I was wondering which lenses currently available in the market which are usually recommended for quality. I used to have Carl Zeiss lenses on my old glasses before the frame broke. After an eye prescription for a pair of new glasses, a new lens from Hoya was picked mainly for the price as the equivalent Zeiss lens was priced higher.

Does anyone know if there is a standard price list for lenses of the same type or brand ie. Hoya, Zeiss etc., or the price of the lenses differ with specific prescription on the lenses?

For my new Hoya Nulux 1.67 single vision lenses (S -7.50, S -7.50 ; C +0.50, C-0.50) with View Protect Hi-vision coating, the cost is RM550 after discount. After adding the cost of the frame (RM430 after discount), the total price of the glasses is RM980. I think I only paid RM650 for my old glasses but it came with a cheaper frame (perhaps RM200-300) but the lens is a Zeiss which is supposed to be higher in quality and price.

Which brings to the question on the quoted price of RM550 for the new Hoya Nulux 1.67 single vision lenses, whether I'm overcharged or the price of lenses has increased within these few years.

only RM550 for your lenses? You should be happy that you are still paying that prices. Wait until you reach progressive lenses, it's about RM1K minimum for lenses only with those brands unless you are willing to settle with random local brands.

Anyways, all these brands already have set prices. Your optometrist should show you as they all have handbooks for different brands to indicate all the prices by Zeiss, Essilor or Hoya. After that it depends on how much discounts they want to give you.

This post has been edited by miyakochan89: Apr 5 2022, 02:43 PM

Park for reference

Similarly I was wondering if there is a standard price list of lenses from manufacturers which can be published or available online. I haven't asked the price list of anything from the optometrist of the eyeglasses shops or stores I have frequented but I'm not sure if they would be willing to pass the book to customers to have a look. I believe they will not be too happy although they may be willing to let customers to scrutinise the price list since by asking for the price list, that suggests the person does not trust the shop or the price that the shop owner or staff is offering. Usually I'll just let the shop owner give me their offer before any attempts are made to knock the price further down. From my experience buying eyeglasses from different shops, the price can still drop by up to RM100 or more but that will depend if the initial offer price to customers is already discounted, or the price is still marked up high.

I don't know, but I usually go to eyeglasses shops in small supermarket such as Tesco or stores in shophouses on the ground floor. I have a feeling the eyeglasses stores in big or posh shopping malls (Pavilion etc) may charge higher as the rent in those places is higher.

This post has been edited by ryder_78: Apr 5 2022, 03:20 PM

wats the different between high priced lens with normal lens anyway?
coating last longer, not easily scratched, wat else?
I've wearing cheaper lens since i was a kid, maybe can try someday when i
can afford it. and err.. ya know since its cheap.. dun really bother to take care of it.

Coatings.

I have used Essilor Crizal and Zeiss. To be honest, unless you work in office environment, better dont opt for these lenses. The coatings will help you clean the lenses much easier. I think the Zeiss also have better glare coating IIRC. The problem I have with these are coatings tend to peel off after a year or so (apparently I was told that I cant wash them with soap, shampoo etc.. also cant work in a hot environment like kitchen for example). At first I didnt even know there's warranty for these to replace them for free if the coating peel off within a year. However even after I replaced my Zeiss lenses for free, it still peel off again a year later. The Zeiss lenses arent cheap somemore, and only polished after you placed order on them.

Addon:
In the distance past, I have used a pair of Hoya. I dont think it has coatings as well since I had no peeling coating problem as I washed them with soap. The special thing about the lenses is that it straighten the view of the edge of the lenses which curved with normal lenses due to its shape.

Currently Im on my 2nd pair of glasses from A-Look. Both also using their Photogrey lenses. Yes, there are no coating on these which makes cleaning them a bit harder. However I do not need to care for them at all. I can wash them with soap, shampoo etc which I cant do with branded lenses like Crizal and Zeiss (I didnt even use soap with my Zeiss lenses but the coating still peel). There are scratches on the lenses which is fine, unlike peeling coating which affect visibility.

