For so many of us, skipping the hassle of shopping in-store and buying eyeglasses online is a great solution to a challenging and hectic schedule. Rather than having to schedule an appointment and spend hours in-store looking at endless pairs of identical eyeglasses, you can save time, money and energy by shopping from the comfort of your own home or office in your down time.
But if you’re new to the process or haven’t yet purchased any from an eyeglasses online store, this concept might seem daunting. How do you find the right pair of prescription eyeglasses? How much should you pay for them? How do I know if they fit my face and my sense of style before I buy?
If you’re feeling a little lost or stuck but are still interested in buying prescription eyeglasses online, we’re here to help. We’ve put together a list of nine things to do when shopping for prescription eyeglasses online. Keep reading to learn more.
1. Have your Prescription Ready
The first step in finding eyeglasses online is to have your current prescription ready. To obtain an up-to-date prescription, you'll need to visit your local optometrist. Make sure to ask for a copy of your prescription during your appointment. If you don't have a physical copy, you can contact your optometrist and request one.
Can an online retailer submit a request to my doctor?
Unfortunately, at this time, most online retailers, including Azimuth Eyewear, do not have the capability to retrieve prescriptions directly from doctor offices. However, we are happy to assist you in understanding and filling out your prescription details accurately.
If you're looking for a pair of glasses with non-prescription lenses, you don't have to worry about this part of the process. Most online glasses stores offer non-prescription lens options such as clear lenses, sunglasses lenses, or readers. These options do not require a prescription.
2. Find the Right Retailer
While shopping for prescription eyeglasses online is convenient and easy, it can be difficult to figure out where you should shop with the variety of retailers available to choose from. Make sure to do your research - find a reputable shop with real customer reviews.
Take a look at what frame styles and lens styles they have to offer to make sure that they have what you’re looking for. Double-check their return policy and other store policies, too, before you decide to purchase.
3. Shop Around for the Right Frames
The most fun and most challenging part of buying prescription eyeglasses online is the process of choosing the right frames to fit your face and your style. First figure out what frame shape you prefer - do you want circular, square, cat eye or rectangular frames? Some frame shapes fit certain face shapes better than others. Check out our guide on choosing glasses based on your face shape for some added guidance.
Once you decide on the shape, it’s time to figure out the size. Are you searching for smaller, subtle frames or larger, statement-making styles? After you figure out what you’re looking for, finding a great pair of prescription eyeglasses frames will be a breeze.
Consider frame options more suitable to your gender style:
4. Look for a Virtual Try-On Option
If you’re feeling a little stuck on which frames to choose, try to find a retailer that offers a virtual try-on experience. This innovative tool is new to the market and allows you to actually see what you’ll look like in a pair of prescription eyeglasses.
At Azimuth, we offer this feature to all of our customers, allowing you to try on as many pairs of frames as you’d like before you decide to make a purchase or decide to purchase elsewhere.
5. Choosing the the Right Prescription Lenses
When it comes to finding the perfect pair of designer prescription eyeglasses, the lenses that you choose are just as important as the frames.
- Single Vision Lenses: These lenses are the simplest and most common type of prescription lenses used to correct a specific vision problem. They are designed to provide clear and focused vision for a single distance – either for near vision (reading) or distance vision (seeing far away)
- Progressive Lenses: Often referred to as no-line bifocals or multifocal lenses, are a modern and sophisticated solution for people who need different prescription powers for near, intermediate, and distance vision. These lenses offer a smooth transition between the different prescription zones without the noticeable lines associated with traditional bifocal or trifocal lenses.
- High-Index Lenses: These lenses are made from materials that have a higher refractive index compared to standard lens materials. This means that they can bend light more efficiently, allowing the lenses to be thinner for the same prescription power. High-index lenses allow for more flexibility in choosing frames. With thinner lenses, you have more options for frame styles, and oversized or wraparound frames can still provide a sleek look.
- Photochromic Lenses: Often referred to as transition lenses, a type of eyeglass lens that automatically darkens in response to ultraviolet (UV) light. They provide the convenience of both regular eyeglasses and sunglasses in a single pair. Photochromic lenses offer UV protection by blocking harmful UV rays from reaching your eyes, helping to reduce the risk of conditions like cataracts and other UV-related eye issues.
- Polarized Lenses: Specialized eyeglass lenses designed to reduce glare and improve visual clarity, particularly in bright outdoor conditions. They are widely used in sunglasses and are beneficial for various outdoor activities. Polarized lenses can improve contrast and definition, making objects and details stand out more against their backgrounds. This can be particularly useful for activities like driving and sports.
- Blue Light Filtering Lenses: Also known as 'computer glasses' these lenses are designed to reduce the amount of blue light emitted by digital screens, electronic devices, and artificial lighting. These lenses aim to mitigate potential eye strain and discomfort caused by prolonged exposure to blue light.
- Anti-Reflective Coating: While not a lens type per se, adding an anti-reflective coating to your lenses can help reduce glare, improve clarity, and make your glasses appear nearly invisible. Azimuth Eyewear is a premium prescription glasses retailer and all Rx glasses are fitted with AR coatings by default.
6. Ask for a Backup Opinion
One thing that’s often overlooked in buying eyeglasses online is that you can ask for help or a second opinion. If you’re on the fence about which of two eyeglasses frames styles to choose from, try asking a close friend or family member for their opinion on which best matches your sense of style. Just remember - it’s your decision to make, not theirs, so make sure to choose which pair will make you the happiest.
7. Make a Purchase!
After you have your frames and lenses all figured out, it’s time to actually sit down and make the purchase. While it can feel a little scary to take the plunge on ordering glasses online, you can rest assured that you did your due diligence and research, checking out the company’s reputation, virtually trying on your favorite pairs and figuring out which lenses will work best for you. Once you find that perfect pair, it’s time to jump in and make your purchase.
8. Try On Your New Glasses
After you purchase glasses online and they’re shipped to you, you should always immediately try them on. Double-check that the frame style and lenses are what you are looking for and make sure that they are sitting properly on your face. Carefully inspect them for any damage that may have occurred during transit and make note of anything that sticks out to you. You can always reach out to the company for help or a refund. In fact, we offer full refunds and exchanges on all of our eyeglasses so that you can rest assured that you found the perfect worry-free pair.
9. See the World More Clearly
The finishing step of the entire process of ordering eyeglasses online is to sit back and enjoy your new prescription glasses. Take a moment to appreciate how your hard work and research paid off and has allowed you to see the world more clearly around you in comfort and in style.
While quick and convenient, buying prescription frames or prescription eyeglasses online can be challenging. By following the simple steps we listed above, you can set yourself up for success and find the perfect pair or two to add to your collection. From shopping for the right pair of prescription eyeglasses frames to figuring out the exact types of prescription lenses that you need, you can do it all from the comfort of your own home.