Eyeglasses

[DBaty]

I am new to the Villages and need new glasses (I have a prescription from my ophthalmologist so I do not need an eye exam). Any recommendations? Have you gone to Sam's Club for glasses and how was the experience? I used Costco before moving to The Villages and they did a good job and were reasonably priced, but I do not want to drive to Clermont.

[villagetinker]

I have been using Hindsight in Pinellas Plaza for 10 years, reasonable prices, great service. I have a complicated prescription, but typically get the same day glasses, at worst the next day.

[retiredguy123]

If you are looking to save money, Zenni.com is way cheaper than Sam's and Costco, and they have a much better selection. I can usually buy 4 or 5 pairs of prescription eyeglasses for the cost of one pair in any store.

Also, ophthalmologists usually do not examine eyes for an eyeglass prescription. It is done by a non-doctor technician in their office. I go to an ophthalmologist annually for a medical appointment, but I use an optometrist for an eyeglass prescription. The optometrist at Peepers in Colony Plaza, Dr. Collins, is very reasonable, and he will write a prescription for two years instead of the usual one year.

[biggamefish1]

I believe they have closed the Pinellas store.

[retiredguy123]

I believe they have closed the Pinellas store.
The Hindsight store in Pinellas Plaza is not closed. Also, the Peepers store in Colony Plaza is not closed.

[gatorbill1]

Walmart probably cheapest for same RX

[Smalley]

We use Ocala Eye. There is an office in Laurel manor and one near Fenny. This is a full service eye care organization with many specialized ophthamologists as well as a full eyeglass department with good service and good prices.

[bobeaston]

After an unsatisfactory result, and even less satisfactory customer service (must have been a bad day for the doc?) at a store in Colony Plaza, we tried Zennie Optical online (https://www.zennioptical.com/) and are very satisfied. Sure, it takes a few days, but quality is great and service excellent. Good prices too.

[Rzepecki]

Another vote for Hindsight.

[Cliff Fr]

After an unsatisfactory result, and even less satisfactory customer service (must have been a bad day for the doc?) at a store in Colony Plaza, we tried Zennie Optical online (https://www.zennioptical.com/) and are very satisfied. Sure, it takes a few days, but quality is great and service excellent. Good prices too.

I looked at Renni. They don't appear to have any metal frames available, only plastic

[Cliff Fr]

After an unsatisfactory result, and even less satisfactory customer service (must have been a bad day for the doc?) at a store in Colony Plaza, we tried Zennie Optical online (https://www.zennioptical.com/) and are very satisfied. Sure, it takes a few days, but quality is great and service excellent. Good prices too.

I looked at Zenni. They don't appear to have any metal frames available, only plastic

[bowlingal]

you don't say where you live in the villages. If near Pinellas Plaza, go to Hindsight.

[Spanish4us]

I am new to the Villages and need new glasses (I have a prescription from my ophthalmologist so I do not need an eye exam). Any recommendations? Have you gone to Sam's Club for glasses and how was the experience? I used Costco before moving to The Villages and they did a good job and were reasonably priced, but I do not want to drive to Clermont.


Village Optical on 466 next to the Publix. Good selection of frames, great service, glasses produced in-house.

[Remembergoldenrule]

Costco if you are member or Walmart. Realize there are only a few manufacturers of the lenses and frames. They just put different names on them.

[mlmarr]

I am new to the Villages and need new glasses (I have a prescription from my ophthalmologist so I do not need an eye exam). Any recommendations? Have you gone to Sam's Club for glasses and how was the experience? I used Costco before moving to The Villages and they did a good job and were reasonably priced, but I do not want to drive to Clermont.

BJ's watch for their BOGO deals, got mine there very satisfied!

[dougawhite]

If you're a Medicare Advantage customer then you probably have several hundred dollars available to offset the cost of new eyeglasses. Check the MA website for in-network providers.

[Albany]

I am new to the Villages and need new glasses (I have a prescription from my ophthalmologist so I do not need an eye exam). Any recommendations? Have you gone to Sam's Club for glasses and how was the experience? I used Costco before moving to The Villages and they did a good job and were reasonably priced, but I do not want to drive to Clermont.
Warby parker online.. try the frame on virtually and order. Upload the Rx. They will be perfect and at least half of what you would pay at any eye place.

