Buying Glasses Online

Online shopping isn’t the worst, and we’re not here to tell you that it is 😛
The convenience of online shopping is undeniable!

But some things in this world still benefit from the human touch, and we feel eyewear is one of them.

Like everything, it comes down to making an informed decision, and we hope that this article is at least some food for thought!

Six things you miss out on when purchasing eyewear online

1. Accurate Measurements

Precise measurements are required to ensure your glasses work properly with your prescription.

Not taking these measurements properly can cause your lenses to focus light on your retina incorrectly, leaving you with blurry vision (or even a sense of nausea if you have a mild-to-strong astigmatism).

Some measurements (panto/wrap/vertex distance) can’t even be taken online, so you lose out on the extra customization that today’s lenses can have.

I would be remise not to mention: it is completely true that sometimes a prescription can be so mild that these sorts of measurements need not be super precise! Buuuut, the problem is that on average we have prescriptions that DO benefit (or outright NEED) the precise measurements.

2. Quality Assurance by a Registered Optician

A Registered Optician keeps an eye on where your product comes from, and ensures it meets quality standards. We put your glasses through a 16-point check (or more, depending on the type of eyewear).

From time to time, we have patients come for adjustments on glasses purchased online. I am encouraged to see some good work out there, but unfortunately I have also seen some issues, both minor and serious, including:

  • one lens made of a different material than the other (without need)
  • one lens with an anti-glare coating and the other without
  • huge axis issues
  • thicker-than-necessary lenses given material and Rx
  • poor fit of lenses in the frame (loose, tight, popping out)
  • unwanted prism (usually from PD measuring errors)
  • poor fit of frames on the individual’s face (too large, or pinching the nose)
  • frames poorly adjusted (or not at all)
  • Most common issue:
    • PD and Axis often off, and poor aesthetics of “edging” (how the lenses are cut into the frame)

More on the sorts of quality checks we perform can be found in How Your Glasses Are Made

3. Access to Personalized Fittings

Did you know that there are several options when fitting your lenses into your frames based on how you plan to use your glasses.

Do you golf? Play pool? Are you a welder that has to look up a lot when doing your work? Does your workstation have several computers? Are you indoors a lot? Do you do a lot of driving?

The different measurements and fittings required for these special uses (i.g. height and corridor considerations) don’t cost anything extra. They’re automatically incorporated into your glasses as you talk with an actual human who asks about your unique lifestyle and personal needs 😉

4. Complimentary Fittings and Adjustments

Glasses need to be adjusted–often. 

It’s not about the quality of the frame; it comes down to the fact that glasses go through a lot of wear! (See here for tips on caring for your eyewear)

Unadjusted glasses will be uncomfortable and begin to hurt after some time.

Symptoms of unadjusted glasses:

  • Areas of the face feel pinched (nose, behind the ears)
  • Glasses keep sliding down the nose
  • The nosepieces are discoloured or bent
  • Glasses feel unbalanced
  • Difficulty finding distance/reading areas in progressives
  • Blurry vision and headaches

Buying in-store gives you access to free, unlimited adjustments for your eyewear. After all, you paid for your glasses–why not have them look and feel great?

5. A Professional Opinion

Are all coatings the same? Should you bother with a computer lens, or simply modify your current progressive design? How might a strong oblique astigmatism affect the appropriate lens design for you?

Having a Registered Optician in your corner is the difference between paying blindly for something you may or may not need and getting a tailored, quality product that covers your personal needs and budget.

Also, since we sit and look at frames and faces all day, our professional opinion also includes keeping you stylish!

6. Long-term Care

Your Optician can help keep track of your vision and frame needs. 

Not always, but sometimes there are tell-tale signs, or red flags that jump out to an Optician. Little hints that let us know if you’re developing a dominant or weak eye, if you should ask your doctor about possible cataracts, or if sudden changes to your vision may be cause for further concern or investigation. We also keep an eye out for things like metallurgic reactions (think “Nickel sensitivities” for metal frames) or indentations and red/sore areas from uncomfortable nose pads.

It may sound corny, but each subsequent visit with your Optician is another chance for them to understand your evolving vision and needs. The care just gets better and more personalized with time!

The Take-home Message:

Putting together a pair of glasses is not a process to be taken lightly. That’s why Registered Opticians are trained and licensed, and keep up-to-date with new lens technologies though continuing education and re-certifications. And more to the point, we don’t have the luxury of hiding behind an online storefront. We work directly with our patients to achieve their maximum vision potential.

I think sometimes a misperception of price, value, and convenience is what throws people off. So simply let your optician know what your timing and budgetary needs are, and you’ll be surprised with the range in products that they’ll be able to offer you 🙂

And if quality and service are your priorities, please please PLEASE see a local Registered Optician (whether or not it’s us!)

Thanks for reading!

David