Cheap/fast replacement glasses lenses near San Francisco?

July 15, 2011 3:08 PM

Cheap replacement glasses lenses in the Bay Area?

I have an old pair of prescription safety glasses. I need to replace the lenses. I've called dozens of eyewear places, and the cheapest replacement lenses cost over $90 and take, on average, a week and a half to create. The high end was $200 and "at least two weeks". This seems wrong to me.

When I was in Fargo (and also Los Angeles), I was always able to find a local shop to do it for around $50 with two-day turnaround. Where can I find this in the Bay Area? I'm willing to drive for a deal.

Side question: can someone please explain why the process takes so long?

posted by fake to clothing, beauty, & fashion (5 answers total)

Optical Underground has 100day turnaround or so, but I've walked out of there with standard lenses for $40.
posted by Gucky at 3:25 PM on July 15, 2011

I was going to say Optical Underground as well. Definitely cheap, but you'll want to check on turnaround time (I don't think it'll be a 100 days though :)).
posted by grapesaresour at 3:28 PM on July 15, 2011

You might also consider 39DollarGlasses.com. They offer 2-3 day total turn around service for single prescription lenses for only 17 bucks.

Excellent quality lenses by the way.
posted by Poet_Lariat at 5:18 PM on July 15, 2011

After calling pretty much every place in the book (including Optical Underground) that looks like the cheapest and fastest option. I'll probably go for it.
posted by fake at 5:59 PM on July 15, 2011

BTW, their service is around $40 - did you get a special or something?
posted by fake at 6:02 PM on July 15, 2011