Posted: 10/24/2008 6:32:13 AM EDT
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For those of you who are in this position and have given it some thought...I wear contacts and want to get a back-up pair of eyeglasses. What is sturdy and functional that would be appropriate if the situation gets "dicey"...either a short emergency or something more long and drawn out? I've done LASIK once and the opthamologist says not to do it again, so that isn't a solution at this time. I still need about 1.5 diopters of correction in each eye. What eyeglass frames does the military recommend? Any other good choices? I think if I ask at the local eyeglass "emporium", that the optician will look at me like I have three eyes in my head, as fashion is what they want to sell. Thanks, dvo |
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I have -5 in both eyes. I just keep several pairs of 'old' glasses around with a few pairs of elastic straps. Fortunately my prescription has not really changed for 15 yrs. When I travel I keep an extra pair of glasses in a hard case on me at all times. I looked into Lasik / PRK and decided the risk to benefit ratio was not there for me. My eye doctor is an eye surgeon at the Laser Eye Center. He told me to wait and he could do cataract surgery that would give perfect vision. One great thing about having myopia is becoming very apparent. I'm passed needing bifocals but I can just take my glasses off for close work. I can easily work on a watch with them off. I never realized how nice this was until I started having trouble reading the papers on my desk. Another thing about wearing glasses is that you always have on safety glasses. I can't count the number of times in the last 40 yrs that a branch or flying object has hit in the lens. I have a scar on one eyebrow where a ‘big chunk’ hit me right in the eye but the glasses stopped it (shattered the lens). |
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Go here: http://glassyeyes.blogspot.com/ Order some spares online for $30 each or less. I used zennioptical, which is linked on the left side of that page. I got a pair of prescription sunglasses for $28 and a pair of regular lens spares for $22. I had my optomitrist check the prescriptions and he said they were perfect. Buy with confidence. ETA: The only trick with ordering glasses online is that in addition to all the information on your last prescription, you need to know your pupilary distance. This number never changes once you grow into your adult sized head. It isn't listed on the prescription, but you can get it from whomever made your last pair of glasses locally. |
It'd be nifty if they sold these individually: Adaptive Eyecare
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Ive used these folks. CHEAP glasses, and they work great! |
+1 for this... My whole family gets their glasses from Zenni now... |
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The frames for my glasses are 15 years old. They have survived numerous high-speed falls from my horse, getting stepped on (by me, not the horse), getting sat on, and my three year old daughter playing with them. The frame is titanium and the lenses are the polycarb (replaced a few times as my eyes changed). They are light, they are comfortable, and they still look great. Were they expensive? Yes. Worth every penny? Yes. Having said that, I really want Lasik but can't justify the expense. |
I got a pair from these guys and was very imessed, |
note that depending on the frame, the position of the center of the eye can vary vertically as well as hoz. This is a critial measurement for many people, so I prefer to pay a bit more and get things exactly correct. |
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good question. Always keep your old glasses. I keep my old pairs in my various BOBs in the family vehicles. frames that have spring-loaded temple pieces seem to hold up better. But the best are the frames made for active sports that have a strap that goes around the head. In any event, you can use dental floss as an emergency glasses strap which is essential in any SHTF situation. Dental floss is one of those critical items in a bob. besides keeping your teeth in your head, it is fishing line, lashing the emergency shelter, snares, thread for sewing things (if you have big enough needles) and glasses straps. |
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I have two pairs of gas mask inserts (essentially a plastic lens frame with an elastic rubber strap to keep them on your head... I know everyone .gov knows about those) and I think another two pairs of BCGs - really thick framed glasses that won't win you points with the ladies but sure as shit are tough. Personally I really like the ESS w/Rx inserts for anything work related - I could never break them it seemed.  |
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Quoted:
I got a pair from these guys and was very imessed, let me guess, you couldn't see the "P" key. 
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The company that makes metal eyeglass frames for the mil is called Randolph Engineering, IIRC. Not sure about the Engineering part, but sure about Randolph. I have 2 large aviator frames for eyeglasses, and 1 for sunglasses–– in a pinch, any frame will accept parts/lenses from the others. Had them all for 15 years, IIRC, and just rotate out the oldest set of lenses (still keep'em, though) as vision changes. They are excellent, overbuilt frames, but still look good.
They have a new type cable temple that will not break/corrode, and that is highly worthwhile, essential, even. IIRC, Consumer Reports gave high marks to buying lenses only from B.J.s Optical centers, and I've had good luck with mine. Might want to go to a library and look up their last issue on the subject. Very informative. Like the poster above mentioned, I very much doubt–– no, I know for a certainty–– that I would not have two functioning eyes if I was not forced to wear eyeglasses from my youth. |