Ever Bought Glasses for Kids at Target or Walmart?

Updated on July 13, 2012
M.S. asks from Mansfield, TX
20 answers

My son needs glasses (again). He wore them when he was very young for a little over a year. We bought those at an eye dr. We paid a lot for them. Now he needs them again, and my husband suggested getting them at Walmart or Target since they were so much less expensive (he went in and talked to the girl at Walmart during his lunch break today). Have any of you gotten your kids glasses from there? Any problems or issues with poor quality? My son is almost 5 so he will be a little rough on them I imagine, but at least if something happens to them, I won't be out several hundred dollars since it seems the ones at Walmart (at least) are so much less. Should I go for it?

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

My son does not have the normal vision issues. He is far-sighted and has a wandering eye. We have the prescription from his eye dr. (he has had multiple eye muscle surgeries). We don't fill the scrip. at his office because it is so far away from where we live (not convenient if he breaks them, etc.). The ones we bought last time were the titanium flex frames. He was less than 2 years old so we had to have indestructible frames. His lenses are also not average lenses and that is what now has me worried. As one person said, if his lenses aren't correct it will be hard for him to explain that to me. At least the other place I went before is highly reputible (just expensive). Based on some of the answers, I'm more concerned about Walmart or Target getting the lense wrong than the frames.

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.B.

answers from Philadelphia on

They're glasses, just like anywhere else. They just gets them at a lessor cost because they buy them in bulk for the entire country. I've gotten them for my son and myself.

K. b
mom to 5 including triplets

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.G.

answers from Jacksonville on

I have gotten all of my son's glasses from there and I buy the $10 frames too!! He has worn glasses since he was 2yrs old to help correct a drifting eye and his prescription is a simple one. We buy the cheap frames because they are covered under walmarts warranty the have for kids. I've had lenses replaced because they were scratched under warranty before with no problems. The pair he has now he has had for well over a year and he is a very active 6yr old.

S.

1 mom found this helpful

More Answers

J.M.

answers from Philadelphia on

walmart and target has the same brands lenscrafters does...i chose the bigger store because they accepted my insurance so it was worth the higher price BUT same brands there

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

❤.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

Yes we have purchased some glasses at Wal-Mart & they've been great.

Good selection.

Good lens quality.

Don't let them up-sell you on anything you don't need and you can get an inexpensive pair. Especially for kids that are h*** o* them.

2 moms found this helpful

K.M.

answers from Chicago on

I got my own personal glasses from Walmart and had no issues, my sister and mother get their contacts from Sam's Club - again, no issues. I think it depends more on the staff/store than the company WalMart. So, make sure you go to an overall good store.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.R.

answers from Madison on

When I lived in a smaller town and walmart was the closest place to go I got much needed glasses there. They messed up 4 times and wouldn't listen to me it took 5 months before they could get it right...I didn't have to pay for the messups but it was a huge hassle. The people who worked there kept trying to tell me I was wrong...sure enough having worn glasses my whole life I was right! Hated it and will never do that again...now keep in mind it is one experience/one location. But not worth the cheaper price. Now I had an amazing experience with Costco optical one time...othe then that I stick with smaller places when available...we use to move a lot...lol

Edit: BTW my biggest fear for you son is that they make a mistake like they did with me that cause me eye strain and he wouldn't be able to tell you or know right away...the wrong glasses can hurt the eyes and give headaches, they cut my lenses wrong...inexpeienced workers.

Oh and this is a good place to get good priced glasses, I have heard wonderful things

http://www.zennioptical.com/#/?gclid=CP7qj5TXlLECFWQDQAod...

1 mom found this helpful

C.C.

answers from San Francisco on

Yes, my daughter lost 2 pairs of glasses in her first year of wearing them, and so we went to Walmart to buy the next few pairs. The quality was fine, and the people there did make a good effort to work with my daughter (who was 5 at the time) to make sure the glasses were comfortable on her. They do even have some cute designs! Normally I refuse to shop at Walmart, but in this instance I made an exception, and it was fine. Good quality, low prices, helpful people. I was pleasantly surprised. Also - my daughter has an astigmatism, which can be tricky to deal with in terms of glasses - but they did a good job.

1 mom found this helpful

T.K.

answers from Dallas on

I have. We had an eye appt for my 4 yr old at Walmart and saw some cute glasses for a ridiculously low price. Like $29 for the frames and $60 for lenses. I went next door to Sams and found similar frames that were much higher. I told the guy, no thanks, we found them cheaper next door. So, he matched the price! I ended up getting $60 frames for $29. The quality is just as good as the $200 pair I bought myself last year.

1 mom found this helpful

M.D.

answers from Dallas on

Never had a problem with Walmart Eye Vision Center, for my son or myself. They are very reasonable, the old eye doctor we went too, everytime, the glasses would break, one pair I know I paid well over $300 for him, thinking they would last, NO. With my insurance plan, my son gets up to $140 for frames, pretty much I just pay the co-pay of $30.00, so it's all worth it to me.

