Buying Prescription Glasses Online VS In Store
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- Опубліковано 2 чер 2024
- Ever tried buying prescription glasses online? Here I review my experiences trying out several online glasses brands vs buying from the local store. ///// Learn how to find the best glasses for you with our easy guide 👉 bit.ly/BestEyeGlassesGuide
Timestamps:
0:00 Buying Prescription Glasses Online Vs In Store
0:51 Cheap Prescription Glasses (Why shop online?)
2:06 Are Online Glasses Accurate?
3:16 Buying Progressive Glasses Online
4:15 Quality of Online Glasses Frames
5:50 Quality of Online Glasses Lenses
6:58 Services Buying Eyeglasses Online vs In Store
10:34 Best of Both Worlds
11:28 Question of the Day
11:58 My Cute Cat
*PRO TIP*
No matter where you buy your glasses it is always best to have them professionally adjusted to improve their fit and comfort. It will help you see better too.
If you are looking to purchase online glasses, it is IMPORTANT to continue seeing your eye doctor yearly for eye health evaluations. Although you may be seeing well, many eye diseases may creep up without affecting your eyesight until it's too late.
This video is NOT sponsored. Links below are affiliate links which means if you buy something we may receive a small commission and no additional cost to you.
📒 Glasses Frames seen in this video 📒
0:31 (Top frames) bit.ly/EyeHealth_OttotoAtrium
0:39 Warby Parker - Gillian Frames bit.ly/3i0aXAo
1:10 Tom Ford on left (available on Glasses USA) bit.ly/EyeHealth_GlassesUSA
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About This Video:
Have you ever tried buying prescription glasses online? Online glasses have been a growing trend and many people have asked me where the best place to buy online glasses would be. To test this out, I have been buying and testing many online glasses brands over the last year. In this video, Dr. Joseph Allen from the doctor eye health show helps you weigh the pros and cons of buying eyeglasses online vs buying from your local in store glasses shop.
#onlineglasses #eyeglasses #doctoreyehealth
MEDICAL ADVICE DISCLAIMER: All content in this video and description including: information, opinions, content, references and links is for informational purposes only. The Author does not provide any medical advice on the Site. Accessing, viewing, reading or otherwise using this content does NOT create a physician-patient relationship between you and it’s author. Providing personal or medical information to the Principal author does not create a physician-patient relationship between you and the Principal author or authors. Nothing contained in this video or it’s description is intended to establish a physician-patient relationship, to replace the services of a trained physician or health care professional, or otherwise to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should consult a licensed physician or appropriately-credentialed health care worker in your community in all matters relating to your health.
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Have you tried prescription glasses online? What are your honest thoughts?
I am interested in trying to buy online. I live in the Caribbean so I'll have to order from an American site! Would it work for someone who has astigmatism and one lens is thicker than the other, as I do? My last glasses cost almost $373 US (approximately converted) so it would be wonderful to get an entire glasses cheaper!!!!!
@Shivansh Shukla Thanks for the question and Yes, I know a lot about follicular conjunctivitis. Typically, follicular conjunctivitis comes from a virus and clears up over the course of several weeks. Depending on the type of virus, some doctors will prescribe anti-inflammatories or use topical betadine washes. But it largely depends on what is going on and what your doctor finds. Unfortunately, I am unable to help much more without a full in person exam. If you are still dealing with issues, best to see your local doctor again. Here is some more info about eye infections: ua-cam.com/video/qEg7sJKRhXI/v-deo.html
No I haven't bought online but I did look around. After your video I think I will just go local because of ease and worry free. I kinda like progressive for my near sightedness. But I need modifications to my liking so I don't have to contort my body to read things near me.
@@anydae It could work, but there are no guarantees. I hope it works out for you. Where int he Caribbean?
@@DoctorEyeHealth Trinidad and Tobago
Your arguments in favor of going to a store to buy glasses are very compelling. The only problem is most shops are a ripoff. I paid 1/5 of the price in an online store for good quality frames.
It’s all about probability. You can get an excellent deal from online shops and still get good quality lenses, but on average the online shops have a higher chance of sending you glasses that have ophthalmic issues. But for those of you who got good lenses online, more power to you!