This post has been edited by andrekua2: Apr 5 2022, 04:04 PM

Lenses and frames in MY are super marked up. Ive made same pair of glasses 2 weeks apart in MY and JP. My was Zeiss and JP was Hoya. MY was RM1.5k and JP was RM500. Granted the frames are different brand but the quality would be similar, plastic made in china. Check out JINS.

back to lenses, recently was advised by an optician that for progressive lenses, it is recommend to use Hoya for asian eyes. As zeiss is more for european. Not sure how true, i am using Zeiss progressive lens with not much issues.
Additionally, someone I know turned to Taiwan lens selling in FB which is much cheaper.
hope this helps.

I am no longer buying those branded lens like Hoya, Zeiss its too expensive for what i want which is 7.0+ degree and 1.73 index. I bought a Korean lens instead for 1/3 the price 1.73 index and thinner edges, also has computer protection. using for 3 years (ig thats not bad already) it has micro scratches ig thats normal.
Another risk getting expensive lens is, if your frame breaks and you cant find back the same one, you have trouble using back your lens.

Yes, I'm aware progressive lenses are a lot more expensive. Haven't been to that territory yet, not wanting to go there if possible. I've never paid more than RM1k for a pair of glasses before but this new pair of glasses reached very close to the mark, which is the purpose of this thread.

It's not so much about paying a seemingly low price of RM550 for the lenses vs the costlier progressive lenses. I just wanted to avoid overpaying for lenses with marked up prices from some stores. If the same lens can be had for say RM400 from other stores and I'm paying RM550 for it, then means I'm overpaying. Having said that, I guess the price I'm paying should be alright judging from the location of the shop and the owner who runs it.

I am not aware that Zeiss lens cannot be washed with soap or shampoo. I used water, occasionally with shampoo to wash and wipe the Zeiss lens. I don't know if the shampoo has washed away the coating as well. I didn't notice any degradation in quality or performance of the lens but they did turn slightly yellowish after a while, perhaps due to other factors. I also have a bottle of lens cleaner which I rarely use to clean the lens. It may have expired by now I guess.

When I go to collect my new glasses from the shop, I'll ask on the proper way to clean the lens.

Yes, all of them do have a standard price list. And apparently they do receive them yearly for each different brands, sister brands or whatever. So far the shops that i go to, they always show me outright the lenses that i want and the prices. After that together with the frame, they will start playing with the calculators.

It's not only coating my dear. It's also the sharpness and clarity. it's very hard to go from branded ones to the cheaper lenses. Especially when you reach progressive stages, the differences are even larger. Like doctors, surgeons, the lenses they use cost even more because they need the absolute clarity.

Also each brand also has tiered lenses. So depending on your needs and how much you are willing to pay for, will have different quality.

Unfortunately you will most likely be paying for marked up prices because they need to profit as well. Unless you know someone. I know there's an optometrist here in lowyat who offers quite decent prices. The last time i went, he did show me their price list book from the suppliers. and then he will offer discounts from there.

Can be washed. I use hand soap all the time to wash. But only hand soap cause it's the mildest soap of them all. It's less harsh to the coating.

it's true on the Hoya progressive lenses. And they are very mature in the technology. But i recently switch to Essilor. Seems ok as well. I find the Essilor coating more durable than Hoya.

If you guys want to get decently priced glasses, buy online from zenni.

I think the clarity is the effect of the coating reducing reflection and glare. I do agreed they worked, I never doubted them. I'm just disappointed the coating peeloff is so bad. If I'm the only one having problem, fine, user problem. My brother and my wife also had a pair of Crizal and the same problem. My wife's glasses fare a little better since she work in office and only very minor peeloff after 3 years.

I have no problem if I had to pay RM500 and it would last 3-4 years. Roughly RM150 a year investment. However I'm not okay with paying almost RM600 for a pair of Zeiss lenses (not inclusive of frame) and had the same coating peel off on both the original and replacement under 2 years. It shouldn't become a burden to the user to baby these lenses. I'm paying more for QC but it's more like a liability in my case.

Apart from better coating, the material quality of the lenses is also better, thus the better clarity.

If you are not using progressive lenses, you could just opt for normal lenses. Shouldn't be an issue and better bang for your bucks. Few hundreds with frame.

But for progressive lenses, people usually have no choices but opt for these branded lenses. Cause they are very mature in its technology and usually cause lesser issues for the users, such as dizziness, headaches, blurry views.

My average spend on eyeglasses is about RM1k++ ~ almost to RM2k. Because of my lenses that cost RM1k+ each time. I don't have any choices because i have eye issues since 12, and have been using progressive lenses since then. I do envy those who can change eyeglasses often because it only costs them few hundreds.

