The first time I purchased glasses online, I was very uneasy because it was new territory. If you are ordering glasses online for the first time, or just want some tips to help make a repeat attempt go more smoothly, read the following tips:
- Get an updated eye exam. It is no good buying new glasses if your prescription information is different from your last visit.
- Have your doctor measure your Pupillary Distance (PD). This measurement from one pupil to the next is generally recorded in millimeters (mm). Eye doctors will take this measurement but they will not share it unless you ask. Ask for your PD measurement! Write it down.
- If you do not already own a pair of glasses, try on glasses at the doctor’s office. Write down the name and style of the glasses you like so you can look up the measurement specification of those glasses online later. The alternative to this is to measure (in millimeters) the overall distance of the frame, the bridge width, and the width of each lens using a ruler. Write these numbers down. If you already have glasses, you can measure the glasses you already own or look up those measurements online. For example, I found the specs to my previous pair of “Thalia Amada” glasses here. To acquaint yourself with common eyeglass measurements, visit sites like this.
- Have your eye doctor print off your prescription information so you can put in your order right away.
- Set aside a couple of hours. No joke! Adam and I perused through all the eyeglass selections for much longer than we anticipated. We ended up using EyeBuyDirect. There are also similar sites like Zenni Optical or $39 Dollar Glasses. We went with EyeBuyDirect because their final costs were the cheapest with the glasses options we wanted. Read about our experience with EyeBuyDirect here.
- Find glasses that match your measurement specs. This is where I went awry with my first order. I figured the 126mm total lens width of the glasses I wanted to order was close enough to the 120mm of my current glasses. Wrong! My driving glasses fall down to the tip of my nose if my head moves too quickly forward. Pay attention to the sizes no matter how much you like the frame (or the price)! The glasses you order will not look good if they do not fit your face.
- Put in your order using your prescription information. Triple check the numbers you type in. Adam and I checked each other’s information twice just to be safe. Yay for a quadruple check.
- Look for coupon codes. After you place an order, EyeBuyDirect gives their customers a coupon code to share with friends and family that saves you $10 whenever someone uses the code. Our referral code (for $10 off at EyeBuyDirect is: IFYIQIZN8A.
- Place your order and expect to wait. Even ordering glasses through a doctor’s office can take several weeks.
I hope your experience ordering glasses online goes well! Read about my experience here.
Thank you for such an informative and detailed posting! My husband and I both have new prescriptions for glasses and were considering buying online. Your tips truly made a big difference in our approach and I am sure will save us time money and help eliminate so much guesswork. Happy New Year!
Good luck in your purchases! My husband still wears both glasses he purchased online. I usually do not wear mine because they are slightly too big for my face, so definitely make sure you get the right size. Happy New Year to you as well.
~Jessica
I’m a fan of using http://www.Visio-Rx.com for my glasses. They have the worlds only online P.D meter. Which helps save me time.
http://www.visio-rx.com/measure-my-pd
Cool I didn’t know about this…thanks for sharing!
Actually if you go to (good housekeeping) http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/product-reviews/consumer-protection/buying-eyeglasses-online they did an actual test & survey and their review of EyeBuyDirect(dot)com is thus quoted: “Half of the glasses purchased from this site had prescription problems.” about EyeBuyDirect.com
So your review suggests that you were one of the lucky ones. Hope the people you send there are as lucky.
I just got 2 pairs of tinted prescription glasses for $30 each after coupon and free ship. I did one for distance outdoors and another for indoor PC/TV use. I agree with Chris to use visio-rx or better for transition lenses which I may buy in the future. for now single task glasses cheapest from EBD should suffice. I have a mild prescription (wearing new glasses to reduce eye strain) so I’m not worried if it’s a bit off as that consumer site reported, however those who are glasses dependent may not want to risk such an inexpensive dispenser, and go instead to the optical department at costco or walmart.
Checking the styles and brands at the doctors office is a great idea. The doctor will make sure you get the right prescription, but you need to make sure you love how you look in the glasses. You can even ask the doctor their preference on brands and styles while they are figuring out what prescription is best for you. Thanks for the awesome information on glasses!
My roommate is in need of new glasses and is hoping to buy some online. I like how your first tip is to get an updated eye exam. I’ll have to recommend to my roommate that she go to the doctor before she orders new glasses.