Online is the way to go. We are going to start with some reading glasses and go from there. Of course you need to do your homework.there. With three in the family using glasses it will pay off.

The search of information started with a lifehacker article Save Bundles of Cash by Buying Eyeglasses Online

Blogs that talk about buying online are:

• glassyeyes blog by a retired optician who says he is tired of seeing people being ripped off by the optical industry

GlassyEyes google groups with the following reviews of the various glasses suppliers plus forums.

• 39 Dollar Glasses
• Discount-Eyeglasses.net
• EyeBuyDirect
• Eyeglass Direct
• Global Eye Glasses
• Goggles4U
• Optical 4 Less
• Specs On The Net
• Zenni Optical

And in case you are looking for contact lenses start at lenspundit

And this just in.
Frame Finder is a site to upload your photo and try different frame sizes. This is from lifehacker.

Also here is another lifehacker semirelated post on how to choose the right sunglasses online.

And this just in. On Cool Tools some further comments on online glasses purchasing.