenses run up to £250-300 (See: Oakley Carbons or Ray Ban Aviators).
So, I know there are a lot of clued up folk on here, just wondering if there is anyone in the optical trade who can actually shed light on what you are actually getting when you buy a brand name glasses lense, as on the surface they all seem to be made by the same folk with a similar feature set. I've been wearing a set of GD glasses for the last 2 years and really can't fault them (bought two actually, 2nd set where free)
caelite said:
Hey folks
This may seem like a odd thing to really put much thought into, however, I've been looking for a new set of glasses, settled on a set by Oakley (One of many Luxottica sub brands). Lots of places stock them, with a fairly massive price delta between the Oakley RRP, highstreet retailers, and online resellers. The only difference I can tell is that Oakley, and I assume the highstreet brands, will use Oakleys own lenses, and the online retailers all seem to use their own brand lenses.
However after a bit of poking about, I've found that GlassesDirect and a few other retailers use Essilor made lenses of various skews. Essilor, a company that merged with Luxottica in 2017. In fact some retailers offer the option of stocking the branded lenses or providing their own (Essilor skews, or some only list 'leading UK lens manufacturers). However the price difference is immense (50-100% increase with branded lenses).
This price disparity seems true of many frame brands, they will sell their frames on GlassesDirect or various other sites for ~£100, with the GD all bells and whistles (1.67, anti scratch anti UV etc etc) short sighted lenses running at £25-60. So £160ish all in, but the same glasses from the retailer with their own lenses run up to £250-300 (See: Oakley Carbons or Ray Ban Aviators).
So, I know there are a lot of clued up folk on here, just wondering if there is anyone in the optical trade who can actually shed light on what you are actually getting when you buy a brand name glasses lense, as on the surface they all seem to be made by the same folk with a similar feature set. I've been wearing a set of GD glasses for the last 2 years and really can't fault them (bought two actually, 2nd set where free)
All lenses, if not bought off a market barrow, sold in this country have to meet British Standards tolerances. There is NO difference in quality between any of the lenses available.This may seem like a odd thing to really put much thought into, however, I've been looking for a new set of glasses, settled on a set by Oakley (One of many Luxottica sub brands). Lots of places stock them, with a fairly massive price delta between the Oakley RRP, highstreet retailers, and online resellers. The only difference I can tell is that Oakley, and I assume the highstreet brands, will use Oakleys own lenses, and the online retailers all seem to use their own brand lenses.
However after a bit of poking about, I've found that GlassesDirect and a few other retailers use Essilor made lenses of various skews. Essilor, a company that merged with Luxottica in 2017. In fact some retailers offer the option of stocking the branded lenses or providing their own (Essilor skews, or some only list 'leading UK lens manufacturers). However the price difference is immense (50-100% increase with branded lenses).
This price disparity seems true of many frame brands, they will sell their frames on GlassesDirect or various other sites for ~£100, with the GD all bells and whistles (1.67, anti scratch anti UV etc etc) short sighted lenses running at £25-60. So £160ish all in, but the same glasses from the retailer with their own lenses run up to £250-300 (See: Oakley Carbons or Ray Ban Aviators).
So, I know there are a lot of clued up folk on here, just wondering if there is anyone in the optical trade who can actually shed light on what you are actually getting when you buy a brand name glasses lense, as on the surface they all seem to be made by the same folk with a similar feature set. I've been wearing a set of GD glasses for the last 2 years and really can't fault them (bought two actually, 2nd set where free)
There is a difference, however, in the tints and coatings available. If you are looking for sunglasses with an Rx then it may be that you will only find the specific combination in a certain manfacturer's list. However if you are looking for what have been called white lenses for over a hundred years then you might as well have generic lenses.
I worked in optics all my life and could hav pretty much whatever I wanted as I paid the bills and my sunglasses consist of a Raybans aviator (because I like the style) and polarised (not Polaroid) anti-reflection coated lenses. They are so comfortable visually that I'd never wear anything else.