[retiredguy123]

I looked at Zenni. They don't appear to have any metal frames available, only plastic
I don't know where you looked, but Zenni.com has every type of frame you can imagine, including all types of metal frames: stainless steel, titanium, and others. Their selection of frames is probably 10 times the selection you will find at most local stores. And, they include all dimensions and the weight of every frame. Most stores will only offer one size frame for each style, whereas Zenni often has several different sizes.

[ThirdOfFive]

I am new to the Villages and need new glasses (I have a prescription from my ophthalmologist so I do not need an eye exam). Any recommendations? Have you gone to Sam's Club for glasses and how was the experience? I used Costco before moving to The Villages and they did a good job and were reasonably priced, but I do not want to drive to Clermont.
If you're confident in your prescribing doc, then you might think about Wal-Mart. I use the one on 441 (Summerfield?) and used Wal-Mart for probably 15 years before moving here. You'll have to wait 4-5 days for your glasses (the store will call when your glasses are received) but the cost there is about half what you'd pay at a place like, for example, Ocala Eye. Good quality and they'll tune up your glasses whenever.

[Mrs S]

Ive used sams club a few times and they always do a great job. Nice selection of frames and they help you pick out what fits your face and looks best on you.

[CFollansbee]

My husband and I both go to Lange Eye Institute for eye exams and glasses. You didn’t state whether you had eye insurance for exams and glasses. Or whether your prescription is basic or progressive. Mine is progressive and if the glasses are not measured correctly with your eye, you are going to have problems ordering them from an online company.

[donfey]

I am new to the Villages and need new glasses (I have a prescription from my ophthalmologist so I do not need an eye exam). Any recommendations? Have you gone to Sam's Club for glasses and how was the experience? I used Costco before moving to The Villages and they did a good job and were reasonably priced, but I do not want to drive to Clermont.
Clear View Optics, 8481 SE 165th Mulberry Ln, The Villages, FL 32162, is a family owned business, husband and wife. They have been VERY good to and for us.

[Djean1981]

We love Zenni! We save hundreds $$. We compared Zenni's photochromatic lenses to the newer Transitions, and they get dark and back to clear at the same rate. When you go to the eye doctor to get your prescription, ask for your PD measurement. If you don't get it, Zenni has instructions on how to measure yourself.

[MrFlorida]

Sam's or Walmart do a decent job.

[Villagesgal]

Not true, Zennie has plenty of metal frames including titanium frams at a fraction of the cost, also many stainless steel frames. I have used them for years and they are wonderful. They do progressives and transitions too, also at less than half the price.

[retiredguy123]

We love Zenni! We save hundreds $$. We compared Zenni's photochromatic lenses to the newer Transitions, and they get dark and back to clear at the same rate. When you go to the eye doctor to get your prescription, ask for your PD measurement. If you don't get it, Zenni has instructions on how to measure yourself.
For my most recent prescription, I ordered 5 pairs from Zenni. I keep a pair in the car and in every room in my house. If a pair breaks, I throw it away. At a local store, I would have paid the same price for just one pair. I have found that special coatings are overrated, but the frame size and weight are important for comfort. Zenni lists the exact size and weight of every frame. Stores provide some, but not all of this information, and they ususally only offer one size for each style they sell.

[retiredguy123]

Not true, Zennie has plenty of metal frames including titanium frams at a fraction of the cost, also many stainless steel frames. I have used them for years and they are wonderful. They do progressives and transitions too, also at less than half the price.
I bought a pair of the titanium frames, but I found it very difficult to bend the nose pieces. I guess titanium is much stronger than stainless steel.

[Djean1981]

On zenni.com, I searched for metal under men's frames and there are 361 results... My spouse is wearing metal frames from Zenni.

[OhioBuckeye]

I am new to the Villages and need new glasses (I have a prescription from my ophthalmologist so I do not need an eye exam). Any recommendations? Have you gone to Sam's Club for glasses and how was the experience? I used Costco before moving to The Villages and they did a good job and were reasonably priced, but I do not want to drive to Clermont.

