What You Need to Know When Buying Glasses Online
If you buy a new pair of glasses, you can get a sticker shock when you buy frames from your local optician. Of course, it doesn’t help that vision insurance doesn’t always cover glasses – and when it does, it may not cover the entire cost. Another option is to shop online where you will find better selection and lower prices.
This post was originally posted on DealNews .
Here are six things to know when shopping for glasses online.
Your recipe status
To order glasses online, you need a valid prescription. The duration of your prescription varies by state, but expect prescriptions to last for a year or two. Check if your expiration date has expired. If this does not happen, contact your optometrist and ask. If your current prescription has expired, you will need to schedule an eye exam first.
Correct frame size
When buying glasses from your local store, you can try them on and see how they fit. Fortunately, some online retailers will mail you frames so you can test them at home and find the perfect one, just like in the store. But if you find the perfect frames in an online store that does not offer this service, there is a solution: take a pair of matching glasses and buy frames in the same size.
There are three dimensions used to determine frame size:
- Lens Width : This is exactly what it sounds like.
- Bridge of Nose Width : The size of the fabric that covers the nose.
- Temple length: The length of the temples reaching the ears.
Assuming you have the correct glasses, you will find these measurements inside the frame from left to right (lens width, bridge width, and temple length). Usually they will be on the inside of one of the temples, but they can also be on the back of the bridge of the nose. The hardest part of getting these numbers is being able to see the fine print when your glasses are off; If you can’t make out the dimensions, take a picture with your phone and then work with it.
Pupil distance
Pupil distance is the distance, in millimeters, between the centers of the pupils of both eyes. This is a very important measurement because the lenses need to be centered on the pupils. Otherwise, glasses can cause eye strain and make focusing difficult.
The distance between the pupils can be specified in your prescription. Otherwise, you can usually call the person who prescribed your glasses and ask, or just go to your local optician office and see if you can take measurements there. Measurement fees may apply, but this is unlikely to work for the bank. You can also find plenty of online guides on how to do it yourself, or your favorite online store might suggest their own method of finding your PD. Warby Parker, for example, allows you to submit a photo that their staff will study to determine your correct PD.
Choice of lenses and coatings
Whether you buy online or offline, someone is likely to try to sell you lenses and coatings for a higher price. Anything beyond a standard single focal power lens will add value, but some additional sales may be worth it. Here are the types of lenses you are most likely to hear about:
Polycarbonate and Trivex lenses
These lightweight plastic lenses are highly durable. They are the perfect choice for kids or for everyday wear when playing sports or other outdoor activities.
High index plastic lenses
As the name suggests, these lenses have a higher refractive index. In simple terms, this means that these are the thinnest lenses you can get and can stay thin, providing clear vision for people looking for more rigorous prescriptions. The higher the refractive index of these lenses, the thinner they are.
Progressive lenses
Designed for people who wear bifocals (glasses with two strengths for near and distance vision) or trifocal glasses (with three strengths), progressive lenses do not have lines where one strength lens meets another. It’s definitely a cosmetic enhancement, but it can also make viewing easier because there is no line in the center of the lens.
Photochromic lenses
These lenses change color in the sun, making your standard glasses work like sunglasses too, although they won’t necessarily darken like sunglasses. Transitions is the largest brand of photochromic lenses.
In terms of lens coatings, some – if not all – of the coatings we are about to list may be included with your lens kit. However, this does not mean that you will not be offered better (and more expensive) options for these coatings. Are better coatings worth it? Maybe … maybe not. Find out what exactly you are getting to know if it is worth it for you:
- The anti-reflective coating makes your eyes more visible, but can also help you see by reducing glare. The latter can be especially useful if you work with your computer frequently.
- The scratch-resistant coating is exactly what you think. No glasses are completely scratch resistant, but having some scratch resistance is good, especially if you are gentle with your glasses.
- UV protection is important because your eyes can be damaged by UV light to the same degree as your skin. However, many lenses are capable of blocking 100% of UV light without any additional coating.
- The anti-fog coating will keep your goggles from fogging up when you come in from the cold.
What to do with adjustments
Even the perfect pair of glasses may require some tweaking to fit the correct size, but ordering online doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. You can make the adjustments yourself if you have some idea of what you are doing and most eyewear retailers such as Zenni Optical offer instructions on how to choose the right lenses.
If you don’t like the do-it-yourself option, most opticians will adjust your glasses – even if you didn’t buy from them – for a small fee. Some online stores partner with local stores to make adjustments in person, while others may reimburse you for the cost of adjustments. Check before buying!
Is the seller reliable?
A web search for “buy glasses online” brings up dozens of stores, but which one is right for you? Check out the Better Business Bureau rankings and read the reviews you find. When you decide to make a purchase, make sure you enter your credit card information on a secure page (look for a small lock icon in your browser).
Also check out the store’s return policy and warranty. Some retailers will not allow you to return prescription lenses, while others offer long return times. When ordering online without the ability to try on glasses in person, it is important to have a good return policy to make sure you get the glasses that are right for you. A solid warranty is also a good sign that the company is behind its products, and this is definitely what you need for a product as important as your glasses.
6 Things To Know When Buying Eyewear Online | DealNews