Buying Prescription Glasses Online
If you have thought about purchasing your next pair of prescription glasses online, there are a few things you need to know before you purchase.
As the online retail industry has exploded over the last few years, ordering your prescription glasses online may seem easy. This is to no surprise when online retailers have made it very easy and simple for customers to go ahead and purchase what used to be a highly customized product, with just a few simple clicks.
Many of these online retailers offer options like virtual try-on tools that allow customers to preview their prescription frames before purchasing. Other retailers allow “home try-on” services where customers get 5 different frames shipped to their home to try on before purchasing. Many of these online retailers also offer frames that are also sold at your local optometrist, at just a fraction of the price.
It is important to note though, that your Doctor of Optometry is trained in the proper fitting, measuring, manufacturing and dispensing eyewear. Whenever ordering online, the customer suddenly also becomes the trained eye care provider. This includes taking charge of critical measurements and making the critical decisions relating to the frame, lens and materials.
Although you perhaps have already been given a prescription by your Optometrist or eye care provider, this prescription is only one factor to consider when ordering eyewear. During the process of ordering your prescription glasses, your Doctor of Optometry determines a number of things to ensure that your glasses are custom-made according to the specifications of your prescription. Among of the things your Optometrist will review when ordering your prescription glasses are:
- Selecting the right size of frame for you
- Selecting the right shape of frame for you
- Determining what curvature of lens to use
- Determining what type of lens material to use
- Determining what coatings to use on your lenses that best suit your needs
- Determining the height to place the optical center of the lens in your frames
- Measuring how high to place the bifocal or progressive (if you wear a multifocal lens)
- Properly adjusting the frame to your face
It is an amazing thing that as a customer you have a wealth of choices to order your prescription glasses online from. However, despite all these options, it is always a better choice if you work with your Doctor of Optometry from the initial eye exam to the final fitting. This is to ensure that the prescription glasses that you receive are accurate and quality manufactured to the specifications that best suit you.
Although online eyewear retailers are not going away anytime soon, it is recommended that you get your glasses checked by a licensed professional when you receive them. Additionally, there are many Optometry Centres that offer a wide selection of frames at all price ranges that compete with online retailers price-wise.
Remember, that although you can purchase many things online, medical care is just something that is always handled better with the help of a professional.
