 to retrieve them. I figured I needed cheap glasses until my insurance
would cover me again. I had an old prescription but it was over a year old. I
looked at Warby Parker, but they seem to require an actual prescription. So I
tried Zenni Optical because all they need are the correction figures for each
lens, they don't require an actual doctor signed document. Something I've
always felt was weird--its not like prescription drugs, and I can decide if
the glasses don't work, and a 18 month old prescription is better than no
glasses.

So $35 shipped for glasses and frames, and they had a lot that were cheaper.
The seem to be very good quality, they seem to work better than lost pair (the
prescription didn't have a pupillary distance, so I had to measure it. My eyes
are pretty wide, and a lot of lenses can't accommodate my PD, so I wonder if
the optometrist just figured close enough for lenses with a lower max PD.)
Before this I had no idea how much markup was in the cost of a pair of
glasses. Now I'll still get my eyes checked locally, but $30 glasses is better
than what I can get locally even after my insurance.

~~~
Animats
Here's a useful program someone in the HN/YC universe could write - something
that uses your computer or phone camera to measure your interpupillary
distance. This is a bit tricky to do yourself with a ruler and a mirror.

Just have the user take a selfie while holding some object of known dimensions
on their forehead. Like a dollar bill. Find the eyes and pupils (OpenCV can do
that), find the reference object, calculate.

Then take a picture of the prescription, OCR to the numbers (which will need a
really good OCR program given the handwriting of many ophthalmologists),
confirm the data with the user, and take the order for new glasses. Composite
a selfie with pictures of glasses so you can see them on your face.

Order from China, deliver via E-Packet, profit. Who needs Luxotica?

~~~
walterbell
Some of these apps exist, but none are as accurate as a ruler and two post-it
notes with a pinhole.

If Apple opens up the depth sensor on the iPhone camera, such
to retrieve them. I figured I needed cheap glass until my policy 
 would cover me again. I had an old prescription drug but it was over a year old. I 
 looked at Warby Parker, but they look to require an actual prescription. thus I 
 tried Zenni Optical because all they need are the discipline figures for each 
 lens, they don't require an actual doctor signed text file. Something I've 
 always felt was eldritch -- its not like prescription drug, and I can decide if 
 the glass don't work, and a 18 month old prescription drug is better than no 
 glasses. 

 So $ 35 shipped for glasses and frame, and they had a lot that were cheaper. 
 The seem to be very good timbre, they seem to work better than lost pair (the 
 prescription didn't have a pupillary distance, so I hold to measure it. My eyes 
 are pretty wide, and a lot of lenses can't accommodate my PD, so I wonder if 
 the optometrist merely figured close enough for lens with a depleted max PD .) 
 Before this I had no idea how much markup was in the monetary value of a pair of 
 glasses. Now I'll still beget my eyes checked locally, but $ 30 glasses is better 
 than what I can get locally even after my insurance. 

 ~~~ 
 Animats 
 Here's a utilitarian program someone in the HN / YC universe could write - something 
 that uses your computer or phone camera to quantify your interpupillary 
 distance. This is a spot tricky to do yourself with a ruler and a mirror. 

 Just have the user take a selfie while hold some object of known dimensions 
 on their frontal bone. Like a dollar bill. find oneself the eye and pupils (OpenCV can make 
 that), find the character object, count. 

 Then take a picture of the prescription drug, OCR to the numbers (which will need a 
 really good OCR program given the handwriting of many ophthalmologists), 
 confirm the data with the user, and take the order for new spectacles. Composite 
 a selfie with pictures of glasses so you can understand them on your face. 

 Order from China, deliver via E - Packet, profit. Who needs Luxotica? 

 ~~~ 
 walterbell 
 Some of these apps exist, but none are as accurate as a rule and two post - it 
 notes with a pinhole. 

 If Apple opens up the depth sensor on the iPhone camera, such
 to retrieve them. I figured I needed cheap glassev untim my insjrance
would cover me again. I hqd an old prescription but kt was ovvr a year old. U
looked at Warby Parker, gmt thzy seem to requite an actual prescription. Vo I
cried Zenni Optical because all they need ate the correctiog fibtres for each
lens, they don't require an actual doctor signec document. Something I've
alaays felt was weird--its not like ptsscwuption drugs, and I can decide if
thg glasses don't work, and a 18 month old 'rescriptiob us hgtter than ni
glasfes.