@@telenelatelin8632 That's kind of what I said. I got good quality frames. The lenses I had to do in a shop :)
But you come back to get them adjusted at the store, right? Send them back to the online place to get them fixed or adjusted instead of wasting the stores time. That's part of the price, but you don't care, you want free service when you say the store is to expensive.
@@nelson1525 lmao shut up hahah. The store still gets money when I pay for repairs, and even if I buy in store they will still charge me for repairs so what difference does it make? The store is ripping me off idk why you're trying so hard to be a slave for it
For real, most shops are owned by Luxotica….
I've had every pair of Zenni glasses I've ever bought, put on the machine at my opthalmologists office. Every single pair was 100% correct. People must enter their prescription wrong. I have lots of friends that only buy Zenni now.
Been getting from Zenni for 20 yrs , never had a problem even with progressives. Years ago had several store bought glasses that I couldn't see out of , even after attempting to correct.
Never had a problem with Zenni lenses and been buying them for the last 12 years. Frames can be a bit of guesswork though, once I find one that fits I always reorder next time I change my prescription but I usually order another pair with slightly different dimensions to see if they fit better or not.
I'm on my second pair from Zenni and have been very pleased with both. My latest prescription on progressives would have cost me $375 at a national chain, but I paid $89 at Zenni. Because I am not a rich person, I took a chance on mail order and it paid off.
@@prestonnorris9822 - I used Zenni for the first time back in May of 2021. I bought 4 pair, 2 sun/2 regular bifocal glasses. Its been a great experience. All for under $300. You can't beat the deal.
Yes me too!! I work at a eye clinic and always like to check my zenni glasses. They are always 100%. So far 6/6 glasses are accurate
My local optometrist/brick & mortar wanted nearly $900 for my glasses, that is AFTER what my optical insurance pays. The Zenni frame & progressive lenses I opted for this time are $750 cheaper and just fine. I worked as an optician so I know the ins and outs of the industry, and I was skeptical about online ordering but my first order from Zenni is 100% satisfactory.
That was my issue after insurance I has looking at $600+ for progressives, I got a real nice pair online that are correct for $250
What do you think about other options, like Costco? It is in-person service, not online, but still way cheaper than getting glasses directly at the doctor's office.
I got my $40 zennis recently and prefer over my Gucci's, although not my Pradas. Zenni is indeed legit
Me also
If you do know the ins and outs of optometry since you said you worked your copays are based on the type of plan you have your insurance depending on what it is dictates what you’re covered for or what’s the copay if they were that high you don’t have good insurance don’t blame it on the office that argument is so one sided
Okay I did both. My in-store experience, WITH PROGRESSIVE LENSES, was that it cost three times as much, and they got my prescription wrong. My online experience(I used Zenni), WITH PROGRESSIVE LENSES, was that I bought three pair of glasses, top of the line lenses with all the coatings and everything, with custom clip on sunglasses for each pair, the lenses were perfect, and those THREE pair cost less than the ONE pair I bought in store, AND the in store pair had no special coatings and the lenses were thick. However, if they would stop ripping us off in store, and gave us the same quality you can get online for the same price, then yeah I'd buy in store again. EDIT: Also, aren't most "in-store" glasses ACTUALLY SENT OFF TO BE MADE? Basically, you go "in store", you place your order, and then they send your prescription off to be made. Isn't that the same thing that happens when you order online? So really, what's the difference? As long as you have ALL OF YOUR MEASUREMENTS ABSOLUTELY CORRECT when you place your order, what's the difference? The person in store entered my information incorrectly and I got the wrong lenses. I entered my own information correctly, online, and got perfectly made glasses. However, this was just my experience. Everyone needs to make up their own mind.
My experience too
Mine too. I bought glasses with lenses for $458 in store. Went home, and the same exact eyeglasses were being sold for $133. It wasn't accounting for the lenses, but even with the lenses, the cost was way under what I paid in store. I'm all for supporting businesses, but I'm not about to get ripped off while doing so. I cancelled my order so quick.
