>*"My grandmother is over eighty and still doesn't need glasses. Drinks right out of the bottle."*
[**- Henny Youngman -**](http://www.azquotes.com/quote/323802)

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<H3>"'I *see,*' said the blind man."</H3>

Thank you, Grandpa, for that pithy saying...

When I was a child, instead of training me for good vision, my parents and my culture applied the "crutch" of eyeglasses... But I'll save that rant as a story for another time.

Yesterday, I read an article by my friend @marxrab that inspired me to write this one. She wrote:

<center>[**Waiting For New Glasses So I Can Throw Away This Broken Pair**](https://steemit.com/life/@marxrab/waiting-for-new-glasses-so-i-can-throw-away-this-broken-pair)</center>

If you don't now, or never have worn eyeglasses, I'd encourage you to read her article—if only as a means of developing some compassion and sympathy for those of us who live with "less than perfect" eyesight every day.
<a href="rebrand.ly/3d97">
  <img src="https://steemitimages.com/DQmWJZpb6FtRY5dAGHubHZu2STh6t9woNxLzLXEXDVKpZP5/glasses.jpg" alt="Table of Contents" style="border:0;" width="100%;">
</a><H6>Seven dollar glasses? Seriously?<BR>Image (cropped) courtesy of [Mohammad Faruque](https://unsplash.com/@primitivestudios) and [http://unsplash.com](http://unsplash.com)</H6>

<H3>Glasses have become a fashion statement.</H3>

The old saw goes *"Girls seldom make passes at guys who wear glasses."* However, the fancy frames and brand names available today, and the relentless image-oriented advertising by companies like Calvin Klein have put the lie to that saying. Just to list a few of the "frames of fame" touted by a major purveyor of eyeglasses:

* Ray-Ban.
* Oakley.
* Coach.
* Michael Kors.
* Burberry.
* Ralph Lauren.
* Armani Exchange.

When I walk into local optometrist shops, I'm blown away seeing walls covered with endless arrays of high-priced, high-fashion eyewear.
<a href="rebrand.ly/3d97">
  <img src="https://source.unsplash.com/_r2KFSNQuo0" alt="Table of Contents" style="border:0;" width="100%;">
</a><H6>Eyeglasses: some of the highest mark-up items in the world.<BR>Image courtesy of [Scott Van Daalen](https://unsplash.com/@scottvd) and [http://unsplash.com](http://unsplash.com)</H6>

<H3>*"But, sir! I don't *need* another car payment..."*</H3>

That's my typical reaction to the sticker shock when I see the price of a pair of glasses, even at "bargain stores" like Walmart.

<H3>Time and aging wait for no man.</H3>

I (so far) refuse to wear bifocals or graduated lenses, so I actually have three pairs of glasses - one I use for driving, one for "general use," and one for close-up or computer work.

And I have a "backup set" for all three.
<a href="rebrand.ly/3d97">
  <img src="https://steemitimages.com/DQmSvCDZ2JJqj4MYgZsBDRkFdM3wjuA4cPsAmmYPHywjSsY/SetOfThree.jpg" alt="Table of Contents" style="border:0;" width="100%;">
</a><H6>Trifocals? Or Three pair?<BR>Original image by **@creatr**</H6>

<H3>HOW CAN I AFFORD THIS?</H3>

Each complete set of three pairs of glasses cost me less than $30, delivered.

For the last five years, I have been buying my eyeglasses online. They are custom sized to fit my face, they match my prescription, and they arrive within two weeks of my order.

My secret is [**ZENNI OPTICAL ®, INC.**](http://zennioptical.com), where I can get a good pair of glasses—both frame and lens—for $7. Yes, that's right. That is ***not*** a typo... SEVEN DOLLARS.

<H3>Actually, I lied. They're not really seven dollars.</H3>

The list price is **$6.95** per pair.

For example, check out my [**computer/reading/near-field glasses.**](https://www.zennioptical.com/p/metal-alloy-stainless-steel-full-rim-frame/4115?skuId=411512)

They are very light weight, comfortable, and durable. I wear them pretty much all the time.

I bought my first set from Zenni five years ago, and I couldn't be happier. I'm still wearing them.

<a href="rebrand.ly/3d97">
  <img src="https://steemitimages.com/DQmdXYmk7jtEk4UxPjedhUmqS3nbNFEwgPdSMNsBJiWwhCa/TestGlasses.jpg" alt="Table of Contents" style="border:0;" width="100%;">
</a><H6>My set of test lenses...<BR>Original image by **@creatr**</H6>

<H3>Prices are so low,</H3>

rather than going to see an optometrist for a fitting, I first bought four pair of glasses with lens strengths beginning at -1.25 and increasing by 1/4 diopter steps through 2.75. That made it easy for me to check my own vision and decide what the final prescription(s) ought to be.

I never buy the upgrades—partially because I'm a dyed-in-the-wool Mr. Frugal, and partly because I really don't consider them particularly useful.

Although I don't go for any of the "extras," they are available from Zenni as upgrades, and you can expect to pay premium prices.

I just get the least expensive frames and lenses. The "plain" lenses are made of very durable, scratch-resistant plastic with a great refractive index (i.e. they are thin and light).

<H3>**TIP:** When ordering,</H3>

Zenni even offers a free upgrade in some cases from 1.50 (standard refractive index) lenses to a 1.57 (mid-index) lens that has the added advantage of greater UV (ultraviolet) light filtering, as well as being slightly thinner and lighter.

There is even one *very* reasonable upgrade option to a 1.59 index *polycarbonate* lens that has superior impact resistance. However, for the cost of the upgrade, my personal tendency is to simply by a spare pair.