Whenever you change Opthalmologist they need their own exam. So you will have to let whoever do an exam.

[retiredguy123]

Whenever you change Opthalmologist they need their own exam. So you will have to let whoever do an exam.
In my experience, most opthalmologists do not do exams for eyeglasses. If they offer the service (which they call refraction), it will be done by a non-doctor technician. I visit an ophthalmologist annually to check for eye diseases, but I get my eyeglass exam from an optometrist, who is a licensed doctor.

[HORNET]

JC Penny’s in Ocala !

[TeresaE]

Walmart on 466. They do a fantastic job. I’ve been wearing glasses since I was 14.

[jimjamuser]

Sam's should work out fine. They have good people working there and lots of frame choices.

[Freeda]

We have used Eye Drs of Optical Outlet for years. Always good. In the plaza where Best Buy is in Lady Lake.

[ColtsFan]

Another vote for Hindsight in Pinellas Plaza. They have a very large selection of frames. They have their own Lab so you can even get your glasses the same day since they do not send them out to a lab.

[paulajr]

I looked at Zenni. They don't appear to have any metal frames available, only plastic
They absolutely DO have metal frames…I have a pair!

[PootleK]

I've used goggles4u.com for 20 years, the prescription has always been correct, but you'll have to wait about 3 weeks for them to be sent to you. If you sign up for an account, and wait you'll get offers in your email like 2 for 1 or 70% off. I usually pay about $35 for a pair of single prescription glasses. If you want progressives/varifocals it'll be closer to $80. Still great value though.

[LeRoySmith]

I just used Sam's with the Rx from my doc. They worked out great

[Emkay56]

I order my glasses online from zenni optical. They are very affordable and have many frames to choose from. I got a offsite of regular glasses for less than $30 and a pair of progressive sun glasses for under $60. You can even virtually try on the frames.

I am new to the Villages and need new glasses (I have a prescription from my ophthalmologist so I do not need an eye exam). Any recommendations? Have you gone to Sam's Club for glasses and how was the experience? I used Costco before moving to The Villages and they did a good job and were reasonably priced, but I do not want to drive to Clermont.

[Mulliganguy]

Eyeglass world up on 441 in the same mall that Millers Ale House is in on the other end, they’re very reasonable two for the price of one.

[OhioBuckeye]

In my experience, most opthalmologists do not do exams for eyeglasses. If they offer the service (which they call refraction), it will be done by a non-doctor technician. I visit an ophthalmologist annually to check for eye diseases, but I get my eyeglass exam from an optometrist, who is a licensed doctor.

But that’s my point you still had to let the optometrist or new office do there eye exam!

[DrHitch]

I had s good pair of prescription glasses that I lost and they were quickly replaced by Hindsight.

The staff was friendly and the glasses were very nice, albeit a little bit expensive.

So I learned my lesson and now put my phone number inside of all of my glass cases!

[KCAlan]

Ocala Eye on Warms Springs Rd has both types of eye doctors and a prescription glasses store. It’s a new office in the Villages.

[retiredguy123]

But that’s my point you still had to let the optometrist or new office do there eye exam!
Yes, I understand.

I used to think that it was a state law that an eyeglass prescription required an annual renewal. But, apparently not because the optometrist I use, Dr. Collins, gives me a 2-year prescription. And, when I order glasses from Zenni, they don't even require a copy of the prescription or the doctor's name. They just want the numbers from the prescription.

[George Cantu]

Go to Walmart on 466.

[Glewellen]

Comment on Zenni. Used them twice. Good glasses. As other person mentioned, very reasonable price.

[Topspinmo]

Walmart probably cheapest for same RX


Good if you have average size face, they don’t fit them to you face dimensions. So you get what you get.

[retiredguy123]

Good if you have average size face, they don’t fit them to you face dimensions. So you get what you get.
Eyeglasses come in different sizes, but I don't know of anyone who will make a custom sized frame. Zenni has a huge selection of different size frames and they show you the exact dimensions of every part of the frame. They also include the weight of the frames, which is important for comfort.

[DonnaNi4os]

Clear View Optix near Mulberry rec center. Ron has a fantastic selection of unique frames and he is the nicest man.
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