Prescription glasses are a godsend for those who suffer from vision problems. But getting new glasses can be a hassle, especially if you don’t have an eye doctor nearby.
Before, people had to go to their optometrist or ophthalmologist’s office to fill their prescriptions.
However, several online options allow you to order prescription glasses these days. The same goes for purchasing cheap contact lenses on the web. You can do this without stepping inside an optical store or doctor’s office.
But buying glasses online can have its advantages and disadvantages. This article will examine some pros and cons of purchasing prescription glasses online.
How Does Buying Prescription Glasses Online Work?
There are various websites to get same day eyeglasses in an hour. To buy prescription glasses online, you’ll need to have a few things ready:
- Your current prescription from your eye doctor or optometrist.
- Measurements of your pupils and face determine which frame size and shape will work best for you.
- Personal information, such as name, address, and contact information. These are for shipping purposes.
However, you must note that various sites have different requirements and processes. Before buying prescription glasses online, you’ll need to find out what those are.
The Advantages of Buying Prescription Glasses Online
Here are some advantages that come with buying your prescription glasses online:
Convenience
Convenience is one of the most significant advantages of buying prescription glasses online.
You don’t have to worry about making an appointment. This is because you can easily order your glasses when it’s most convenient. You also don’t have to worry about driving across town or taking time off work to get your glasses.
Various websites to choose from
There are many options when looking for a website offering prescription glasses. You’ll find a site with the style, shape, and price range you want.
You can also read customer reviews on these websites to know what kind of service to expect.
Get essential information about glasses.
If you’re new to the world of glasses, it can be overwhelming to figure out which pair is best for you. It doesn’t help that so many styles and shapes are available that it can be hard to know where to begin.
However, most websites simplify things by providing an extensive FAQ section. This covers everything from choosing the right frame for your face shape to the type of lenses.
Save money
Buying glasses online can save you money in a variety of ways. First and foremost, you’ll be able to avoid paying for an eye exam at a brick-and-mortar store. You can skip out on the sales tax if you live in an area where it applies.
Many websites also offer free shipping. So you don’t have to worry about spending extra money on delivery costs.
The Disadvantages of Buying Prescription Glasses Online
We’ll now look at some potential downsides of buying glasses online.
Difficulties with trying the glasses
When you buy glasses at a store, you can try on as many pairs as you want until you find the right ones. If something doesn’t feel right or look good on your face, it’s easy to walk away and try something else.
This isn’t always possible when buying glasses online. You may have to contact customer service for help finding the right frames for your face shape and needs.
Measuring your pupil distance can be challenging.
Pupil distance is the measurement between your pupils. This measurement is crucial to getting a pair of glasses that fits properly. If you don’t know how to measure your PD, you may have trouble getting the right fit when buying glasses online.
Returning the glasses might be difficult.
If you buy glasses online that don’t fit right, it can be difficult to return them. You may contact customer service and explain the issue before they’ll do something. This makes buying glasses online riskier than going into an optical shop.
Wrong prescriptions
Since you can’t try on the glasses before buying them, you could end up with a pair with the wrong prescription. Suppose you have a particular eye problem, and they don’t have your prescription in stock. Here, shady websites may give you a pair of glasses that are not right for your eyes.
This is frustrating if you don’t realize it until later. You might have to go through the process of getting new lenses made.
Payment and insurance issues
Some online opticians don’t accept insurance, making glasses more expensive. This is true if a high-deductible plan requires you to pay a large part of the bill upfront. This is usually before your insurance will kick in and reimburse you.
If you have vision insurance, check with them before ordering your new glasses. This way, you know what frames are covered by their plans and whether lens materials have restrictions.
Conclusion
Buying things online is a new way of doing things. It gives us the convenience of shopping from home; in many cases, it is cheaper than going out to stores. But when buying glasses online, ensure you know exactly what you’re getting for your money before ordering.