Why do glasses have to cost so much?
I do not know!! It pisses me off as well!
I have broken three pairs of glasses this year and mine have to be very expensive. My "insurance" only covers one pair per year (basically, I am covered for plainJane cheapest of all lenses, but I have to pay for extras).
I have to have "No-Line, Progressive Bifocals," Non-Glare coatings (just like expensive camera lenses) and Super Light Polycarbonite, instead of a kind of glass that would weigh trice as much.
I have spent (My own fault now, twice but FUCK!!) almost eight hundred dollars on MY OWN eyeglasses this year. Old ones were fine. but I broke them twice.
Imagine how much more careful I have become.