Eyeglass Lens Retailer Recommendations

[churchilllafemme]

It's been quite a while since I bought eyeglass lenses, and the last time I purchased directly from my eye doctor. I now have a new prescription from a doctor who does not sell glasses, so I need to buy lenses to fit my current frame from a retailer. I want to go to a walk-in store rather than getting the lenses online. Fairly near to where I live are Lenscrafters, America's Best, Sears Optical, and Pearle Vision. Has anyone had experience with one or more of these stores, and if so, what are your recommendations?
Thanks!

[pausted]

John, in my experience you will need to go to an optician that grinds their own lenses. Probably a local guy. I think most of the big chains send their stuff to their central lab.

[brothers]

Last week my wife received a new prescription from the optometrist, and we went to LensCrafters. She got two pairs, regular and sunglasses. She is very satisfied with her new glasses. It took about a week or so to receive the new glasses.

[CMur12]

John, in my experience you will need to go to an optician that grinds their own lenses. Probably a local guy. I think most of the big chains send their stuff to their central lab.

Basil, why is that?

- Murray

[pausted]

Murray, I assumed that John wanted to keep his frames while the lenses are being prepared rather than send them to a distant lab. Maybe a bad assumption on my part.

[churchilllafemme]

Murray, I assumed that John wanted to keep his frames while the lenses are being prepared rather than send them to a distant lab. Maybe a bad assumption on my part.

I think that's an accurate assumption. Plus, I bought the frames at a local shop, so I'll probably just have the lenses made there and accept the higher cost. Anyway, I prefer to support a local small business.

[Rufus]

I've used LensCrafters in Canada and the USA and have found them to be quite satisfactory, particularly if I need my glasses in a rush. I do, however, prefer to buy from my optometrist, because I like to support him over a chain and he has a good selection of frames and lens types. I've also used Costco and they're fine, but the selection is so very limited to the point that I stopped using them several years ago.