Perfect vision not required to find bargains
Got your eyes peeled for a good deal on prescription glasses? Set your sights on the web where you can get a spectacular deal on new specs by purchasing from an online optical retailer.
Shopping online for prescription eyewear in nothing new, per se, but the practice is increasingly popular and something I only recently discovered (I’ve been wearing the same, most fabulous frames for nearly a decade). An estimated 3.2 million pairs of prescription glasses were purchased online in 2017, up from 2.9 million in 2016, according to the Vision Council’s 2017 Internet Influence Report.
Ordering glasses online isn’t as easy as purchasing a pair of shoes, but it’s not as risky as you might think. As long as you have a valid script from a licensed optician or ophthalmologist, you can cyber-shop for new spectacles and take advantage of the perks, the most significant being price.
The cost of eyewear alone (frames and lenses) averages nearly $263 at traditional optical stores, according to the National Association of Vision Care Plans. Online prices start at $6. I purchased a pair of prescription sunglasses at 39Dollarglasses.com and paid just that, $39.
“Buying glasses online is disrupting the entire industry,” says Robert Drumm, marketing director for Discountglasses. com, one of many popular online eyewear shops. “Patients are no longer beholden to the high prices and inconvenient shopping experience with their eye doctor.”
It’s not just price, says Drumm. If you need peeper rims in a pinch, you can get them quickly via the web. Shoppers are used to Amazon’s speedy delivery and eye doctors can’t deliver that type of speed, says Drumm. Online glasses from Discountglasses.com can be in your hands in as little as 2-3 days.
Selection is also more robust. A brick-and-mortar retailer has limited space. Virtual racks can feature thousands of options for frame styles, colors and more for the entire family. You can customize lenses, too. Most retailers offer upgrades like progressive lenses, anti-scratch resistance and more. If you’re worried you won’t like the look, retailers like Warby Parker allow you try on and return up to five pairs of frames for free,
And, of course, buying online is convenient, says Drumm. There is no need to stop by the doctors two or three times to get fit, pick the frames, wait for them to arrive, get adjustments or worst-case scenario to have to go through the process all over again if the lens Rx isn’t accurately made the first time. The most popular online merchants like Discountglasses.com also offer hassle-free returns.
There are many advantages to buying eyeglasses online, but you shouldn’t go into it blindly. Professionals at the American Optometric Association stress that eyeglasses are an investment in your health and must be custom-fitted not only to be comfortable, but also to ensure the prescription is, in fact, correct.
They advise patients to consider the following factors before making a purchase online:
The fit and material of the eyeglasses
How the eyeglasses fit is critically important - if the fit is incorrect, not only can a patient experience discomfort, such as pinching and headaches, but can also cause additional vision problems. Consumers also need to consider the various options available for the lenses, and what is best for their particular prescription and lifestyle.
Lenses come in various materials, such as traditional plastic, as well as thinner, lighter materials. Other considerations are the different coatings and treatments available such as non-glare coatings and photochromic lenses.
The accuracy of the prescription
Just because the eyeglasses “look right” on a person’s face doesn’t mean the measurements are correct, the AOA warns. Pupil distance (PD) determines where to place the center
of each lens in your frames to customize the optics to your eyes. This measurement is necessary to ensure the eyeglasses serve your vision needs properly.
The retailer’s policies on purchases
What is the website’s return policy if you are not satisfied with your purchase? How will the website deal with issues of prescription inaccuracies or other mistakes (wrong lenses coatings, wrong color, etc)?
Warrantees: Does
■ the online retailer offers protection against lens scratching, how long this may be covered and what needs to be done to replace scratched lenses. How long is the frame warranty? What about children’s frames?
■ Shipping: The cost and timeliness of shipments varies. Who pays for shipping returns?
■ Pricing: Are protective eyeglass cases and cleaning cloths included, or are they “extras” added to the cost? Insurance: Some websites do not accept vision insurance. If you have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), check to see what’s required to accept this as payment.
Maintenance: Some
■ websites provide a contact for this and may offer online tips for minor adjustments, but it might mean shipping your glasses away and being without them until the service is completed and they are returned.