Should I Buy Glasses Online?
There is a wide selection of glasses when shopping online, allowing you to easily browse through thousands of options. This method is convenient and can be accessed from most places.
There are, however, some potential drawbacks associated with online purchases. Glasses may not fit properly or the prescription may not be accurate.
As a result, most Americans continue to rely on their local eye care professionals. To minimize these problems, working directly with an eye care professional and trying glasses before purchasing can be beneficial.
During the peak of COVID-19 disruptions in 2021, only 12.9% of Americans purchased prescription glasses online. When compared to other products, that percentage represents a modest increase when compared to the 9.2% rate prior to the pandemic.
Before making a purchase, it is important to be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of purchasing glasses online.
Pros: Convenience & Price
It is possible to browse through thousands of styles of eyeglasses in just a few minutes. The prices are usually attractive as well.
Comparing prices and styles between a variety of providers is possible. If you are willing to do your research, you may find an option that meets your needs.
In order to order glasses, you will need your measurements as well as a prescription from your eye doctor.
Cons: Fit & Prescription Issues
An optical store can be intimidating if you are ordering online. One advantage of visiting one is that a trained eyecare professional is available to guide you through the process of selecting, fitting, and purchasing your glasses. In addition to explaining the details of different features, they can ensure the frames you select fit your head and face properly.
The benefit of shopping in person is that all glasses are tailored specifically to meet your needs. You won’t have to guess what size you need, and you will not have to return or exchange them if they do not fit.
There is no doubt that buying glasses online can be convenient, as well as saving some money, but it should also be noted that these advantages can also apply when purchasing glasses from an eyecare professional.
A pair of eyeglasses purchased online may not appear as you expected. You may not be satisfied with the appearance of the glasses in person. It may also be difficult to select colors and styles from a website as opposed to observing them on your face in a store’s mirror.
It may be possible for you to save money with your eye doctor in the long run, especially if you factor in the time it will take to return any glasses that are not what you expected.
In terms of both style and price, most eyecare providers offer a wide range of options.
The majority of providers are able to order a range of different glasses on your behalf, so if the perfect pair is not on display, you will be able to avoid the common errors of ordering by yourself and maximize your chance of finding the perfect pair.
It is possible that online retailers will not be able to accommodate your specific prescription, either. They may modify the lenses in a way that does not suit your prescription. Online retailers may adjust the lenses in a way that does not suit your prescription. Prescription errors are more common when purchasing glasses online than in an optical store.
A low price may be the result of poor materials. They may not last as long as glasses purchased in-store. You cannot know if the glasses are durable until you receive them in the mail. It is difficult to determine their quality until they arrive in the mail.
Online purchases can pose potential problems related to prescription accuracy, lens durability, and fit. If you order glasses online, they are often required to be adjusted by an optical professional anyway. This may result in charges, and ultimately you will have to visit an eyeglass store.
Buying Glasses Online vs. In-Store
There are a number of factors to consider when deciding whether to use an online shop or a traditional brick-and-mortar store.
Have a professional fit you in person if you are uncertain about fit and frames and are not familiar with how to measure your eyes and face.
The benefit of ordering glasses online is that you can compare shop quickly for the best price, but you may be able to negotiate the price difference with your eye doctor or optical store if you order your glasses online.
You may not be able to order glasses online (or it may not be a good idea) if you require specialized prescription items, such as progressive lenses. You might be better off purchasing them from a traditional optical store.
If you plan to purchase glasses from any source, you will need to measure your pupillary distance (PD). This is the distance between the centers of both of your two pupils, and it is unique to your eyes and face. If you do not receive this information from your eye doctor in your prescription, you may ask them for it so that you can purchase glasses online. Online retailers do provide instructions on how to measure this distance yourself, but a trained professional is the most accurate measure of this distance.
It is possible that insurance companies do not cover glasses purchased from an online retailer. You will typically need to see an eye doctor and purchase your glasses from a specific retailer in order to use your insurance coverage.
There may be limitations to the quality of glasses that are purchased online. If you only need glasses occasionally, you may be able to get by with cheaper glasses. If you wear glasses every day, you may wish to invest in high-quality ones that will last a lifetime.
You must still visit an optometrist or ophthalmologist for an eye exam and a prescription for corrective lenses, regardless of whether you order your glasses online.
There are a number of cases where glasses ordered online do not fit correctly or do not have a correct prescription. In this instance, you will have to adjust them in-store or elsewhere, or you will have to exchange or get a refund, which will reduce the convenience of online ordering in the first place.
If you buy eyeglasses online, you will often find them cheaper than if you buy them in an optical store. When buying online, add-ons, such as scratch-resistant coatings, can add up very quickly. Glasses can vary in price from as little as $8 up to more than $1,000. You can go from $10 to over $100 in a very short period of time, and you may not even realize your progress.
As a result, both options have pros and cons, which are dependent on the individual. However, we believe that working with an eye doctor is the best option for most people. Your eye doctor can guide you to helpful resources even if you cannot afford to purchase glasses from anywhere.
