A few decades ago, eyeglasses were a prized possession – worn by those whom necessity dictated needed help with their eyesight and costing a pretty packet. And in times of severe shortage, such as during the second world war, you did without the luxuries, and sometimes even the necessities.
By contrast, sunglasses and goggles were a must in the army, especially for those flying planes and driving army trucks. During WWII, aviator glasses were distributed to the pilots to protect their eyes from the sun’s glare. They soon became a dashing symbol of the men and women risking their lives on a daily basis to protect their country. In 1937 Bausch & Lomb introduced their ‘anti-glare’ glasses consisting of green tinted lenses to filter out the sun’s rays. Soon, the glasses became popular outside the army, with Hollywood stars electing to wear them.
Over the following years, styles began to change as did shapes, lenses and prices. While during the 1940’s and 1950’s, eyeglass frames began to gain in width, rimless glasses, C bridge styles and the slipper temple eyeglass shapes continued to be within everyone’s reach. But not everyone’s budget.
With the advent of the Internet and as eyeglasses began to be retailed online, their reach spread, their sales grew, and soon it was more affordable than ever to invest in a pair of eyeglasses. Today, almost everyone can buy a pair of prescription eyeglasses, bearing in mind certain things will add to its cost:
Brand names: A branded pair of eyeglasses can cost triple the price of a regular pair, yet most often they are more durable making them worth the investment. If you do prefer to select a branded pair, visit online sites which offer designer eyewear at affordable prices.
Additions: Add-ons like anti reflective lenses or lenses with scratch resistant coating can come at a premium cost. Make a list of what you must have, and what you can do without before beginning your research.
Expedited requests: If you are in a hurry for your pair of glasses, you may need to pay extra to have the manufacturing and shipping process sped up.
Despite these extra charges, eyeglasses are affordable thanks to technology which continues to deliver more for less. The cost of making frames and lenses has dropped considerably, and online stores can pass on these savings to its customers. Not all stores put the needs of the customer first, so you have to be careful when buying from online retailers. It is easy to get fake brands and defective lenses passed on with little or no guarantee of a replacement being made. Make sure you get a warranty when buying online, and ask what return policies and shipping charges apply.
For veterans in particular and those who remember the good old days, but not necessarily the good old prices, it is important to research the various options of buying a pair of prescription eyeglasses. In most instances, veterans are entitled under the Veterans Health Care Eligibility Reform Act of 1996 to receive eye care including eyeglasses and eye surgery and cataract removal if required. And for those who equate style with affordability, there are plenty of branded discounted eyeglasses available to suit your requirements and your budget.