Eyeglass lenses in Boston. Difficulty: computer distance.

September 7, 2024 12:15 PM

I need someone in Greater Boston who will make lenses for a midrange focal distance (ideally 28 inches, although I can be a little flexible), and who works to make sure the prescription is right. So far, I've just gotten reading-distance glasses, a huge bill and the bum rush out the door. Can you recommend someone awesome to me?
posted by rednikki to Health & Fitness (15 answers total)

Costco should be very good value compared to any Luxottica cartel shop. If they have a frame you like, the cost difference may cover the cost of the membership.

I'm reasonably sure they are good on technical and fitment issues.
posted by sebastienbailard at 12:27 PM on September 7, 2024 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Not to thread-sit, but: I am only looking for replacement lenses, not frames.
posted by rednikki at 12:37 PM on September 7, 2024

Costco will cut lenses for any frame, theirs or not. It's an extra fee but very reasonable, like $35 or something. Their lens quality is usually very good, although my last progressives weren't super fab, just ok.
posted by fiercekitten at 12:48 PM on September 7, 2024

I know! I've had to explain to opticians that I won't be looking down at a book or a table, a foot away, but at a computer screen at arm's-length or slightly more.

I suspect they're trained for either distance glasses or close-reading glasses, although by now, they should also be attuned to people reading on monitors for work or play.
posted by zadcat at 1:10 PM on September 7, 2024

Best answer: If you can find a place near the Google office in Cambridge, Google specifically covers a pair of "computer glasses" as part of their vision insurance and my experience is that any optometrist frequented by many Googlers will know exactly what you're asking for if you ask for computer glasses.
posted by potrzebie at 1:47 PM on September 7, 2024 [2 favorites]

Best answer: I have been going to Medford Optical for several years. I wear progressives (formerly bifocals) and I have single vision computer glasses as well. When I first went there (after a couple of unhappy experiences elsewhere) I was very clear that I needed computer glasses as well as my regular glasses and they worked with me to do both prescriptions based on how far away I typically sit, and they’ve been great.
posted by DiscourseMarker at 4:56 PM on September 7, 2024

If you have a regular prescription for either reading glasses or bifocal/progressive, it is not hard to do a basic adjustment for computer distance.

Here is how Zenni does the calculation for computer glasses based on your original prescription for reading glasses. And here is how to adjust a bifocal prescription to work for computer on top and reading on the bottom.

I ordered computer glasses from Zenni based on my progressive prescription. Sometime I need to move my head or my chair a little bit to keep the screen in sharp focus. (I have a very large monitor and a strong prescription so this seems reasonable to me.) Mostly, it just involves dropping my chin a fraction. Usually I do it so automatically I don't even notice the adjustment unless I'm tired or thinking about it, like I'm doing now that I'm writing about the experience.
posted by metahawk at 4:58 PM on September 7, 2024 [1 favorite]

I had my strip mall eye doctor write an Rx that was one full step down (2.25 instead of 4.25), and the cheap Kits.com glasses I ordered for full-time computer work are perfect.

So this might be more straightforward than you fear. Have you tried this approach -- which was my doctor's advice?
posted by wenestvedt at 5:14 PM on September 7, 2024

Best answer: sorry, my computer glasses Rx was 3.25 instead of my usual 4.25. I stand at my desk with a large external display and a raised keyboard, and these are exactly right for that use.
posted by wenestvedt at 6:21 AM on September 8, 2024

Best answer: Fenway Health optical division (1340 Boylston) prescribed me computer length reading glasses (but only after they mis prescribed me ones that were too strong for close up reading). That said, if you can verify they can do only-lenses orders (I’m 90% sure they do), I recommend them. I like their team a lot, very good listeners and responsive, and if you give them the background and advocate exactly for what you need, they’d do you right.
posted by seemoorglass at 6:34 AM on September 8, 2024

I’ve heard them also called “workspace lenses” so that may help you in your search.
posted by pearlybob at 7:27 AM on September 8, 2024

Response by poster: Leaving this here for future searchers:

I want to thank wenestvedt for identifying the problem. My optometrist issued a prescription that was two steps down, not one, so the issue is with the optometrist and not the optician.

Medford Optical no longer has an optometrist and has not for a while. Their opticians only fill prescriptions brought in from outside and they cannot help if there is an issue with the prescription.

I want to thank everyone who provided the local options that I could physically visit, which is what I was looking for!
posted by rednikki at 7:35 AM on September 8, 2024 [1 favorite]

FWIW, I believe Zenni, the online optical, can make "computer glasses". They ask you if you want reading, computer, or driving glasses, IIRC.
posted by kschang at 11:17 AM on September 8, 2024 [1 favorite]

My optometrist measured for a classic reading prescription and told me that the typical formula is to take half the ADD when getting computer lenses. So for me, my ADD is +1.5. If I add the to my -7.5 RX, I get -6 for a reading RX. Using +0.75 instead gives me -6.75 for computer lenses.
posted by advicepig at 12:32 PM on September 8, 2024 [1 favorite]

I want to thank wenestvedt for identifying the problem.

w00t! I am the problem, go me!

*squints* Wait a second....
posted by wenestvedt at 5:33 AM on September 9, 2024 [1 favorite]