Got to Costco. I got Ray-Ban 8415 with rx transition and prisms for $190. The frames cost $236 alone elsewhere
I have a feeling the online people cut the glasses for the box stores (lenscrafters) also
Same. I’m wearing my progressives from Zenni as I type this.
I think it is also important to acknowledge that the accessibility of buying glasses online can be really essential for those who may be disabled, have busy work schedules, kids, language barrier, or other restrictions that don't make in person shopping a good option for them. Also, some people enjoy in person customer service, while others may feel anxious/overwhelmed or even pressured and would rather shop online, it's different for everyone, and it's great that we have different options and sources available to use in this day and age!
Yep, I have ADHD and it is nice only having to remember to get glasses for a few minutes and order them vs having to run an errand (usually several since I'll need to go in to order them and later to pick them up).
Indeed, you could end up with worse glasses if you went to a store, because the vendors will pressure you and try to make you choose what they want.
I remember one pair I had to more or less fight with the store to get them to adjust it and that's before even leaving with the glasses.
Another didn't even adjust them, just handled them to me.
Besides all the ways they try to fool you, like saying polycarbonate is scratch proof, that you'll see better through it, etc.
If you’re able to make it to the optometrist’s office, why not stop in next door after your appointment to get your glasses? I get what your saying but how are people who aren’t mobile, or get anxious around others going to the eye doctor in the first place and not able to go next door to get their glasses?
@@ryanpatel6588 some places can come out to you to do the eye tests at home. Choosing glasses is a whole different set of stressors to the actual exam too, which some are not able to cope with. Doing both on the same day is even less likely, especially for those of us with limited energy.
@@ryanpatel6588 the doctor doing the exam isnt selling glasses. Talking to sales people is exhausting.
I’ve been wearing glasses for about 15 years and this is the first time I’ve seen someone review online versus “in-store” glasses. Very informative. Thanks for sharing.
Happy to help! It has been a challenge. I have been planning this video for over a year lol
@@DoctorEyeHealth Lol I believe it! I just recently got a pair of frames from Zenni and they did pretty well
@@tacheignaallen8920 me, too. no problems. just ordered another pair from them a year later. same type of frame, etc and a "store" wanted 400 bucks. my price? less than 80. huge difference.
I’ve been wearing glasses for the past 15 years and I love the glasses I’ve gotten online. I’ve used Zenni, Firmoo, and Zeelool. I order multiple pairs of glasses because I love having different styles and I also get prescription sunglasses for about $60. I’ve probably spent about $200 and have gotten 6 pairs of glasses 👓
Literally waiting for my glasses for the first time from firmoo I hope they are good
@@kavinab6629 Did you get them? How are they?
How do you get your head shape for them?
Are firmoo glasses good?
@@nou8474 I love my Firmoo glasses and I have plastic framed glasses from them and they’re sturdy. I’ve fallen asleep on the couch and have rolled over on them and I haven’t broken them yet.
I brought my own frames with me when updating my prescription and my optometrist and his assistants were not happy. They were very against bringing my own frames and kept insisting on buying the ones they had available but I stood my ground. I no longer go there. If I can save 50% or more on frames online then I sure as hell am going to. I understand supporting local businesses but when you overcharge and are passive aggressive then no thanks.
Recommend acelool
And oftentimes the quality of frames in the store is the same as you get online.
Same happened to me. They absolutely refused, if I didn't buy their frames.
Yea.
I never had an ophthalmologist push anything on me (and they worked work the optics shop).
I went to another and they've tried to push blue filter and polycarbonate for me to buy on the shop next door. At least they made clear I did not need it, but every where I went they took a look at it and tried to make me make the lenses that way.
The office I went into the eye doctor they purposely left out my frame size so that it can fit my face. I called they told me I need 25 dollars. Smh. I look at an old pair of glasses prescriptions and got them fit perfect. In store they get attitude if you go somewhere else but we still have to go to them for prescription smh. My money I spend where I want too. You getting that insurance money. Instead reduce the prices. I can get everything I need for my glasses on for way cheaper than in the store. So no thank you're
Through the years I’ve purchased about 20 glasses from Zenni and from Eye Buy Direct, and I am completely satisfied with them. I get prescriptive with blue light protection and anti-glare lenses. They’re usually less than $100 per pair compared to $600 for a comparable pair of glasses at the optometrist. Though I’ve never had my online glasses tested for accuracy, I’m really happy to hear from the many comments hear that people have tested and learned their Zenni glasses were 100% accurate.