This post has been edited by miyakochan89: Apr 6 2022, 08:24 AM

May I ask how do you know the coating peeled off from the lens? Is the layer of coating that came off visible on the lens as there are uneven lines on the lens or something like that?

What type of soap will be mild enough for the lense? U use the bar type or the bottle pump type?

the optometrist said hand soap, and you need to bubble it up, not just pour the liquid on it directly.
Never use dishwashing soap, cause that one is super strong.

The coating usually starts peeling off from the edges, most usually from the bottom. For an example, if you have a very large frame, and when you smile your cheeks touch your lenses and the oil from face transferred to the lenses, and if you don't clean them quite immediately. The oil will damage the coating. So a lot of coating actually starts disintegrating starting from the bottom.

Other places, could be just improper maintenance. Like if some chemical splashes on your lenses, food, oil, rain even which is very acidic these days... if you don't clean them, and just leave it there. The coating will be damaged.

Yes, it's visible on the lenses, and might affect your peripherals. So far when the coating comes off from the bottom part, doesn't affect me much cause you are supposed to see things through the center.

For the others though, they can kinda see your coating coming off under certain angles or lighting yes.

Sometimes I use Palmolive bath soap (the bar soap type), but after washing the specs with it, I take the specs and put it against the light (fluorescent light la in house living room for example, to see how clean it is)..sometimes still got some hazy marks. But if use dishwashing soap..totally clean..dunno la, maybe should use the hand wash pump container type?

just don't use dishwashing soap la. you will destroy the coating really fast. the hazy thing doesn't really affect your eyesights. haha. I also got experience that with certain soap. But now i just use hand soap.

Okay yeah may be better to use hand soap only. I also asked the optometrist where i did my spectacles and also recommended use soap only.

However, last time when I googled about this, I saw some websites and videos where they recommend the Dawn brand dish washer..in fact one of the video was by this eye doctor youtuber if i remember correctly..thats in the west la

Why do we need to use soap for lens cleaning? I thought microfiber wet cloth sufficient to wipe off grease right?

i use water saja.. then with microfiber to wipe off the water

Bumping this thread for some updates.

My prescription is high and was quoted over 3k for a pair of Hoya 1.74 Lifestyle 3i range multifocals.

Unfortunately am getting old and my reading has deteriorated. It is my first time using multifocals and I was surprised at how much more the lenses cost vs single vision ones.

Any suggestions on how to save some $$?

Thanks

few years ago my essilor Varilux X progressive lens cost me 2.5k, now the coating peel off, have to change, expected cost a bomb

i use only microfiber cloth to wipe my lens, so far so good

I am amaze at the prices they impose on consumers.
Lens & frames supply are oligopoly or monopoly.
Luxoticca for frames & Hoya for lens, are biggest suppliers.

My condition is not comparable to multifocal.
Since presbyopia, I began using reading glasses.
Today reading glasses prices have gone up to RM20.

I use 1x magnification for watching films.
2x magnification for reading.
Working on small bits, I have a jewellers glass like 10x.
Bought from e-commerce 11.11 sale from China, no brand.
I have to learn to take more work breaks to rest eyes.

I wish I can afford prescription but hard to find work / income.

When lens fog up, I rinse with filtered water, shake of excess, either air dry or wipe microfiber cloth if urgent.

I saw on social media Sungei Wang upstairs sell glasses for under RM50. I never tried, so buyer beware.
If anyone did try / experience optometrist in Sg Wang or affordable RM50 ones, I appreciate your review / share.

Appreciate for clicking 'Like' on my reply.

your hulux 1.67 index is most likely a stock lens (i'm surveying for the same type as well)
today list price is 660myr
so far best offer is up to 25% off list price, so is 495myr
from my study, lens' list prices are being marked up kao2 so do compare prices around
oh and its extremely not worth it to spend so much on a frame
max 100myr can get u a very good pair of frame alr, with titanium 1 around myr120
its an extremely profitable biz
no wonder so many optical shop in mall nowadays

This post has been edited by Mr. Najib Razak: May 15 2023, 05:32 AM

If you can afford it don’t save. IMO the optometrist is more important. If you find a good one, use them. Some actually have equipment to see inside your eye and warn you of potential problems.
Some have better skill making multi focals than others.