Has anyone ever ordered glasses online?

LittleSister

Hello everyone!

I've gotten away without needing corrective lenses for most of my life, but now that I have 50-year-old eyes, I have to bite the bullet. I went for an eye exam and found out that one eye in particular needs all kinds of help, poor thing, and the other eye is pretty good, but just getting old & farsighted.

Anyway, after my exam, the person who helps pick out frames - can't remember the job title - sat down with me & we talked about glasses and coatings and frames and progressive lenses v. bifocals. We had a hard time finding glasses that I liked, but finally landed on a smashing pair of frames - dark blue, with a nod to the hipster look.

So she ran the numbers, and all told, the glasses will be $997. I fell out of my chair. I know it was probably naive of me to be so surprised, but glasses just haven't been part of my world or on my radar!

Hubby says yep, that sounds about right, his progressive lenses were about $750.

Got back to my office & mentioned this to a colleague who said her husband orders online and LOVES it. I talked to my sister who said the same thing - she said she got 2 pairs of progressive lenses for $75.

I called the woman who had worked with me on fitting them, and she said no no no no no no no, never ever order glasses online, it's the worse thing you can do. She said she had to go to school for 2 years to get certified, at the cost of $7,000 - she said there's no way I could get online the advice & followup care she would be able to provide.

She said they're already working on legislation to make it illegal to sell contacts online.

I said "Yes, but $100 versus $1000 - that's still a lot of money!"

She said she has tons of stories of people who have ordered online, had bad experiences, and came to their office to get properly fitted & framed.

Does anyone else have experience with this? Thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

Helen

ldrosophila

worse comes to worse youre out $75 bucks. I'd get the prescription and try it out. Never tried it, but I would my eyeballs are expensive.

aquarabbit

My husband has for years and while it's hit and miss, he usually finds what he wants. I bought mine as well. Only the one pair, but I love them. I'd say go for it.

coretemp

I had $300 lenscrafter readers 10 years ago, had my eyes re-examined and when I mentioned the glasses I bought the doctor who was a specialist told me to just go to the store and by $15 readers at a comfortable magnification! Wow, I thought! Couldn't find a style I liked so I bought four pairs online for $50 bucks and use them to this day. Keep in mind though, I just need a little help with small print.

QuietBloom

Been happy with cheap online ones too.

LittleSister

I had $300 lenscrafter readers 10 years ago, had my eyes re-examined and when I mentioned the glasses I bought the doctor who was a specialist told me to just go to the store and by $15 readers at a comfortable magnification! Wow, I thought! Couldn't find a style I liked so I bought four pairs online for $50 bucks and use them to this day. Keep in mind though, I just need a little help with small print.

Yeah, that's what I've been doing this past year, just buying cheap readers. But my right eye needs to be pulled in - it drifts around, apparently. So I have to make an investment - - sigh! Too bad because I have some really cute & stylin' readers sitting around the house!

KANGOOJUMPS

wine glasses

LittleSister

wine glasses

HA HA!

CorlissaEats

Yes. Many times, but my prescription is very simple. I've had to get the frames adjusted though and local eye places are really snippy about doing it unless you purchased from them...

zennioptical.com and goggles4u.com
Ive bought multiples and combined with a friend a few times, so my average pair of glasses price is around $20 per pair. Ive also ordered for my mom who has a very strong prescription and it cost more, but it was under $100 when the op place quoted her over $800. She is happy with them. I like the customer service at Zenni better though.