All of their lenses come with an anti-scratch hard coating.

<a href="rebrand.ly/3d97">
  <img src="https://source.unsplash.com/UFoWrJWUK_4" alt="Table of Contents" style="border:0;" width="100%;">
</a><H6>Calvin Klein for $200 or more? or Zenni for $6.95?<BR>Image courtesy of [Scott Van Daalen](https://unsplash.com/@scottvd) and [http://unsplash.com](http://unsplash.com)</H6>

<H3>Are these insanely low prices still good?</H3>

Yes, indeed they are, at least on some available options.

These may be Zenni's "loss-leaders," but a frugal curmudgeon like myself can smell a loss leader miles away.

My [**computer/reading/near-field glasses**](https://www.zennioptical.com/p/metal-alloy-stainless-steel-full-rim-frame/4115?skuId=411512) are still $6.95.

My [**driving/movie-watching glasses**](https://www.zennioptical.com/p/metal-alloy-stainless-steel-half-rim-frame/4633?skuId=463314) are still $6.95.

Oops! They have raised the price on [**this fine pair of spring loaded stem eyeglasses**](https://www.zennioptical.com/p/metal-alloy-full-rim-frame-with-spring-hinges/4148?skuId=414812)—now a whopping $9.95—but I would buy them again even for three dollars more. They are sturdy and comfortable. No matter, I find that I tend to use this "middle" prescription less and less.

And so, my fellow blind Steemians:

<H3>Go forth, and check out [**the Zenni site.**](http://zennioptical.com)</H3>

And no, I have no affiliation with them... I'm just a happy customer.

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<a href="rebrand.ly/3d97">
  <img src="https://source.unsplash.com/UsALNdok2m4" alt="Table of Contents" style="border:0;" width="100%;">
</a><H6>Some of the highest mark-up items in the world.<BR>Image courtesy of [Scott Van Daalen](https://unsplash.com/@scottvd) and [http://unsplash.com](http://unsplash.com)</H6>

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<div class="pull-right"><a href="https://steemit.com/steemit/@dreemsteem/i-wonnnnnnn-and-now-it-s-your-turn"><img src="https://steemitimages.com/0x0/https://steemitimages.com/DQmbTvFFwAQeemx3dvwQnAZCVjbBbf27vYqkn4pndKzEt4g/treasure%20hunt%20new%20final%20green.jpg" /></a></div> 
<p><BR>This post is an <strong>OFFICIAL PORT</strong> on @dreemsteem's <a href="https://steemit.com/steemit/@dreemsteem/i-wonnnnnnn-and-now-it-s-your-turn"><strong>"X Marks the Post"</strong></a> Treasure Hunt.  If you'd like to become a treasure hunter, an official stop, or a sponsor - <a href="https://steemit.com/steemit/@dreemsteem/i-wonnnnnnn-and-now-it-s-your-turn"><strong>Follow the map</strong></a> to begin your journey! <strong>By the way, she loves good comments </strong><em><strong>even more than upvotes </strong></em><strong>- so be sure to say Hi! </strong></p>

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<center><H3>~FIN~</H3></center>

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<div class="pull-left">
<a href="rebrand.ly/3d97">
  <img src="https://steemitimages.com/DQmchJqquBY9sVfuuAX2arG7tgunPytnUc96NT2aW6315kR/BoxArrow%20copy.png" alt="Table of Contents" style="border:0;" width="100%;"></a></div>

<H6>**P.S.** If you have an "in" with anybody at [**Steemit, Inc.**](https://steem.io) - Would you please ask them to *get rid* of these damn, [**extremely annoying**](https://steemit.com/steemit/@creatr/registering-my-discontent-stop-screwing-with-the-u-i) "off-website" arrow/boxes? The have, overnight, made Steemit ***ugly***. There are [***much* better solutions.**](https://www.solodev.com/blog/web-design/how-to-make-an-external-link-pop-up-modal.stml)</H6>

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<center><H3>For more self-help in support of your health, CLICK our Library Health Shelf.</H3><a href="https://rebrand.ly/dacd">
  <img src="https://steemitimages.com/DQmYJUfTZzwn7h8HdCZb31wkJtom1r4QtHFn88Tc5eJLg9v/ShelfHealth.jpg" alt="Table of Contents" style="border:0;" width="100;">
</a></center>

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<a href="https://rebrand.ly/26e5"><img src="https://steemitimages.com/DQmetDMTvexq18BJaytkaduMYgVKEk8ng9oqpDED4U4Dm56/Screen%20Shot%202018-02-03%20at%2012.27.15%20AM.png" alt="Table of Contents" style="border:0;" width="100;"></a>

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<center>***LOOK!*** Check out our amazing product:<a href="http://SILVERengines.com/steemit">
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"https://steemitimages.com/DQmar2UPqN7hq5nXGCsPNATQHf5K41fE9G4fkTFoyP613hS/EveryFamily.jpg"
alt="SILVERengines" style="border:0;" width="100;">
</a><H6>Introducing: The **SILVERengines** ***proton*** - Image by @creatr<BR>CONTACT US - Will Exchange for Steem</H6></center>

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<center>**Thanks for your time and attention.**<BR>**You**  *are why I'm here on Steemit!<BR>I have very eclectic interests and hope, over time, to write about them all.*</center>

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<center><H4>⬇️To Check Out @creatr's World⬇️*CLICK* Each Image Below⬇️</H4></center>

<table>
<tr>
<td>
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  <img src="http://i.giphy.com/XoJH6UZJ2OHh6.gif" alt="@creatr" style="border:0;" width="100;">
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</table>