Walmart. These things break so often, go with a cheap pair. Don't pay for anything extra except maybe anti reflective coating.

Anonymous wrote:I agree with ordering online. The markup on frames is out of control.

Just make sure you get polycarbonate lenses for our kid. Other than that, there are tons of great websites.

I wrote about Zenni Optical. http://www.zennioptical.com/kids
Eye doctor charged me 85 dollars more for polycarbonate lenses. They were 9 (yes, nine!) dollars more at Zenni. I paid 35 dollars for a pair of cute glasses for my son including polycarbonate lenses. I paid 23 dollars for the frame, 9 dollars for polycarbonate lenses, and $1.95 to engrave my son's name on inside arm. So total $34.90. They really are as nice as the ones I paid over 300 dollars at the optometrist. Another pair the frames were only

Anonymous wrote:Jonaspaul.com

sorry it's jonaspauleyewear.com
I just got a cute pair for my daughter for $70.

Anonymous wrote:Costco!!! So much cheaper and lots of styles. You are welcome.

...did you read what she wrote?

Costco!!! So much cheaper and lots of styles. You are welcome.

OP here. Thanks all. This last time we looked, we visited Apex Optical and they had a wide variety and wonderful customer service. But they wanted nearly $500 and I couldn't spend that kind of money for a 4 year old. That's how we ended up at Costco, which was fine. Except we got frames that were screw in and she lost the screw more than once, and had nose pads (she's had them break off, twist sideways and are generally uncomfortable). Every single time, I had to find time to find a Costco and get them fixed. PITA. I don't think she's particularly hard on glasses either; I just think we picked a pair that weren't suited for a young, active kid.

Someone recently told me about a site called Optiwow. Might take a look at them too.

Does it ever work to go into a store, find some frames you like, then buy online? If you buy online, who fits them to your child's face and fixes them when they need adjustments?

I agree with ordering online. The markup on frames is out of control.

Just make sure you get polycarbonate lenses for our kid. Other than that, there are tons of great websites.

For Eyes

Jonaspaul.com

I got new glasses from My Eye doctor. Together we looked up the frames I wanted. Listed online for $375 and in store they charged me $425

Ludicrous mark ups across the board like this. Avoid.

I know you said My Eye Doctor didn't work, but we have been very pleased with the one at Cavin John. My son probably needs adjustments at least monthly and they always do it with a smile. We also have used the warranty for a free pair every year (he's rather tough on his glasses...) and they are always wonderful about it and never give us a hard time.

I just bought my son 4 pairs of glasses from Zenni Optical, which is an online store. I researched the cheapest place to buy glasses with the best quality and Zenni was it. The 4 pairs of glasses were about the same as one pair from Costco and much less than one pair from the eye doctor. I actually could have bought 8 to 10 pairs of glasses from Zenni for what I paid the eye doctor for my kid's first pair of glasses. I think the quality is the same. Most frames and lenses are made in China anyway. Zenni just cuts out the middle man. My son needs glasses for reading so it is nice to have one pair at school, one pair in his desk at home, one pair on his nightstand, and a backup pair.

I took my 4th grader to SEE optical in Georgetown.

I was very happy with LensCrafters at Montgomery Mall. My 3rd grader had many options, and the woman who helped us was very, very good with her.

Need to get DD a new pair of glasses. We're in Bethesda and I'm looking for recommendation of retail shops to look in. I want her to be able to try on lots of different styles.

This will be her third pair -- the first pair came from My Eye Doctor and the second pair from Costco. I haven't been terribly pleased with either store. Suggestions?