As an Optician, I see so many people trying to save a buck by filling their eyeglass prescriptions online. That is a good option for some, but not for all. There are many reasons for this, and the main one is misunderstanding of their own prescription.
There are many components to an eyeglass prescription. Yes, you either need glasses for distance, near or both, but within that can lay a host of possibilities for eyeglasses.
Distance only - do you have an astigmatism? Do you need to wear them always or just for driving and tv? Do you have a high prescription that requires special measurements when ordering? Do you drive and need special coatings on your lenses? Do you wear prism in your lenses?
Near only- What do you do with your eyes all day? Are you a big reader? Do you do work on the computer all day? Do you work outside the home and what type of work do you do? Do you want glasses that you can keep on your face all the time giving you the freedom to see when you need to rather than searching and reaching for those over the counter readers all the time?
Distance and Near- can you see up close when you remove your glasses, if so you have options with regards to your eyeglass purchase. If you can't then there are still options with regards to your eyeglasses. Do you want Bifocals, Trifocals, or progressives? Computer glasses, blue light filtering glasses? So many options.
As you can see, there are many options and it gets very confusing trying to decide what you actually need and what will actually help you function in your life.
Larger frames are all the rage right now. Super hot, but what do you do if you have a tiny face, or wear a really high prescription and now the glasses are so heavy on your face, you cannot wear them?
Many optical shops will not adjust, repair, or trouble shoot your online eyewear purchase. If it was not purchased from them, you are on your own.
What do you do? Who can you go to?
What if you get your online glasses and they don't feel correctly visually? You have to go back to your eye doctor and sit with an optician so they can "trouble shoot" your glasses. Often, it is incorrect measurements that are the culprit, and that lies on the consumer and wherever they purchased their online eyewear from. Good luck getting that corrected, as they took your money, and made the glasses as you ordered them, and now you are stuck.
My best advice to you would be to do your homework, find an optician that will help you......hint, hint, hint............
Good thing you found me, I am an optician offering in office help for online shoppers. Coming soon, optical at Path 2 Self Wellness where I will be offering packages for online shoppers. I can help you understand your prescription and your needs, take the proper measurements, check your glasses for accuracy when they come in from your online purchase, and I can also adjust them for you. Stay tuned........
Hi! This was an epic read! Thank you! You perfectly described ALL the issues I’ve had over many years with my glasses/contacts Rx(s)! I require glasses or contacts at all times. The confusion for Me was not only from the gamble of ordering glasses online but also at my actual Eye Dr & their Private $$ Optical Shop.
I’d love to see someone like you, who clearly cares so much. I need to have my current Rx established. Like you said, I then like to understand it & the options available.
Ironically, my Optometrist of 20+ years retired in Sept & the location closed. Reading your article this AM was a total KISMET!
ꨄ I booked an appointment with you…