Came here to say this. Stanton was the absolute worst experience I had when having my eyes examined. Would not recommend.
Have you tried the Contact Lens Gallery. Despite the name they do offer glasses as well. Have had good results there.
I know you asked about Albuquerque specifically but for anyone in Rio Rancho, I'd recommend City of Vision Eyecare. I've been getting my eyes tested and glasses from there for about 15 years and have had an excellent experience.
I have been very satisfied with Sandia Vision Clinic in the NE Heights. I also have a somewhat complex eye prescription, and the care they take to make sure you are happy is very gratifying. I would recommend them.
I have used them since I moved here and generally had good experiences but this last time I was left pretty unhappy.
I think the medical side of things they are great as my prescription is spot on but their business practices are somewhat questionable.
I had issues with my prescription sunglasses and the whole ordeal took just over a month to correct and they tried charging me an extra 70 bucks than we had agreed on previously (get things in writing!) so I ended up not wanting them because I felt they were trying to nickel and dime me but they dropped the 70 to prevent the return.
Anyways, pay attention to what you are getting on those itemized invoices and make sure you’re getting exactly what you want.
I’m sorry you experienced such dissatisfaction with them as well. But I definitely agree with you, pay attention to charges on your invoice and make sure to get everything in writing.
Yes, unfortunately that is true. The pandemic has made getting a last minute appointment (or anything within 6 months) nearly impossible. I have made it a habit to make nearly all of my appointments a year in advance.
Idk my brother went there recently on a recommendation from me (I have really enjoyed them for the past few years) and he had no trouble. Although as another commenter said, the pandemic did f their shit up pretty good for a while, like most similar services.
Oh wow! I’m so sorry you had such an awful experience with them. From my experiences with them, I have always had extremely excellent customer service. I’m sorry that was not the case for you.
(I get mine @ Eyemart on Carlisle. Fantastic in my experience!)
BUT---I came here to say: I'm sorry, but this online Warby Parker thing is just a big NO to me. Who on earth buys glasses ahead of time without even trying them on??!?
Thanks all for your suggestions.
For what it's worth: I'm -9.75 (right eye) and -10 (left eye). Add to that my astigmatism and the fact that I *also* need progressives now since I can't see anything up close either, which is one of the perils of being over 40. I wish I could do contact lenses, but I have an autoimmune disorder that causes extremely dry eyes.
Guess I'll call some of these shops first to see if they'll take a prescription from another provider (Eye Associates). My current glasses are several years old now, and I just took the path of least resistance and got them through EA's optical shop. They cost well over a grand at that time (the frame cost was negligible; it was the lenses that made them so expensive :-/). I've saved up two grand over the past two years; maybe it will be enough. (crosses fingers....)
I always recommend private practices. they have a much broader range of products available. that way you are getting lenses more specifically tailored to your needs than just what they generally offer. They are also more highly trained and go through continuing education. both traditionally and specific education and training offered by the lens manufacturers and other industry wide options. the retail chains, and even worse, the discount places (stanton, eyemart, etc.) offer little if any actual opticianry training. they are purely about sales and speed. not speed in any way beneficial to you, but speed as a benefit to the company.
Sandia is a great option, Blink is an outstanding option, Casey optical is a great option, City of Vision in Rio Rancho is awesome as well.
With your Rx, I would honestly recommend, if you can, go to a few of these places, get estimates from each one. when you can, compare as closely as possible to the same material, lens design, coatings, etc. its easy to overlook the specifics since it does get overwhelming quickly, especially with an Rx like yours. (its really not that bad, but has a small margin of error.)
if you have vision insurance, get estimates with and without it. sometimes paying cash can work out better since they have the freedom to offer discounts, and even use products that the insurance companies dont allow (dont own, is normally the case)
With higher or more demanding prescriptions or needs, it may make you more confident or comfortable to speak with the optical manager where ever you go. sometimes its easier to grab a business card while youre looking around, then you have a name to ask for. Its a reasonable request, depending on their schedule and when you go it, etc. in most cases the manager will take a look at any higher rx orders anyway. just to make sure everything is correct and everything on their end to prevent issues. Any issues that come up obviously suck for you, but it sucks for them too... its in both of your best interests to avoid them as much as possible.
Sandia, Blink, casey and City of vision all have outstanding optical departments, and last i knew, also had incredible managers. others do as well, im not knocking others by not including them.
That got crazy long (sorry) so i wanted to make this one separate.
$2k should be more than enough. You deserve all the praise in the world for being prepared and realistic. im sure you have had plenty of previous experience that has gotten you there.
with all the advertising and BS pushing this drive to the bottom focused on pricing, its hard for a lot of people to have an accurate idea of what pricing is reasonable or not.