How do you feel about warehouse stores (Costco, etc.) 12:15 who make glasses for less than a eyeglass store? Is accuracy an issue & do they take public insurance?
I can’t tell you enough how appreciative I am of you to make your videos. As a licensed optician I am faced with a lot of questions especially when it comes to patients asking me about online retailers. I refer a lot of them to watch your videos.
Great video! I’d like to also add that smaller eye clinics tend to be better quality than the 1-hour chains, from my experience. You also tend to get more experienced employees. Not knocking the chains, but there is something to say for shops that truly care about you and your vision. Not just about meeting a quota each week.
As a Medicaid patient, my options are fairly limited as to what's covered and where I can go. If I want exam and glasses from the same place, I'm pretty much stuck with the really low-end chain stores, where they make their money by basically railroading as many bodies through in a day as they can. The exams are very rushed, and since I have a RAGING astigmatism and focusing disorder, for me that means the prescription ends up being incorrect. (I had proof of this having just gotten glasses, and then getting insurance through a partner with really good vision coverage just a few months later, and the good optometrist was like "this is nowhere NEAR your actual prescription.") Plus, you are limited to what was charmingly called when I was a kid, the "welfare tray" of cheap, crappy generic plastic frames. Now, with the advent of online glasses, I can get my exam at a really good, independent optometrist who takes their time, pays attention to my actual eye health. I have a rare-ish genetic disorder that makes me extra prone to retinal detachment, for instance, and I didn't even have to school him on it like I do most doctors, he knew what to look for right away. And he takes my needs into account, as well. I'm mostly housebound and don't drive, so when age pushed me into "bifocal territory," instead of trying to strong-arm me into bifocals, he wrote separate prescriptions for regular vision and for distance (kind of the opposite of having regular glasses and readers), since I rarely need distance. With a good exam, I can go online and get (in my experience) better glasses than I ever got at chain stores. Even on my limited income, for instance, I got light, comfortable titanium frames for under $100. If I'm really broke, I can still get good glasses for about $45. So, on the lower-income end of things, online glasses have been a real boon.
I have purchased my eyeglasses online. I did that as a backup pair since my insurance only covers one pair every two years. In most cases, the eyeglasses that I ordered online worked well. I have not ordered any eyeglasses online in a long time. Thanks for the video and the information. You are correct about the not being able to try the glasses on for comfort and feel and that was one thing I did find to be an issue a few times.
I was on the fence about buying glasses online but this video's comment section tipped me toward buying online. I feel reassured. I have been buying glasses in brick and mortar outlets and have been spending a fortune. Easily $700 on 2 complete pairs with all add ons.
At Zenni it's like $80 per pair with add ons.
Yes I have. In 2007 when I was overseas for a holiday I met an optometrist, she prepared a new set of glasses within one hour! For the same brand frame I had to wait for 5 weeks in Australia. One hour glasses were more comfortable even it was the same brand. Since that time when I need a new pair I send her a copy of my prescription, I get the same style frame. The new pair arrives within a week. I am happy with the service.
I have a really high astigmatism in both eyes and was tired of paying $400- $700 for a new pair of glasses every couple of years. I had seen quite a few people swearing that there hot them way cheaper online. (Zenni in this case) I finally bit the bullet and got a pair and I love them. I felt like I was getting away with something! Lol I did use measurements from my old pair to order and had someone help me with my PD. This helped tremendously!
That much, I pay like 290. Do you use insurance or do you get high branded glasses ( name brands)
No, it was because of the type of lenses they had to put in my frames. The $400 side of things was if I went to an All About Eyes or a Stanton Optical type store and got the cheapest pair of frames I could find. Like on clearance for $10 kind of cheap. The most I ever paid for frames was probably around $179 and I wanted to puke but they were beautiful and my husband told me to get them. Our insurance has never helped with the cost of an actual pair of glasses, only the exams and such.