You will need to know what size of glasses you need prior to ordering so they fit your head, and you will need to ask your doc about your PD distance which is not noted on the script.

tmm_0127

There are companies out there that'll send frames to you to try them on before you buy them. I'd suggest going that way!

djxil

Zenni Optical is a great on line retailer out of China. I bought a pair about 6 months ago and survived by abusive nature (toward glasses anyway). You can upload your picture and "try on" different glasses. They ship quickly too. Good Luck

BrendaLee

Go for it. Order from a place that offers free returns. That way, if you need to send them back, you're not out anything. After you get them, find a local place that will adjust the fit for free -- I took mine to Walmart.

seltzermint555

I order mine online from Warby Parker. I need high index lenses which makes mine $130-140 instead of $90-100 on their site. I know they don't do all prescriptions, though. Mine is strong but pretty straightforward (I'm 37 and currently just nearsighted). Their site is pretty cool because you get to do a free home try-on. I LOVE that option and always wind up choosing my 4th or 5th favorite of the five pairs, instead of my top choices. They will send you five frames to try on with free shipping/return within like 7 days. I've ordered 4 pairs of glasses from them over the past few years and never been unhappy, and I've never even needed an adjustment locally...although I agree with someone else's suggestion of Walmart for adjustments. I loathe Walmart but they are not snooty like a lot of optical places, and I can't picture their staff being all "OH NO you're going to ruin your eyes with cheap online glasses you bought"

I'll add that I have been wearing glasses since age 10 and have NEVER purchased my glasses at the same place where I had my eye exams. The few times I've even shopped in those stores/clinics it was $500+ for simple glasses, complete. However, I had GREAT luck in the past getting my frames from locally owned optical shops that do not have a doctor of optometry on site. They seem to have much cheaper prices. One in particular used to have top name brand frames on clearance regularly.

There are cheap options out there and you don't absolutely HAVE TO go with the place where you got your eye exam. Good luck!

LeighRaeW

I've bought glasses online from www.selectspecs.com
They were the cheapest, and BEST glasses I've ever bought. They arrived quickly, fitted well and I found them better than my designer pair. My 'I'll give it a try as a back-up pair' are now my go-to glasses.

SelectSpecs also ship internationally. Prices start from $10.00 (US) plus (from) $10.00 for shipping.

Forgot to say that they include a scratch resistant coating, a UV coating and an anti-glare coating for free.

jpanguluri

I have progressive-lens glasses from Zenni Optical. They cost about $60 and are the best glasses I have ever had.

crevices

yup. ordered a pair of prescriptions a few months ago, Ray-Bans. when i was trying to buy them in store, everywhere they wanted at LEAST $400, and kept trying to throw more "offers". i ended up finding the exact same pair for 140$ - this included frames, lenses, shipping+handling, UV protection+anti-reflect+scratch resistance coats, etc.. that's actually really low considering they're popular and "designer" glasses. i'm really happy with them! i'd suggest looking for a pair in-store and finding a dupe online or getting the measurements of the ones you like, it's hard shopping online without being able to physically try them on.

lynn1982

Yup! I have a very strong prescription, so lenses alone cost at least $400 if I don't want them to look like bottle caps. Online they were about $100 (plus the frames). Probably the biggest nuisance was finding a pair of frames that looked good, which, in retrospect, was not the worst thing when it comes to eye care. Just make sure you order from a place that allows for free returns. And be sure you get the PD number measured by a professional. With that number and your prescription, there should not be any problems ordering glasses online.

texerus

I have done the same but from Canadian companies. I only wear them 10% of the time and contacts 90% of the time. Since a prescription is only valid for one year and I often don’t routinely go to the eye doctor once a year Canada does not require a prescription for U.S.A residents I find it ideal and cheaper. You just need to give the specifications for either contacts or glasses.

Another thing worth mentioning, the eye doctor will assume you will buy their high priced items and I have found many people feel pressured to ask for their prescription. I always tell them it is your money and your prescription. They have to give it to you. If they try to make you feel intimidated, find another doctor next time.

shining_light

Zenni Optical is a great on line retailer out of China. I bought a pair about 6 months ago and survived by abusive nature (toward glasses anyway). You can upload your picture and "try on" different glasses. They ship quickly too. Good Luck

I had a lawyer I work for suggest this to me. She said this is where she got hers from, and she ordered quite a few pairs.

