A Step by Step Guide for Buying Glasses Online

By UpGifs.com in DIY Posts to Share October 3, 2018

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Around 96% of Americans shop online.

It’s no doubt that online shopping has never been more popular. Now, you can even buy your glasses online, too!

Buying glasses online can be tricky, though. You’ll need your prescription and some measurements for the perfect fit. Here are a few important things to know before you shop!

Step-By-Step: Buying Glasses Online

Before you sit down to buy prescription glasses online, learn how the process works! This step by step buying guide is exactly what you need.

Step One: Update Your Prescription

Before you shop for glasses, you’ll need to have your eye exam to get a prescription. It’s a good idea to get your eyes checked every few years. Make sure you’ve got no problems with your vision before you order glasses online.

When you doctor completes the exam, he will also measure your pupillary distance. This is the distance between your pupils. It makes sure your lenses sit properly on your face so your eyes see correctly through the lens.

Step Two: Find a Frame You Like

Choosing glasses is a little bit like picking out jewelry. Only you will most likely wear them daily, not just on occasion. You want to make sure you get just the right look.

You’ll also want to be aware of the price. There are plenty of discount stores out there if you’re on a budget. Look around and compare different online stores to find a price you are happy with.

Where to Shop

There are many shops for buying glasses online. The prices at these shops vary significantly. You should check out a few before making a decision about your frames.

Choose the Right Frame

There’s a frame to fit every face. You just need to find the one that works for you. Here are some things to consider when shopping for your frames.

Choose a color that accents your eyes, hair and skin tone
Select frames for your face shape
Pick something modern but not too trendy
Match your frames with your personal style

Get some opinions if you’re not sure about the frames. Ask friends and family for ideas!

Preview the Frame

Most shops include multiple photos of each frame. You should be able to see them from all sides. Use the 360 viewing option to look at your frames from all angles.

Plenty of new online shops use technology to let you try glasses on virtually. They have a tool that allows you to upload a photo. Then, the frames are fitted onto your photo, so you can decide if it’s the right look for you!

Step Three: Prescription Information

Your prescription has a few parts you should be familiar with. Here’s what you’ll need for ordering glasses online.

Parts of the Prescription

Your eyeglasses prescription can be difficult to read. Especially if you don’t know what all those abbreviations mean. Here’s a list to help.

OS – Left eye
OD – Right eye
OU – Both eyes
Numbers – The further from zero the stronger prescription needed
Plus sign – Farsighted
Minus sign – Nearsighted
Pupillary distance – Distance between the center of the pupils

Each number in the OS and OD box identifies a strength that will be applied to your lens. If you have astigmatism, you will have three numbers instead of two. The numbers are followed by a plus or minus to identify near or farsightedness.

You’ll need all the numbers on your prescription to have your lenses made. Each shop has a form to enter them into for your order. It goes in the same order as your prescription is written.

Now, enter your prescription into the form. Take your time and double check each number! Making a mistake can cause your glasses to be made incorrectly.

Step Four: Pick a Lens Type

There are more choices than you think. Some are necessary for your personal vision needs. Depending on what you and your optometrist decide, you may need some special lenses to see best.

Types of Lenses

Order lenses according to your personal vision needs. Some are more lightweight than others so they rest easier on your face. Others provide protection from the sun.

High-Index – Lighter plastic for stronger prescriptions
Trivex – Lightweight with better correction
Polycarbonate – Durable and includes UV protection
Photochromic – Darkens in sunlight
Aspheric – Flat with a large surface area for prescription

Coatings for Lenses

Check out coatings that can help make your glasses more effective!

Scratch-Resistance – Durability
Anti Glare – Reduce glare from headlights when driving
Tint – Color your lenses

Bifocals and Trifocals

If you’re 40 or older, you may need multifocal lenses for better focus. These are specialized lenses with two or three sections. Bifocal is a two-section lens. The top has distance vision, while the bottom is for near vision.

Trifocal lenses have a third section above the Bifocal section. It helps you focus on computers and up close work.

Each of these choices can add to the overall cost of your glasses order.

Step Five: Review Everything

Do not check out until you’ve double checked each item listed above. Check the frames in a preview to make sure you are happy with them. Double check your prescription information one more time.

Mistakes with a personalized glasses order can be costly. You may not be able to return them. No one wants to buy another pair of glasses due to a mistake in their order.

Step Six: Check Out

Now you just need to enter your payment, billing and shipping information. Review your order one last time to make sure it’s what you need. It can be difficult to return glasses because they are made just for you!