I have worn glasses since the second day of first grade, but ever since I went to college I switched to contacts. I distinctly remember not being able to read the board on the first day of first grade. At the beginning of the class my teacher had written "A is for Abacus" on the board, but I had to copy the text off of the person next to me.  Last year I opened a Health Spending Account (HSA) and this year I vowed to buy some new glasses. Shamefully I haven't had a new pair since I worked for a company in 2003 and the ones I have are now a hot mess.  It took me two visits before I found a pair that didn't make scrunch up my face. I have to pick up some new contacts today and I will put my order in for these babies.  I have a strong prescription, so hopefully the person who makes my lenses knows how to cut them, else I will have some designer coke bottles!

Can someone explain to me why glasses/lenses are so expensive? I have so much respect for my parents. They used to have to buy me new glasses each year. Even though we had vision insurance, yearly glasses add up for four kids. I will be holding on to these glasses for 2 years at least!