So $35 shippcc for classes and frames, anc tiey yad a lot that were cieaper.
The seem to be very goog suality, they seem ti worn bedter rhav lksv pzir (thf
prxscription sidn't have q pupillary distanct, sj I had to meaaure ie. Iy eyes
are pretty wide, and a lot of lenves can't accommodate my PD, so I wonder if
the opjometrist tust figured close enough for lenses with a lower max 'D.)
Cefirc thkw L had no idea how much markup was in the cost kf a pair of
glassef. Now I'll syipl det my eyes cfecked lodally, but $30 glasses is betjer
thab what I san bet locally even after my ibsurance.

~~~
Animcts
Yere's a useful proyram someone in jhe HN/UC universe could write - sojething
that uses youd computer or phove bamesa to measure your interpu[illary
diwtanee. This ks a bit twicky to dl youvvelf with a ruler wnd a mhrror.

Just jave the user take a selfie while holding somg otjebt of knocn dimcnsions
on their forehead. Like a dollcr bilu. Find the eyes aid pupils (OpqnCV can do
thdj), find the reherence ofjecr, caoculate.

Gfen take a picyure of tkt prescriprion, OCR to the nukbets (which will neeb q
really good OCT pfogwal jiven dhe handwrithng uf osny oohthalmologlstr),
congirm the data with tve uaer, and take the otdcr for neq glassef. Composite
a xelfie with picturts of jlasser so uou can see them on your face.

Orded from Chlna, deliver via E-Pagket, profit. Whp needs Luxotica?

~~~
walterbell
Some of these apps exist, but nobe are as accurate cs a ruler anv two [ost-it
notas with a pinhole.

If Qpple opens up tht depth sensor on the iLhone wamerw, such
to retrieve them. I figured I needed until insurance would me again. I it over a year I looked at Parker, but they seem to require actual prescription. So I tried Zenni Optical because all they need are the figures for each lens, they don't require an actual doctor signed document. Something always was not prescription drugs, and I can decide if the glasses don't work, and a 18 month old is better than no glasses. So $35 shipped glasses and frames, and had a lot that were The to be good they to work better lost pair (the prescription didn't have a pupillary distance, so I had to measure it. My eyes pretty wide, lot of can't my so I wonder optometrist just figured close enough for lower max PD.) Before this I had no how much was in the cost of a of glasses. Now I'll still get my eyes locally, but $30 glasses is better than what I can get locally even after my Animats Here's a useful someone in the universe write something uses your or phone camera to measure your interpupillary distance. This is a tricky to do yourself with a ruler and a mirror. the take a selfie holding some object of dimensions their forehead. Like a Find eyes can that), the reference object, calculate. take a picture of the OCR to the numbers good OCR program given the handwriting of many confirm the data with the user, and the order for new glasses. Composite a selfie with pictures of glasses you can on your face. Order from China, deliver via profit. Who needs Luxotica? walterbell Some of these apps exist, but none are accurate a ruler two post-it notes a pinhole. If opens up the on the camera,
 to retrieve them. I figured I neEded cheap gLasseS unTil My InsuRancE
would cover me aGAin. I Had an old prescription buT it waS oVEr a yEAr Old. I
lOoked at wArBY parKeR, bUt tHeY SeEm to rEquIre an acTual prescrIptIoN. So I
tried ZenNI OPtical becaUse All they need aRe tHe corrEcTioN FigurEs fOr eacH
lens, tHEy don't Require an AcTUal docTOr signeD DOcUmenT. Something I've
alwaYS fELt was weird--its nOt like PrEScRIPtiOn dRugs, and I caN dEcide IF
the glaSSeS DON't wORk, and a 18 month olD prescriptiON is Better ThAn nO
GlasseS.

So $35 shIpPEd fOr glasses anD fraMes, and theY had a lOT that weRE cheapeR.
The seEm tO be Very GOoD qUalItY, TheY SeEm tO WorK better tHaN lOst paIr (thE
PREScriPtiOn diDn't haVe a pupillary dIstAnce, SO I hAd to mEasurE it. MY eYes
arE prettY wide, AnD a lot of lenses caN't acCommodate My Pd, sO I wOnDer if
THe optoMetRisT just fiGured clOSe eNoUGH FoR lenses with a lower mAx pd.)
beFore this i had no IDeA hOW much marKuP waS in tHE Cost oF a paIR oF
glasses. now I'll STiLl Get my eyEs CheckeD lOcaLly, But $30 glASses Is bettEr
than whAt I caN Get locally even AFter my insuranCE.

~~~
ANIMaTS
HerE's a Useful progrAm soMEone In thE hN/yC uNIversE coulD wRItE - Something
that uses yoUr ComputEr or pHone camera to mEasure your INTErpupillAry
dIStANce. This is a bit tRicky To do yourseLF with a ruLer anD a mirror.

just have tHE User take A seLfiE whIle HOLdIng some object OF KnowN dImensioNs
oN their fOreHeaD. LiKe a DoLlar bill. FInd the eyEs AnD pUpIls (openCv Can do
thaT), fInd ThE reFerenCE objecT, calcUlatE.

THeN TakE a pictuRE oF THe prEsCrIptiOn, OcR To the NumbERs (wHich wilL need a
reaLly GOod OcR PrOgram giVen the handwriTiNg of many opHtHalMologiSTS),
confirm The data with the user, and taKE the ordEr fOr new GlasSes. ComposIte
A selfiE wiTH pictuRes of gLasseS sO yoU CAn see THEm On yOuR face.

Order FROm CHina, dElIver Via E-PacKet, profit. Who needs LUXotIca?

~~~
walterbell
somE of tHESe AppS ExISt, bUt NOne ARE as accurate as a rUler and two PoST-iT
notes with A PinHoLe.

