Reader Questions - What to do with old eyeglasses
First, let me say that I received this question a few weeks ago but my own experiences yesterday has led me to mention it today.
Yesterday I bit the proverbial bullet and went to the eye doctor for a long overdue eye exam. I write approximately 12 to 14 hours per day, sometimes 7 days a week and my eyes have taken a beating as a result. I knew that I would need some sort of vision correction for the first time in my life and was just never truly willing to admit it to myself. The constant eye strain and headaches finally forced me off my rump yesterday and though I did leave with eyeglasses, I am very happy I did.
Now, on with today’s reader question.
Michael,
Both my husband and I wear eyeglasses, as do two of our four children and because of an eye condition my prescription changes almost every year. The frugal side of me wishes there was something I could do with the old eyeglasses but I have never really come up with a good idea. What do you suggest?
Beth in Tacoma, WA
Beth,
While I don’t know of any frugal uses for eyeglasses that will help around the house, I do have a good recommendation for you and for everyone else who might be reading as to what to do with old glasses when they are no longer useful to you.
Donate them!
Here are a few ideas for you:
Lions Club – The local Lions Club will accept donations of old eyeglasses and has done so for years. Visit the web site to locate a nearby center for more information.
Ask at your optometrist’s office. Most of them accept used eyeglass donations and will distribute them appropriately to people who cannot afford glasses on their own.
July 15th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
In addition to the good deed (yay!), folks can always just choose to replace the lenses in their glasses and keep the frames. After all, those god-forsaken monstrous frames from the ’80s are now back in style with the young hipsters!