Cheap Reading Glasses VS More Expensive Ones: Finding the Balance

Visualites has been in the business of making reading glasses for decades now. From day one we have been dedicated not just to affordable prices, but also to making the highest quality reading glasses. In striving to find the optimal balance between these two goals we have learned a lot about the following what processes to use and materials to work with to achieve the most durability in the most economic model. This covers everything from the frame material (take a look at our TR-90 and metal frames, by the way — you’ll be pleasantly surprised) to the scratch-resistant lenses and the case (yes, even the way we designed our case was done with longevity of your glasses in mind). So when we see a pair of glasses that look similar priced much lower we know why and we know how in the long going with the cheap option can really cost you more and in terms of your eyes a lot more.

How Materials Affect the Quality and Longevity of Glasses

There are many materials that could be used to make reading glasses; the most widely used in cheap glasses is Acetate, while in higher priced models you will often find them made of TR90 (which is what we utilize here at Visualites). Acetate is the most widely used of the cheaper options as it is easy to dye. This allows manufacturers to make them in a variety of colors and patterns with a high transparency and gloss finish. This is where the advantages end. Acetate needs to be deacidified and this is done by drying it in sheets. What happens then is that once the frames are made they immediately start to absorb water and this causes the frame to become deformed. Additionally, this drying then re-absorbing of water makes the material become brittle and is therefore much easier to break.

Visualites Lightweight Reading Glasses made with TR90 thermoplastic material

TR90 was originally produced through Swiss technology that created an extremely flexible and durable thermoplastic material that is still lightweight. The flexibility of TR90 makes it less likely to break from impact, instead they bend and return to their shape. Flexibility in the material allows frames to be much more comfortable as they can contour to the shape of your skull. The lightweight nature of the material makes them feel as if they are barely there – something you have to experience to believe. This combination of comfort and durability ensures you will enjoy wearing glasses made of TR90 over Acetate, not to mention that they will last longer. If reading glasses cost more up front it means they will have a longer lifespan and be more comfortable

Cheap Glasses: What They Don’t Want You to Know

When you’re looking for eyeglasses online cheap, the manufacturers of those cheap reading glasses (and cheap prescription glasses, for that matter) do not want you to know that they use Acrylic for their lenses. This means that the glasses are going to be much heavier than those made with Polycarbonate as well as thicker and less durable. By using Optical Quality lenses made with Polycarbonate Visualites assures you get FDA Approved lenses with superior impact resistance and the best optical quality. There is evidence that low quality lenses not only increase eye fatigue but also accelerate the weakening of the eye over time. Is saving a few dollars really worth the health of your eyes?

Does that low price have an anti-reflective coating? An anti-reflective (AR) coating makes all eyeglass lenses better. AR coatings eliminate reflections in lenses that reduce contrast and clarity, especially at night by allowing more light to pass through the lens. This little addition improves the functionality of your reading glasses significantly, but in the effort to lower price many manufacturers skip this crucial detail.

Then there is the design of the glasses. At Visualites, our glasses have a very high-quality appearance so you look good and can feel confident wearing them in any setting from dinner out with friends to the executive committee meeting. What you wear says a lot about you and that includes cheap reading glasses.

Lastly let’s talk about our cases. We put a fair bit of thought into our tube case but we had no idea how much feedback we would get from people on just how much they love it. It is very compact, has no hard edges, can easily fit into your purse or pocket and greatly extends the lifespan of your reading glasses. You should always check to see if your new pair of reading glasses comes with a case or you will have no safe way to take them to work, the restaurant or on your next vacation. We designed the case to be snug to protect our readers more than a case where the glasses can jostle around. We made it a priority to include a tube case with every pair of our lightweight rimless reading glasses.

So sure you can find reading glasses at a lower cost but check the details. Are they made with Acetate or TR90? Are the lenses Optical Quality Polycarbonate or something cheaper? Do the glasses have a professional look, do they have an anti-reflective coating, do they include a case? Paying for a lower quality product isn’t going to last as long or present you in the best light.

Learn more about our quality reading glasses at visualites.com