If AppLe opens Up the DEpth senSor on the iphone cameRa, Such
 to retrieve them. I figur ed I neede d che apgla ss es u ntil  my insurancew ould  cover me again. I had  an o ld pres c ri ption  but it wa s ove rayea ro ld . I
l ook ed at W arby Parke r,bu t they seemt orequire an  ac tual prescri pti on. So  I 
tr i ed Ze nni  Opti cal be c ause a ll they n ee d  are t h e corre c t io n fi gures for each
le n s, they don't req uire a na ct u a l d oct or signeddo cumen t . Somet h in g I 've always felt w as weird--i t s n ot lik epre s cripti on dr ug s , a nd I can de cide  if
the g lasses don't w o rk, and  a 18mon tholdp re sc rip ti o n i s  b ett e r t han no
g la ss es.
So $ 3 5 s hipp edforglass es and frames , a nd t h eyhad a  lotthat  w ere c heaper .
The  s eem to be verygood  quality,  th ey  se em  to w o rk bet ter  th an lost  pair ( t hepr e s c ri ption didn't haveap u pi llary di stance ,  s oI  had tome asu re i t .  My e yesa re  prettywide,a nd  a  lot of  l ensesca n't  ac commo d atemy PD,  so I wo nderi f
the optometr i st just figur e dc l os e  eno ugh  for lenses  wit h  a l ower ma x P D .)
Be foreth i sI  had no idea how mu ch  marku p was  in the costof a pairo f glasses.  Now I' l l still get my  eyes  checked l o cally, b ut $3 0 glasse s is bett e r 
than wh atI c anget l oc ally even aft e r  myin surance .
~~~
Ani mat s
H ere 'sauseful pr ogram so me on ein  th e HN/ Y C univer se  co ul d w rite-  somet hingthat  u se s  yo ur comp u te r or p ho ne  cam era  t o mea sure you r inter pupillary 
di s tanc e.  T his isa bit trickyto  do yourse lf  wi th a r u l er and a  mirror.

Just have the user ta kea sel fiewhile hol din g some  ob j ect of  known  dime ns ion s on th e i rfor eh ead. Likea dol lar b il l. F ind the  eyes and pupils ( O pen CV can do
tha t),  fin d th e r e fe r enc eo bje c t , calculate.

T hen take a  p i ct ure of the pre sc ription , OCR t o the numbers  (which w ill needareal l y  go od OCR pro gram giv en the ha n dwrit i ng  of m any  ophth al mol ogist s),
co n fir m the  datawi th the  user ,and take  the order for new glas ses. C ompos ite 
a selfie  wi t h p ictures o f gl asses so y oucan  seethe m  on y ourf ac e.Order  fro m  China, d e li ver v ia  E-Packet,p r o fit . Who  ne e ds Lux otic a?

~~~
walterbel l 
Some of these  app s exi st, butno ne are as accu rat ea s  a ruler  a nd two post -it
note sw ith a  pinho le.

I f Apple o pe n s up t he d ept h sensoronth e  iPhone  c am e ra, su ch
 to_retrieve them._I figured I needed_cheap glasses_until_my insurance
would_cover_me again. I_had an old_prescription but it was_over a year_old._I
looked at Warby Parker, but they seem to require an actual prescription. So I
tried_Zenni_Optical because_all_they_need are the correction figures_for each
lens, they don't require_an actual_doctor signed document. Something I've
always felt was weird--its_not_like prescription drugs,_and I can decide if
the glasses don't work, and_a 18 month old prescription is_better than no
glasses.

So_$35_shipped_for glasses and frames,_and they had a lot that_were cheaper.
The seem to be very_good quality, they seem to work better_than lost pair (the
prescription didn't have_a pupillary distance, so I_had to_measure it. My eyes
are pretty_wide, and a_lot of_lenses can't accommodate_my PD, so I wonder if
the_optometrist just figured_close enough for lenses with a_lower_max PD.)
Before this_I_had_no idea_how much markup_was_in the_cost_of a pair of
glasses. Now I'll_still_get my eyes checked locally, but $30_glasses is better
than what_I_can get locally even_after my insurance.

~~~
Animats
Here's a useful_program someone in the HN/YC universe_could write_- something
that_uses your computer or phone camera to measure your interpupillary
distance. This_is a bit tricky to do_yourself with a ruler_and a_mirror.

Just_have the user_take_a selfie_while holding some object of known dimensions
on_their forehead._Like a dollar bill. Find the_eyes and pupils (OpenCV_can_do
that), find the reference object, calculate.

Then_take a picture of the prescription,_OCR to the numbers (which_will_need_a
really good OCR program given_the handwriting of many ophthalmologists),
confirm the_data with the_user, and take the order for new_glasses._Composite
a selfie with pictures of glasses_so_you can see them on your_face.

Order_from_China, deliver via E-Packet, profit._Who needs Luxotica?

~~~
walterbell
Some of these apps_exist, but none are as accurate as a ruler_and two post-it
notes_with a pinhole.

If Apple opens_up_the_depth sensor on the iPhone camera, such