Hello,

I need new glasses. This would not be a problem if I had an average prescription or a less difficult to fit face. I was basically told today I should gratefully take whatever I can get! It will probably cost me about $500 or more for just the lenses. I need to see as clearly as possible. I am correctable to about 20/30.

My rx is -8 in one eye and -8.5 in the other with an add back of 2.5. I wear a progressive lens. I am going nuts trying to find a decent optician who I can trust to make me a beautiful/functional pair of glasses. Chain stores wave me out the door. I need a wide pair (53-54) with square shaped frames. I have almost no bridge (16-18 max) and my face tends to swell on the sides causing the temples to dig into my head. Also because of the progressives I need a depth of about 30. Any deeper and it digs into my cheeks. Oh yeah, and my eyelashes scrape with every blink. I already have high index 1.67.

I know contacts would be perfect. I wore them for 30 years and had to give them up due to allergies and dry eyes. It looks like I am condemned to glasses until I get cataracts.

I would really appreciate suggestions on how to find an optician who fits difficult people. Or frames or lenses that might be better.

You sound just like me before my cataract surgery. I have different issues now, but was like you for many years.
I found that I could only be happy with rimless glasses with spring hinges or with metal temple pieces that flex and then go back to their set shape.
With rimless glasses you can get any shape or size you want. I even designed my own shape once.

Got an eyeglass quote today. Discounted it was $1000! I about choked! Yes, the frames were almost $300 but they were one of the few that would fit my face. The high cost was the lenses.

In doing some research I have found some people complaining about the Varilux Panamic. That is what I have had for the last 3 years and I do NOT feel I can see well with them.

How can I pick through the sale hype and really figure out the right lens? I'm still searching for a good optician!

Since it seems to be the lenses that cost so much, this might not be very useful, but have you looked at men's frames?

Since it seems to be the lenses that cost so much, this might not be very useful, but have you looked at men's frames?

I've definitely looked at the unisex frames, but thanks for suggesting.

Before my cataract surgery, my vision correction was minus 10 in each eye. My glasses always cost about $800 if I wanted them to look at all decent with the thinner lenses, etc. It was so frustrating.