I’ve been wearing glasses since I was in preschool. Lucky me, I was born in the early 80′s, so those oversized plastic deals were all the rage in the optical world at the time. Pretty sure I sported some giant pastel pink specs for most of my childhood. Now that I’m an “adult” and supposed to take care of my vision on my own, I try to do this as least expensively as possible. After spending upwards of $400 on a visit and set of glasses a few years ago, I’ve learned some ways to cut corners making vision care more affordable.

Last set of glasses I got, I purchased them on ebay for $20. I brought them in to my optometrist and after a check up and paying for prescription lenses, spent about $200. Here’s what I got:

White, half-rim glasses with a crustacean imprinted on the side. I’ve loved these glasses for a long time, but its time for something new. I went for the ebay route originally this time around, but the glasses I got made me look cross eyed!

Enter: Warby Parker.

Warby Parker only sells glasses online, but you can opt for a “home try on” where they send you sample frames FOR FREE, which you send back after giving them a whirl. If you like ‘em, you can order them. There is also a “virtual try on”: upload a shot of yourself and try on any pair on their site. I opted for the virtual try-on.

Once you’re ready to purchase some frames, you can either enter your prescription, have them call your doctor for the prescription, or order without scripted lenses. Prescription lenses come with anti-glare, anti-scratch at no extra cost! Oh – and speaking of cost – every pair on their website is $95. YES! That includes frames, lenses and shipping. And, if you can believe it, it gets better. For every pair sold, they donate a pair to someone in need. Love.

All of their frames are vintage inspired, and most come in several colors. Personally, I fell in love with the Huxley, in Whiskey Tortoise (as Brave New World is one of my favorite books, the name sealed the deal):

I’ve been drooling over these glasses for MONTHS and, after a $64 eye exam at Costo earlier today (another win!), I finally ordered these babies! I’ll give an update when they arrive in 10 business days or less as they promised.

Please check them out at: http://www.warbyparker.com/   Their website explains how they keep costs down and how they manage to give a pair to those in developing countries without vision care.

Obviously, my blog is small potatoes, so I just want to clarify I’m in no way sponsored by Warby Parker. I just really like what they do!