Almost anything can be purchased on the internet, but should you buy your glasses in person or online? Here’s what to look for in an online retailer.
A range of brands and frames
Traditional eyewear stores often make a point of stocking the major brands. You’ll find all the same big names online. Glasses Online include frames from all the major brands, including Ray-Ban, Oakley, Gucci, Versace, Adidas, and Ralph Lauren. There are also budget friendly options.
You can filter the frames by gender, shape, size, brands, color, and features (like adjustable nose pads or progressive lenses), as well as by price or material. You can also filter by glasses on sale – there will often be significant reductions, sometimes better than half price.
Each pair of glasses has detailed product descriptions, customer reviews, high-resolution images, and info on any offers such as free shipping – which brings us to the next thing to look for.
Offers and guarantees
An understandable concern about buying glasses online is the risk of ending up with a pair that doesn’t quite fit or suit you. Several sites offer free shipping and returns on all orders, and a 100% money back guarantee. A reputable site will offer detailed information on how returns work. Some sites also offer a warranty, which might last up to 365 days.
If you’re not satisfied with your glasses for any reason, you can simply return them. Often the return period lasts 14 or 30 days, so as long as you return the glasses within this time, you’ll get your money back without any hassle.
There are also regular promotions and discounts online. These can be particularly helpful if you’re buying designer frames. There are offers for multiple frames, too – meaning you can buy a pair for a specific activity, like reading, for a discounted price, or a pair of sunglasses to go along with your regular frames.
Prescription accuracy and quality
Another potential disadvantage of buying online is ensuring prescription accuracy, but reputable retailers will require you to upload your prescription so they can create lenses tailored to your needs. Many sites also offer options to customize lenses with features like anti-reflective coatings or progressive lenses.
If you’re concerned about quality, rest assured that a reputable site will use the same manufacturing processes and materials as traditional optical stores. If you’re not sure about a retailer, check reviews from other customers on a review site such as Trustpilot.
Drawbacks?
Despite the benefits, there is the downside of not being able to try on frames in person. But if you’re using a site that offers free returns, this is less of a concern. Virtual try-on tools can sometimes be helpful to get an idea of what a pair of glasses might look on you, even if they can’t replicate how glasses will feel on your face. Factors like weight, fit, and comfort might be hard to gauge until you actually wear the frames.
Glasses sometimes need minor tweaks to sit comfortably and correctly on your face. Some online retailers partner with local opticians for free adjustments. You might need to visit a professional for a perfect fit.
What else to look for in an online glasses retailer
Look for a site that offers clear policies on returns, exchanges, and warranties. Customer reviews can be a helpful resource for insights on the quality of the frames, lenses, and customer service.
Check the retailer’s stock and whether they have the brands or styles you might like to order. See what kind of lens options and customization features that are available. Often you can add specific coatings or tints to your lenses.
What kinds of lenses are there?
Single vision lenses are the most common type of glasses. They have one prescription strength throughout the lens and are used to correct either nearsightedness or farsightedness.
Progressive lenses are designed for people who need correction for both near and distance vision. Unlike traditional bifocals, which have a visible line separating two prescriptions, progressive lenses offer a smooth transition between the different areas.
Blue light blocking lenses are used to filter out the blue light emitted by screens (computers, phones, TVs, etc). Excessive exposure to blue light can cause eye strain, headaches, and disrupt sleep patterns.
Photochromic lenses, including Transitions lenses, darken when exposed to sunlight and then return to clear lenses when indoors. They effectively double as sunglasses.
Polarized lenses are designed to reduce glare from reflective surfaces like water, snow, and roads. These are popular among fishermen, skiers, and drivers. By minimizing glare, polarized lenses enhance vision and reduce eye strain, making them a good choice for sunglasses.
So should you buy glasses online?
A reputable online store is a great option if the site offers free returns and a money back guarantee. If you’re buying online, make sure it’s a store with good customer reviews.
If convenience, affordability, and access to a wide range of styles are important, online shopping makes sense. If trying on glasses in person is your priority, you might want to stick with traditional in-person stores (or try on glasses before shopping around online and comparing prices). The decision comes down to personal preference.