I agree that mid-lower-range shops are a racket: however, don't discount the luxury and privilege of high-end options of dedicated professionals. My glasses cost in total almost $1000. I wear them almost every waking moment, they are exceptional designer hand-made frames from France with Zeiss lenses and Japanese transition technology, and the optometrist is top-of-the-line who also does an eye cancer check each year. They are a beautiful piece of art that I chose, because I find contact lenses troublesome and I enjoy taking my glasses off to both relax and for the pleasure of having a blurred world around me (other short-sighted users will understand this pleasure). When I was a student, I wore $25 government-sponsored glasses. I'm so pleased there are options for both. I'm so glad there are $1 glasses for those who need them and can avoid overpaying for low quality.