1 mom found this helpful

R.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

The glasses at Walmart are the same as those from a high-priced eye doctor, they send them out to the same labs so it's same quality. I get mine there, used to get my SD's there, and my sister gets my nephew's there, has for years. All of us have not-your-typical Rx's, so don't worry about that at all, exams there are fine as well. I actually get a much better exam there than I have ever gotten anywhere else, including the highfalutin' high-priced doctors, my sister mentioned the same thing with my nephew's exams.

Walmart guarantees kids glasses, not sure if it's 90 days or what, my SD broke hers within a couple of weeks, we believe she purposely broke them because she didn't want to wear them, her mother never made her and her eyes had suffered greatly, but they were replaced at no charge. The same thing happened to my nephew twice and they were replaced, also at no charge.

AND, Walmart runs back-to-school specials this time of year, you may be able to get 2 for the price of one, my nephew gets regular and sunglasses in his Rx.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.F.

answers from Dallas on

I have bought some at Walmart. The quality of frames was fine and decently priced, but because my son's lenses cost so much, I didn't save a whole lot. So, you may want to check that out. It seems that because of his far-sighted prescription it doesn't really matter where I go, that is where the cost is.

I will also say that I have gotten his glasses at LensCrafters before and I will NOT go back there. They didn't fit him correctly, the lenses themselves did not fit in the frames correctly, scratched way too easily, and lousy service. This was at 2 different locations.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.B.

answers from Washington DC on

several hundred dollars?!?!? Okay, one thing to address is that eye doctor you went to over-charged you!

Our family has been to several different eye doctors/places.... Walmart, Lens Crafters, America's Best and an individual eye doctor. At Walmart we had NO ISSUES. LensCrafters, no issues. America's Best- it used to be great when they had a different doctor... then they changed doctors and a few staff members and now they are horrible.

Walmart, A. B., and L.C. ended up being ABOUT the same price... Walmart a BIT cheaper, I guess. The eye doctor at the Walmart here was very professional and we had no problems at ALL. The mom below me is right, it depends on the location I imagine. I have actually been to 3 different Walmart eye doctors (for me, my husband and daughter), NONE of which cause us trouble. Go for it:)

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.F.

answers from San Francisco on

The eye doctor that works at our Wamlart also worked(s) sometimes at sight for sore eyes. Anyway, I'm not a kid but did get my glasses there. I have not had a problem with the prescription perse but had a great and not so great experience with the glasses. Both are bifocals. The first were fit very well. The ones I have now, not so much. I should have insisted they redo them as I'm always having to tip my head down to see distance when driving. And not just a little.....

Anyway, maybe you should talk to the fitters and specifically ask what they can do and have done since your situation isn't the norm of what they see. Then insist on a specific person to work with if you find out this is something they do and you are confident in them. Also, is there a way you can tell if the glasses are wrong or made incorrectly? Make sure they will take them back if they are.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.E.

answers from Chicago on

My daughter is on her second pair (different prescriptions) from WalMart and we've had no problems. One of the things that is great is being able to stop by during non-traditional hours to have her glasses adjusted. When she's due for her next exam, we will be going back.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.D.

answers from Dallas on

My brother-in-law & sister-in-law both get their glasses at Wal-Mart and they haven't had any problems with them to my knowledge. I haven't had to get new glasses in a while since my prescription hasn't changed so I haven't purchased any there myself but most likely will the next time I buy glasses. I do order my contacts through them and get my eye exams done there.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.K.

answers from Bloomington on

I wouldn't get his exam there & I would only get glasses, if he had an easy script. I have an odd astigmatism & Target couldn't get it right.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.M.

answers from Dallas on

I've bought glasses at both Walmart and Target for my 2 boys (we will get one set for each using our insurance and they, inevitably, will somehow destroy them and then I have to replace them mid-year). I've never had a problem with the quality and they have looked good, too.
Last year I bought 2 cute wire framed ones at Walmart for $18 each! You really can't beat that.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.S.

answers from Minneapolis on

We go to a local eye clinic. Kid's glasses are $159 for lenses and frames. They do a great job with my son who hates sitting still for them to take the necessary measurements. They also have these awesome frames that are completely bendable/unbreakable. My rough and tumble son LOVES those frames. We can also stop in anytime to have the glasses refitted and cleaned for free! I never trade great service for cheap prices.

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

Remember the old saying... you get what you pay for... Go cheap = Get Cheap

In the long run, you'll probably be out more money.

However, I am not objective when it comes to Walmart, I will drive way out of my way to avoid one and never, ever spend a penny at one.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.P.

answers from Cleveland on

my eye drs always got my scripts wrong. my guy and i both get our glasses at walmart. mainly because his aunt works there. we will probably take our daughter there too. they have a bunch of different glasses and lenses to chose from that will work best for the needs

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions