If you’re looking for new prescription eyeglasses online, set your sights on these online retailers specializing in prescription glasses online. While purchasing new glasses online is a departure from the traditional method of visiting your eye doctor or shopping in-person at an optical shop to try on new frames, when you shop for prescription glasses online, there’s a few key things to consider. Follow these tips to learn how to shop for prescription eyewear online with skill and confidence.
Get An Updated Prescription
Regardless of which online prescription glasses store you choose, you’ll need an updated and current prescription. So while you’ll eventually buy glasses online, this means you need an appointment with your local eye doctor first. It should be noted, however, that some online glasses stores like Warby Parker will allow you to schedule an eye exam with a local eye doctor directly from their website. It’s important for your eye doctor to perform a check-up on your eyes every two years, so bookmark this page and go book that appointment.
Measure Your Pupillary Distance (PD)
In addition to an updated prescription, you’ll also need to know your pupillary distance (or PD). This is the distance, measured in millimeters, between your pupils. This number is required by all of the online prescription glasses stores, as it allows them to determine the exact center point of the lens relative to your pupils. If you so choose, you can measure your own pupillary distance, but for the most accurate results, ask your eye doctor to measure it during your eye exam and give you that number with your prescription.
Virtually Try On Frames
Once you have your current prescription and pupillary distance, you’re good to go. The next step is to shop for prescription glasses online, starting with a virtual try-on session. Most of the online prescription glasses stores noted below offer some type of virtual try-on that you can access via your computer or smartphone camera. It’s good to know which style of frames looks best for your face shape, too. For example, round frames look better on square or round faces, while rectangular frames compliment faces with an oval shape. If you require some help determining your face shape or choosing the best frame style, most of the retailers below offer an online guide. Alternatively, you could stop into your local optical store and try on some similar frames there. Oftentimes, you can find the same models online that you tried on in-store.
Place Your Order Online
The final step in shopping for prescription glasses online is submitting your order on your chosen retailers website. Simply add your selected frames to the shopping cart, and then enter your prescription details along with your pupillary distance information during the checkout process. Be sure to double check your information before completing the transaction, as one incorrect value can result in a pair of glasses with the wrong prescription. And do try on your new glasses as soon as they arrive, in case there are any issues and you have to return them. Most online glasses stores offer a no-fuss guarantee, so if the glasses aren’t right for you in any way, simply send them back for a replacement or request a refund.
So without further ado, these are the best places to buy prescription glasses online in 2021:
Warby Parker
Warby Parker was founded with a mission to bring designer-style frames to the masses at affordable prices. All of their frames start at $95 and include basic prescription lenses. With hundreds of frames available, you’re bound to find the perfect pair of frames to suit your particular style. And if you’re having trouble deciding on your favourite pair, they offer an excellent home try-on program. Learn more at WarbyParker.com.
Kits
Kits is a relative newcomer to the online prescription glasses and contacts industry, but they have a seasoned leadership team with over 70 years if combined experience in the online eyewear industry. Kits guarantees the lowest possible price on your contact lenses and eyewear, coupled with world class customer service and super fast shipping. Learn more at Kits.com.
Lenscrafters
LensCrafters is an international retailer of prescription eyewear and prescription sunglasses. LensCrafters is a wholly owned subsidiary of Italy’s Luxottica Group, the largest eyewear company in the world. While they were somewhat late to the online retail game, they offer an impressive selection of frames and contact lenses. As of 2018, Luxottica Group operated 1,158 LensCrafters stores, of which 1,050 are located in North America and 108 are located in China, Hong Kong and India. Learn more at LensCrafters.com.
Coastal
Coastal is on a mission to eradicate poor vision. While they offer a massive selection of affordable designer and in-house frames, for every pair of glasses purchased, they donate a pair to someone in need. So you can feel good about giving the gift of vision, in addition to looking great. Learn more at Coastal.com.
Zenni Optical
Zenni Optical is making prescription glasses affordable for everyone. While it may sounds too good to be true, they offer frames starting at just $6.95 including standard prescription lenses. While they don’t carry any name brand designer frames, there are hundreds of designer-inspired frames in different shapes, sizes and colors to choose from. Learn more at ZenniOptical.com.
EyeBuyDirect
EyeBuyDirect was founded with one simple purpose: to make clear vision affordable and accessible to everyone. To keep prices low for consumers, all of their design to manufacturing work is done in-house. They have an extensive line of affordable house brands, but you can also choose from designer frames like Oakley, and Ray-Ban. Basic frames start at $6 per pair, but that price does not include prescription lenses. EyeBuyDirect offers a 14-day return policy and their product guarantee covers defects for one full year from the date of purchase. Learn more at EyeBuyDirect.com.
Glasses USA
GlassesUSA.com is one of the largest online prescription glasses retailers on the internet today. They offer hundreds of designer frames from reputable brands like Ray-Ban, Gucci and Oakley. They also offer less expensive house brands in every frame, style and color imaginable. Prices range from $39 to $700, depending on which brand you choose. And with their virtual try-on feature, you can upload a photo to the website and see what each frame would look like on your face before you purchase. Learn more at GlassesUSA.com
Eyeconic
Eyeconic was founded by a non-profit organization called Vision Service Plan (VSP). Their goal is to make eye health accessible to everyone by offering affordable prescription glasses online. They have over 1,500 frame styles and prices start at $49 which includes basic prescription lenses. Eyeconic maintains a very generous return policy, allowing you up to 60 days to return your glasses for a full refund. Learn more at Eyeconic.com.