The eyes are one of the most important organs of our body as they help us see the world. Without correct vision, it becomes difficult to even function properly for basic everyday activities. Imagine breaking your eyeglasses and losing your ability to see everything clearly. Seems difficult, right? Therefore, eyeglasses are essential for people with vision problems. But have you ever wondered why eyeglasses, even after being necessary, are so expensive?
It’s hard not to roll your eyes when you see a non-designer pair of glasses with such a hefty price tag. And even when you buy them in a sale, how does the cost magically get so high when added to the cart? One may think that it’s due to the hidden costs of online shopping, but glasses at your nearby retail stores aren’t cheap, either. The cost of eyeglasses depends on multiple factors. From the material of your frame to what goes into the lenses, everything adds to the value and cost of your glasses. Let’s take a deep dive to understand all these factors and determine whether the high cost is worth it.
Different Types of Frame Material
If you think about it, your glasses are just two lenses fixed in a frame. We’ll talk about the types of lenses in the upcoming section, but let’s first find out the different types of materials used in glasses frames. The material of the frame could be acetate, metal, TR90, plastic, or wood. It means that the cost could differ based on which material you choose. Let’s dig deep into these options.
Acetate
Made from plant-based cellulose, acetate is used in glasses to boost their durability and impact resistance. Unlike plastic frames, acetate is biodegradable and hypoallergenic. This material is used in high-quality glasses frames to add strength. All the premium quality designer glasses, including the transparent glasses you see on celebrities these days, are mostly made of acetate.
Metal
Metal frames are durable and harder to break, and their malleable nature makes them easy to adjust. These frames come in an array of options, from titanium to stainless steel. Different types of metals have different costs. Thus, these frames could range from affordable to extremely expensive based on the type of metal you choose. Titanium frames have gained attention in recent years due to their strength, flexibility and lustre.
Wood
Wooden glasses have become so popular due to their natural appeal and simple designs. However, every piece of wooden eyeglasses is handcrafted to maintain that original look and give it a raw texture. And since it’s an eco-friendly option that requires the use of resources from nature, it is a bit costly than others. Wooden glasses are lightweight, comfortable and safe for your skin. If you take proper care of your wooden glasses, they might last longer than your regular acetate or metal frames.
TR90
TR90, also known as thermoplastic, is durable, bendable and lightweight. The material is extremely comfortable and can be bent under pressure. This is why it’s mostly used in sports glasses that require a snug fit. Since these frames are so flexible, they are less prone to damage. They have a rubber-like texture to give you a nice grip and support your active lifestyle. The frame takes the shape of the wearer’s face and doesn’t fall off no matter how intense the movements they make.
Plastic
Most of the inexpensive frames you find in the market are made with plastic material that can irritate your skin in the long run. They are quite cheap compared to other materials but come with many drawbacks. Therefore, we don’t offer plastic frames as they do not offer the premium finish and durability of acetate material.
Different Types of Lenses
While we all know that single-vision lenses are cheaper than varifocals, only some of us know that different types of lenses are available in the market. Here are some of the different types of lens options for you:
- Single-Vision lenses: These lenses are one of the most cost-effective lenses as they cater to your near or far vision problems. Most of the reading glasses or normal prescription individuals get these lenses fixed in their frames. At Specscart, you get our clear fully loaded lenses, which can be non-prescriptive or customised to your single vision prescription for free. They come loaded with anti-glare, anti-UV, anti-scratch, and impact-resistant coatings as standard.
- Varifocals: With age, most individuals get both near and farsightedness due to which it becomes difficult to switch between two frames. Though bifocals cater to both vision problems in one frame, they have an evident line distinguishing the same. Varifocals, on the other hand, offer a seamless vision across near, intermediate, and distance vision.
- Transitions lenses: If you are always on the go, between indoors and outdoors and struggle switching between glasses and sunglasses then Transitions lenses are the one for you. These lenses transition from clear glasses to a dark tint of your selected colour when exposed to UV rays.
- High-index lenses: People with a higher prescription often have to settle for lenses with a thick profile. However, they don’t look good and can cause a fishbowl effect. High-index lenses are a great alternative here as they can carry higher prescriptions without being too thick. These could be used for high or complex prescriptions and have a slim profile.
Various Lenses Coatings
Moving on to the lens coatings, you have different choices there as well. Coatings are filters that add value to your glasses and help you get better vision or increase the lifespan of your lenses. Even necessary coatings like anti-glare or anti-UV can cost you over £35 at the high-street opticians. We give anti-glare, anti-UV, anti-scratch, and impact-resistant coatings for free with any pair of glasses you purchase.
While anti-reflective or anti-glare coating blocks reflections on your lenses and makes your glasses look attractive, blue light filters are important for digital protection. If you have a screen-time-heavy lifestyle, you should add digital blue lenses to avoid digital eye strain.
Are Expensive Glasses Worth It?
Honestly speaking, I think you should never compromise your vision for some savings. If you’re buying low-quality glasses just because they’re cheap, don’t do it. They won’t help you with optimum vision correction. Always do your research and find out which brands offer affordable yet good-quality eyeglasses. To ease your search, Specscart offers affordable glasses online with 1000+ style options at 70% lower prices than the high street. You also get free 24-hour dispatch and free premium accessories with every order, which makes the deals even better..
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