It's easy to buy things online: diapers, groceries, shoes, even medicine. But what if you need glasses? You may save time and money. But how about quality, style, and fit?
How does it work?
The exact way you order eyeglass online depends on the website you use. The basic idea is to choose the frame and color you like first. Then select features, such as the type of lens. Some lenses are particularly durable, which is good for people who are engaged in certain jobs or sports. You can also order lenses with special coating. Some are to protect your eyes from the harmful rays of the sun.
The next step is to enter your prescription information correction for each eye. Then, enter the distance between the pupils and two black circles in the center of the eye. This is to ensure that the lens is correctly placed in the frame.
To make sure your glasses fit you, some companies ask you to upload photos of yourself so you can see what the glasses look like on your face. Some people give some advice to help you choose the best frame according to your needs and face shape.
Reasons for buying glasses online.
Like any online shopping, it is convenient to order glasses using a computer or other equipment. But there are other benefits:
It's easy to shop on different sites before you decide which site you like best.
You don't have to drive to the store or office to get a lot of information.
You have a lot of styles, colors, and extra choices.
You can save money. The Consumer report found that consumers can save up to 40% by buying glasses online.
The reason not to buy glasses online.
Here are the disadvantages:
You can't try on your glasses or let others help you in person.
It is difficult to measure your pupil distance, which requires you to order glasses. Some experts say it's like cutting your own hair.
Glasses may be difficult to return.
About half of online glasses have the wrong prescription or other problems, a large study has found.
An incorrect prescription may blur your vision or make your eyes uncomfortable.
Especially when wearing progressive glasses, there are other dimensions that need to be measured accurately, and these dimensions are usually measured in person when you put on the glasses.
Some websites may not be insured.
Online prescription for glasses.
Whether you buy glasses at a local store or online, you need a current prescription. You can get optometry from an ophthalmologist (a doctor who specializes in eye and vision care) or an optometrist (a health care professional with an optometry degree). Some websites even let you take an eyesight test and get a prescription online, but this should not replace your routine examination with an ophthalmologist.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) is a large organization of ophthalmologists. It says that for people between the ages of 18 and 39 who show no signs of eye disease, going online for eye tests and prescribing them may be OK. But online tests don't check eye health. Online prescriptions should not replace your annual eye health check. AAO does not recommend online testing if:
You are under the age of 18.
Over 40 years old.
You know you have eye disease or poor eyesight.