ChristineS_51

I haven't ordered online but am strongly tempted to do so. I have friends who have and are happy with their choice. My most recent foray into the opticians was a nightmare - glasses ended up costing over $1200 Aus for two pairs. I felt sick at the thought of it so rang and cancelled the order and said I wanted to re-use my old frames - still cost me a shade under $1000 (for two pairs). :explode: The sales person was very nasty about it too.

I have since seen Specsavers and they list prices for EVERY thing, and frames are very reasonable, my daughter got two pairs for under $200 Aus so might give them a try if I am not brave enough to try the online option

LittleSister

I have done the same but from Canadian companies. I only wear them 10% of the time and contacts 90% of the time. Since a prescription is only valid for one year and I often don’t routinely go to the eye doctor once a year Canada does not require a prescription for U.S.A residents I find it ideal and cheaper. You just need to give the specifications for either contacts or glasses.

Another thing worth mentioning, the eye doctor will assume you will buy their high priced items and I have found many people feel pressured to ask for their prescription. I always tell them it is your money and your prescription. They have to give it to you. If they try to make you feel intimidated, find another doctor next time.

Good advice.

I'm in Canada too - which Canadian company do you have success with, if you don't mind my asking?

goldfinger88

Glasses have gotten so expensive that I've been considering it as well. I'll probably go that way but will make sure they have a very good airtight return policy, no questions asked and no sort of restocking or other fee.

I think for a very simple prescription, it would be hard for them to go wrong. But if it's more complicated and needs tints like mine do, it might or might not be the best choice. Sometimes you can't beat going local. But if it's a matter of having glasses or not having them, there's only one answer.

texerus

I have done the same but from Canadian companies. I only wear them 10% of the time and contacts 90% of the time. Since a prescription is only valid for one year and I often don’t routinely go to the eye doctor once a year Canada does not require a prescription for U.S.A residents I find it ideal and cheaper. You just need to give the specifications for either contacts or glasses.

Another thing worth mentioning, the eye doctor will assume you will buy their high priced items and I have found many people feel pressured to ask for their prescription. I always tell them it is your money and your prescription. They have to give it to you. If they try to make you feel intimidated, find another doctor next time.

Good advice.

http://www.contactsexpress.ca I believe

I'm in Canada too - which Canadian company do you have success with, if you don't mind my asking?

kaned_ferret

Don't do it, especially with progressives - you need to be measured up to get the correct centration otherwise it's just pot luck if everything will even be sitting in the right place in relation to your eyes to work as they should. I'm an optical assistant and have seen so many remakes on internet buys, particularly with progressives. The fit of the frame and tilt of the lens are important factors, and these are all things you can't get buying online, sorry!

Edited to add: you need more than just a PD measurement with progressive lenses and the measurements are individual to the frame once fitted on you if done properly - you might get lucky, but then again you might not, and if you've not worn progressives before, getting an ill-measured pair is going to make adaptation potentially much harder than it already can be.

metaphoria

Don't do it, especially with progressives - you need to be measured up to get the correct centration otherwise it's just pot luck if everything will even be sitting in the right place in relation to your eyes to work as they should. I'm an optical assistant and have seen so many remakes on internet buys, particularly with progressives. The fit of the frame and tilt of the lens are important factors, and these are all things you can't get buying online, sorry!

Edited to add: you need more than just a PD measurement with progressive lenses and the measurements are individual to the frame once fitted on you if done properly - you might get lucky, but then again you might not, and if you've not worn progressives before, getting an ill-measured pair is going to make adaptation potentially much harder than it already can be.

