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.
I like to say I am not cheap, I am frugal. I like quality and I would rather pay a little more for something that would last, but I also love to save money. Buying eyeglasses online was a bit of risky territory, but I did my research and put in my first order from EyeBuyDirect in February of 2011. I ordered a pair of glasses for $36.12 (including shipping!). I added a “Tint Key” of “Grey 60%” so I could use these glasses for driving. Essentially I created a pair of prescription sunglasses for only $36.12. Can you say sweet!