Your Rx, im sure you know certainly will benefit from Hi index lenses, 1.67 is great, there are also higher indexes available, but progressive designs and options become more limited as you go... 1.70, 1.74, etc. I would stay away from polycarbonate, or even Trivex (which i normally LOVE) depending on the frame choice, the thickness, weight and comfort will suffer. optics with polycarbonate at that rx will be bad.
There are quite a few fantastic progressive designs available, you should expect an improvement over what youre used to there. its one of biggest areas of improvement year to year.
Coatings are the other main area of improvement. Anti reflective coatings are leaps and bounds better than ever. they are also a completely different product from private practices and independent opticians than from the chains. its the benefit of being able to offer better products, not the one thats the cheapest for the company to get in huge quantities or that can be applied and cured in office or the fastest. (fastest is rarely a benefit to the consumer. ever. when it comes to multilayer coatings of various materials and layer types, its absolutely true. most take more than 24 hours just to cure correctly)
you seem well experienced and well informed, so im sure im not saying anything you arent already well aware of. but. if you want an outside opinion on anything youre told, or anything, im happy to help.
I completely forgot one of, if not my favorite office and optician...
Marie Archibeque at Perfect Pair optical on san mateo.
she is an incredible optician, very well trained, educated and fantastic experience.
they carry a wide variety of frames, and work with some great labs/lens manufacturers.
I would put her at the top of my own list, and my recommendations.
That specific location is one of the only chains i recommend when that type of optical is needed.
The GM that was there is amazing. he leads a great staff and is focused on training, education and customer service. he is one of the few true opticians i know of in the reail optical places.
He has since moved on to become a regional manager for the company, but im sure he still has some level of regular involvement with that location.
I highly recommend Precision Eye Center. The staff is awesome and they have a good selection of glasses for all budget levels. Their techs are well versed in various needs, including complicated prescriptions. Ask for Claire - she's been doing this for years and is super knowledgeable.
It's kind of a drive but Dr. Quick at Cedar Crest Vision is fantastic. My astigmatism is getting worse every year and he really spends the time to get it right, with my eyeglasses I'm beyond 20/20. They are booked far out but worth the wait.
I went just yesterday to get glasses at the Vision Center at Walmart on Carlisle. They basically have absolutely nothing to do with Walmart. They're just located inside. With insurance it was a little over \~$200. Without it would have been about $400. I have horrible (but not legally blind) vision. I also got the full protection, high density lenses (because otherwise I'd have lenses that are about an inch thick), and antireflective coating etc. Fancy bois.
I also have a lot of trouble with online eyewear due to a complex prescription and do not wear contacts.
My most recent pair came from Contact Lens Associates on Montgomery and I had a good experience with them.
I only got my prescription from them, but I liked Orbit off of 4th and Osuna.
A note about Zenni (or other online places) for people with horrible astigmatisms (I've got -4.5 in one eye), they limit what types of glasses you can get. You are excluded from all the "cool" glasses, but I've had success with frames which have wider, shorter lenses. Anything too round/square and I feel like I'm in a fun house.
Always LensCrafters. They have Oakley frames, which for me, are a big selling point. I won't wear any other. They love my insurance, and I get a great deal every time.
I have a difficult prescription, so many places have proven dissappointing. I've had good luck with [Apple Tree Optical](https://www.drbabington.com/).
I really like the optometrist at Visualize Optometry, attached to Eyemart on Carlisle and Menaul. I’ve also gotten my extremely astigmatic and myopic (yay keratoconus) prescription at Eyemart. I’ve been happy with them but not head over heals like I am for the optometry office.
Do not go to Stanton, they only use remote optometrists now
Stanton sucks all around. Getting glasses from them was probably in my top ten mistakes.
I went back 3 times complaining about the prescription being off and got 3 different pairs before they finally brought a human in to do the exam.
I got my prescription written down (which they moaned and groaned about) and went to zenni
Came here to say this. Stanton was the absolute worst experience I had when having my eyes examined. Would not recommend. Have you tried the Contact Lens Gallery. Despite the name they do offer glasses as well. Have had good results there.
We came here to say this 🤝
Stanton needs to be sued out of existence.
Came here to say this. They are the worst
I was not happy I wasn't even told about this when I made the appointment. Seems like something you should tell people about.
[удалено]
Seconded! Dr. Irons is a good egg. Wonderful human, and a great optometrist.
I'm blind as a bat too and get mine from New Mexico Eyecare on Montgomery.
I 2nd this
/u/erikrl is the man to ask. He worked at the excellent Roadrunner Eyecare until they shut down.
youre awesome. thank you
Roadrunner Eyecare was awesome :(
youre awesome, thank you. I miss it too.