If you had a single, simple prescription, you may be able to go for an online purchase, but progressive lenses have a lot of variables you need to get right. If you can find the exact frame online that you tried on, have your PD measurements, and the height on the lens where your pupils actually look through, and are able to get the glasses properly adjusted somewhere, it may be doable, but it seems very improbable to me. Theres a reason they are more expensive, a lot of work and technology goes into it. Some cheaper options could be to buy a frame for much cheaper and bring them to a store that will fit lenses into pre-purchased frames, or asking the store if they have package deals. Generally the frames are no-name or store brand, the lenses come pre-coated, meaning you cannot choose which coatings you want it is a scratch and glare resistant coating that is inferior to the regular stock lens coating, but still fairly decent. Either way will only save you a couple hundred dollars because the money really is in the lenses.

LittleSister

Don't do it, especially with progressives - you need to be measured up to get the correct centration otherwise it's just pot luck if everything will even be sitting in the right place in relation to your eyes to work as they should. I'm an optical assistant and have seen so many remakes on internet buys, particularly with progressives. The fit of the frame and tilt of the lens are important factors, and these are all things you can't get buying online, sorry!

Edited to add: you need more than just a PD measurement with progressive lenses and the measurements are individual to the frame once fitted on you if done properly - you might get lucky, but then again you might not, and if you've not worn progressives before, getting an ill-measured pair is going to make adaptation potentially much harder than it already can be.

That's what the woman at the optical place said - she said that the places online get it wrong too many times, and with progressives, there are even more opportunities to get it wrong.

On the other hand, $100 vs. $1,000 - sheesh, if I buy 10 pairs online and one pair turns out okay, I've still spend the same amount of money.

Hubby said buy the pair online and if I don't like them, go back to the optical place.

adlace

Been working in retail optical labs for 13 years and feel duty bound to make glasses correctly As other's have said, you can try. If they don't work, they don't work. It's not the end of the world and I am sure they have a return policy. You need a PD(distance between your eyes)and a seg ht. (the placement of the progressive channel, usually center of the pupil to the bottom of the frame). They need you wearing the frame to get this measurement in a precise fashion. Not sure how one would do that online unless you take the frame you choose with you to a retail chain. They may charge you a measurement fee or something. Most places will adjust the glasses for free if they are not comfortable when you get them.

My concern is if your eye wanders like you said, you may have been prescribed Prism, which is more in depth than even just typical progressives and more important to get correct if your dr is trying to get your eyes to work together as you suggest.. If you go online, have them double checked at your drs. office for sure.

Honestly, there are cheaper prices out there than the one you were quoted. As a first time wearer it might be less hassle not do it online the first time, so you have a physical place to go back to if you are having questions or issues. You may feel they don't work but be unable to get an answer as to why they are not working from an online source. Once you get used to glasses in general then online could help you out maybe.

LittleSister

Been working in retail optical labs for 13 years and feel duty bound to make glasses correctly As other's have said, you can try. If they don't work, they don't work. It's not the end of the world and I am sure they have a return policy. You need a PD(distance between your eyes)and a seg ht. (the placement of the progressive channel, usually center of the pupil to the bottom of the frame). They need you wearing the frame to get this measurement in a precise fashion. Not sure how one would do that online unless you take the frame you choose with you to a retail chain. They may charge you a measurement fee or something. Most places will adjust the glasses for free if they are not comfortable when you get them.

My concern is if your eye wanders like you said, you may have been prescribed Prism, which is more in depth than even just typical progressives and more important to get correct if your dr is trying to get your eyes to work together as you suggest.. If you go online, have them double checked at your drs. office for sure.

Honestly, there are cheaper prices out there than the one you were quoted. As a first time wearer it might be less hassle not do it online the first time, so you have a physical place to go back to if you are having questions or issues. You may feel they don't work but be unable to get an answer as to why they are not working from an online source. Once you get used to glasses in general then online could help you out maybe.

Yes, I do believe I'm getting the prism thing. Thank you for the advice to shop around the storefronts - I figured $989 was probably the price.

Of course, it would shave some off the price if the glasses weren't designer label and so darned smashing-looking on me!