If you want white any make of lens is just as good as another but always get an AR coating.
Don't let anyone tell you that you will see better in a branded pair because you won't.
As for varifocals, the situation is a little different. If you wear Vf's already and you are perfectly happy with the type you wear why would you change it? Stick with that one.
If you are a new wearer make sure they come with a warranty that says you can replace them if you can't tolerate them because some people can't for all sorts of reasons. But in the case of Vf's it's always best to go for known brand. Zeiss (though don't believe the hype and don't pay over the odds for them) Hoya (I wear those) , Essilor ( the makes of the first Vf's), Nikon and Seiko are all good brands. Your optician will have his own first choice brand but if he says a given brand is better than all the others ask him how.
As for 1.67, do you have strong Rx? Pointless if you're not over -4.00. A certain chain had a practice opposite ours and their staff suggested 1.67 to pretty much everyone ( because it's a better lens), better for their turnover perhaps. If they do that ask them to work out how much thinner and how much better you will see. You will find the answer surprising if you're under -4.00.
Anyway, that's my opinion.
I’ve been wearing glasses since I was 7yo. I usually go for Hoya lenses as they are the best in anti scratch and less distortion, due to my very high lens.
I tried a few online retailers, after going to high street names and specialists, and without doubt it was a disaster on both occasions.
The lense coating just rubbed off and scratched after less than six months. The glasses were totally useless, both glasses and sunglasses.
I used glassesdirect and glasses2you. Both said the lenses were Esselsior.
Judging by the price I doubt they were.
Normally I’d pay min £400 for the lenses alone. These were £230 for two pairs! (Glasses2you).
I notice they all get good reviews but I wonder how many of those reviews are after six months?
I urge you to go to an actual store where they can properly advise you on suitable frames, lenses and fit them properly. Plus you can have an in-depth eye inspection.
These online retailers are a bunch of cowboys.
Good luck!
P.S Hoya are da bomb!
I tried a few online retailers, after going to high street names and specialists, and without doubt it was a disaster on both occasions.
The lense coating just rubbed off and scratched after less than six months. The glasses were totally useless, both glasses and sunglasses.
I used glassesdirect and glasses2you. Both said the lenses were Esselsior.
Judging by the price I doubt they were.
Normally I’d pay min £400 for the lenses alone. These were £230 for two pairs! (Glasses2you).
I notice they all get good reviews but I wonder how many of those reviews are after six months?
I urge you to go to an actual store where they can properly advise you on suitable frames, lenses and fit them properly. Plus you can have an in-depth eye inspection.
These online retailers are a bunch of cowboys.
Good luck!
P.S Hoya are da bomb!
bongtom said:
These online retailers are a bunch of cowboys.
With respect, that may be your opinion but it is very wide of the mark. There are reputable online retailers as well as bad ones. One of the reasons online retailers can provide the same lenses (including branded lenses) for less is because of the lower overheads. bongtom said:
I notice they all get good reviews but I wonder how many of those reviews are after six months?
I would recommend checking that he company are using a reputable third party reviews company to collect reviews (e.g. trust pilot, reviews.co.uk etc.). In our case, it is impossible for us to delete a bad review, all we can do is reply to it.Johnspex gave some great advice above, the one thing I would add is for Varifocal lenses, one reason why you might want to go for a branded lens is due to the way the lenses are made. The latest digital freeform lenses provide a wider field of view. Kodak is also an excellent brand.
I agree that Johnspex advice was good, yet from my perspective for critical and especially for anyone with a complicated scrip in my opinion online sellers might be cheaper but it's the fit that matters. A proper clued up professional can make lots of measurements and adjustments that is impossible with an online supplier.
Appreciated the observations about different lens manufacturers. My two years test is coming up.
Appreciated the observations about different lens manufacturers. My two years test is coming up.
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