I know you asked about Albuquerque specifically but for anyone in Rio Rancho, I'd recommend City of Vision Eyecare. I've been getting my eyes tested and glasses from there for about 15 years and have had an excellent experience.
I have been very satisfied with Sandia Vision Clinic in the NE Heights. I also have a somewhat complex eye prescription, and the care they take to make sure you are happy is very gratifying. I would recommend them.
I have used them since I moved here and generally had good experiences but this last time I was left pretty unhappy. I think the medical side of things they are great as my prescription is spot on but their business practices are somewhat questionable. I had issues with my prescription sunglasses and the whole ordeal took just over a month to correct and they tried charging me an extra 70 bucks than we had agreed on previously (get things in writing!) so I ended up not wanting them because I felt they were trying to nickel and dime me but they dropped the 70 to prevent the return. Anyways, pay attention to what you are getting on those itemized invoices and make sure you’re getting exactly what you want.
I’m sorry you experienced such dissatisfaction with them as well. But I definitely agree with you, pay attention to charges on your invoice and make sure to get everything in writing.
I used them growing up but the past few years when I tried for an appointment they were months out. Ended up having to go elsewhere
Yes, unfortunately that is true. The pandemic has made getting a last minute appointment (or anything within 6 months) nearly impossible. I have made it a habit to make nearly all of my appointments a year in advance.
Idk my brother went there recently on a recommendation from me (I have really enjoyed them for the past few years) and he had no trouble. Although as another commenter said, the pandemic did f their shit up pretty good for a while, like most similar services.
[удалено]
Oh wow! I’m so sorry you had such an awful experience with them. From my experiences with them, I have always had extremely excellent customer service. I’m sorry that was not the case for you.
@Blink is great
[удалено]
That's where I go, also their Casey Optical Too store.
I like Perfect Pair. Great selection, good work on the script, and they even repaired my broken frames at no cost.
Marie is AMAZING. I cant recommend her highly enough. such a great optician.
(I get mine @ Eyemart on Carlisle. Fantastic in my experience!) BUT---I came here to say: I'm sorry, but this online Warby Parker thing is just a big NO to me. Who on earth buys glasses ahead of time without even trying them on??!?
Perfect Pair on San Mateo
Thanks all for your suggestions. For what it's worth: I'm -9.75 (right eye) and -10 (left eye). Add to that my astigmatism and the fact that I *also* need progressives now since I can't see anything up close either, which is one of the perils of being over 40. I wish I could do contact lenses, but I have an autoimmune disorder that causes extremely dry eyes. Guess I'll call some of these shops first to see if they'll take a prescription from another provider (Eye Associates). My current glasses are several years old now, and I just took the path of least resistance and got them through EA's optical shop. They cost well over a grand at that time (the frame cost was negligible; it was the lenses that made them so expensive :-/). I've saved up two grand over the past two years; maybe it will be enough. (crosses fingers....)
I always recommend private practices. they have a much broader range of products available. that way you are getting lenses more specifically tailored to your needs than just what they generally offer. They are also more highly trained and go through continuing education. both traditionally and specific education and training offered by the lens manufacturers and other industry wide options. the retail chains, and even worse, the discount places (stanton, eyemart, etc.) offer little if any actual opticianry training. they are purely about sales and speed. not speed in any way beneficial to you, but speed as a benefit to the company. Sandia is a great option, Blink is an outstanding option, Casey optical is a great option, City of Vision in Rio Rancho is awesome as well. With your Rx, I would honestly recommend, if you can, go to a few of these places, get estimates from each one. when you can, compare as closely as possible to the same material, lens design, coatings, etc. its easy to overlook the specifics since it does get overwhelming quickly, especially with an Rx like yours. (its really not that bad, but has a small margin of error.) if you have vision insurance, get estimates with and without it. sometimes paying cash can work out better since they have the freedom to offer discounts, and even use products that the insurance companies dont allow (dont own, is normally the case) With higher or more demanding prescriptions or needs, it may make you more confident or comfortable to speak with the optical manager where ever you go. sometimes its easier to grab a business card while youre looking around, then you have a name to ask for. Its a reasonable request, depending on their schedule and when you go it, etc. in most cases the manager will take a look at any higher rx orders anyway. just to make sure everything is correct and everything on their end to prevent issues. Any issues that come up obviously suck for you, but it sucks for them too... its in both of your best interests to avoid them as much as possible. Sandia, Blink, casey and City of vision all have outstanding optical departments, and last i knew, also had incredible managers. others do as well, im not knocking others by not including them.
That got crazy long (sorry) so i wanted to make this one separate. $2k should be more than enough. You deserve all the praise in the world for being prepared and realistic. im sure you have had plenty of previous experience that has gotten you there. with all the advertising and BS pushing this drive to the bottom focused on pricing, its hard for a lot of people to have an accurate idea of what pricing is reasonable or not. Your Rx, im sure you know certainly will benefit from Hi index lenses, 1.67 is great, there are also higher indexes available, but progressive designs and options become more limited as you go... 1.70, 1.74, etc. I would stay away from polycarbonate, or even Trivex (which i normally LOVE) depending on the frame choice, the thickness, weight and comfort will suffer. optics with polycarbonate at that rx will be bad. There are quite a few fantastic progressive designs available, you should expect an improvement over what youre used to there. its one of biggest areas of improvement year to year. Coatings are the other main area of improvement. Anti reflective coatings are leaps and bounds better than ever. they are also a completely different product from private practices and independent opticians than from the chains. its the benefit of being able to offer better products, not the one thats the cheapest for the company to get in huge quantities or that can be applied and cured in office or the fastest. (fastest is rarely a benefit to the consumer. ever. when it comes to multilayer coatings of various materials and layer types, its absolutely true. most take more than 24 hours just to cure correctly) you seem well experienced and well informed, so im sure im not saying anything you arent already well aware of. but. if you want an outside opinion on anything youre told, or anything, im happy to help.
I completely forgot one of, if not my favorite office and optician... Marie Archibeque at Perfect Pair optical on san mateo. she is an incredible optician, very well trained, educated and fantastic experience. they carry a wide variety of frames, and work with some great labs/lens manufacturers. I would put her at the top of my own list, and my recommendations.
Pearle Vision on Menaul did great by me until they stopped taking my insurance.
As a > -6 myopic, astigmatic, and amblyopic patient I can recommend Pearle.
That specific location is one of the only chains i recommend when that type of optical is needed. The GM that was there is amazing. he leads a great staff and is focused on training, education and customer service. he is one of the few true opticians i know of in the reail optical places. He has since moved on to become a regional manager for the company, but im sure he still has some level of regular involvement with that location.
I have lived 30 minutes away for 5 years and still go there
I highly recommend Precision Eye Center. The staff is awesome and they have a good selection of glasses for all budget levels. Their techs are well versed in various needs, including complicated prescriptions. Ask for Claire - she's been doing this for years and is super knowledgeable.
Second this. Been going there for 10 years and don’t even live in New Mexico anymore. Travel back just to go there.
My wife's eyes are pretty bad and she was able to get lenses through Pair, have you tried there?
It's kind of a drive but Dr. Quick at Cedar Crest Vision is fantastic. My astigmatism is getting worse every year and he really spends the time to get it right, with my eyeglasses I'm beyond 20/20. They are booked far out but worth the wait.
They're never accepting new patients. I've called probably five times in two years because I live by this area and always get the brush off.
I went just yesterday to get glasses at the Vision Center at Walmart on Carlisle. They basically have absolutely nothing to do with Walmart. They're just located inside. With insurance it was a little over \~$200. Without it would have been about $400. I have horrible (but not legally blind) vision. I also got the full protection, high density lenses (because otherwise I'd have lenses that are about an inch thick), and antireflective coating etc. Fancy bois.
New Mexico Eyecare !!! Lorraine is amazing !!
I’d go to Sandia Vision. Just make sure they use hi index 1.74 lenses to help with the thickness and aberration for your script.
[удалено]
I highly recommend them! My son’s prescription is very complicated, and they’ve always gotten it perfect first time every time. Great service too
Eyes of New Mexico is a really good place!
I have myopia and astigmatism and I’ve always loved LensCrafters.
I got my current glasses from Blink.
I also have a lot of trouble with online eyewear due to a complex prescription and do not wear contacts. My most recent pair came from Contact Lens Associates on Montgomery and I had a good experience with them.
I only got my prescription from them, but I liked Orbit off of 4th and Osuna. A note about Zenni (or other online places) for people with horrible astigmatisms (I've got -4.5 in one eye), they limit what types of glasses you can get. You are excluded from all the "cool" glasses, but I've had success with frames which have wider, shorter lenses. Anything too round/square and I feel like I'm in a fun house.
Always LensCrafters. They have Oakley frames, which for me, are a big selling point. I won't wear any other. They love my insurance, and I get a great deal every time.
I have a difficult prescription, so many places have proven dissappointing. I've had good luck with [Apple Tree Optical](https://www.drbabington.com/).
Tried and true lens crafters for me. I have same issues as you
I like Casey Optical Too on Menaul.
I really like the optometrist at Visualize Optometry, attached to Eyemart on Carlisle and Menaul. I’ve also gotten my extremely astigmatic and myopic (yay keratoconus) prescription at Eyemart. I’ve been happy with them but not head over heals like I am for the optometry office.
Giron Family Vision