@@latischahuller oh ok. I forgot different locations means higher prices. I usally pay for frames and get free lenses. I could always upgrade to the anti glare lens which are 50 bucks more. I usally get 50 dollars off the frames
I've lived in many different places and my pricing has been pretty consistent.
@@latischahuller oh ok
I get my prescription from a store optometrist who is excellent! Then, I buy my frame online after trying them on in luxury frame store in NYC, the order my frames and lenses online! I’ve saved almost $700 and that is the honest truth. I’ve really liked what I’ve received online too. And my lenses were progressive lenses with bifocals of course.
Who did you use online?
Wow you are the perfect definition of someone who likes to waste peoples time! Trying glasses in store in person and then go home to buy the same glasses online? I wouldn’t even waste a second on you 🙄
I’m a second year optometry student who recently stumbled across your channel. Find your videos super informative and helpful!
first year Optometry student and an Optician here, hello ^^
I have had good luck buying online from Zenni. I've bought glasses for both of my kids and recently I bought my first pair of progressives from them. The main difference that I found was that vs. a store brand that I'd had previously the progressive portion was much thinner on the Zenni glasses. Where I looked through them for closer distances had to be much more precise. Overall I've been happy with this purchase and the savings were great. Thanks for your videos.
I've been doing the hybrid version of buying frames online and taking them to a local shop. Mostly because of style, I live in a rural area and selection is very limited and costly. I can purchase identical or similar frames at half the cost. My lenses are bifocal and one eye is very strong so I do rely on the expertise in the shop to ensure my lenses line up with my eye. For six years it's been working AO - AoK
I found Moscot glasses that I like, and I'm going to do that. I'm taking them to a local shop here in my city.
@@thundergato84 Moscots are fantastic.
All you have to do is have your PD and your lenses will line up correctly
@@sagevibes3458 PD? I'm not familiar with that abbreviation, could you explain pls?
I love my way cheaper and way more stylish glasses. My second year of purchasing them online and I am thoroughly satisfied, and I can afford to buy several different frame pairs at once!
Can i buy online from amazon and going to the shope and make them up? I mean the medical glasses?
@@zenss4269 yes! You can take any frame into your optometrist and they can put your prescription lenses in the frame
@@zenss4269 You can buy a whole pair of glasses including frames and lenses from the website. If you just buy frames online, it is still expensive to buy lenses and processing in the store. Of course Amazon can only buy frames, but you can buy them on some professional websites like Acelool, including frames, lenses and fabrication, which usually add up to no more than $60
I’m so thankful to have discovered you and this video. I’ve always bought in store and they’re always very expensive so getting them much less expensively online was a major draw for me. I’ve been shopping online for over a year and have had many try-on boxes sent to me during that time. I’ve liked the styles, colors, prices and quality of the frames I’ve tried but the uncertainty attached to getting the quality, accuracy, durability and features in lenses have held me back from ordering every time, especially because I use bifocals. I thought it was an either-or choice; it never occurred to me that I could buy the frames online and go in store for my lenses and fitting. That’s definitely the best if both worlds for me. Thank you so much.
This makes me happy to hear!!! Hope you can continue to find some good glasses and get the best of both worlds.
I ordered 2 pairs each from different online stores. Bifocal transitional and both have been excellent. The frames and shapes were en pointe. One cost $30, the other $133. I am definitely sticking with online. The brick and mortar stores wanted $500-$600 for exactly the same thing.
Can i buy online from amazon and going to the shope and make them up? I mean the medical glasses?
@@zenss4269 don't see why not..
Then please don’t go in and ask an optician to adjust your glasses when they don’t fit properly.
When you’re buying in the store, you’re also buying the expertise and experience of an optician who has the knowledge to style you properly, as well as custom fit your glasses when you pick them up. Your optician will always be there for you whenever you need a tweak now and again. That’s what you’re paying for. We opticians are not free.
@@alyssapenman6392 i can adjust my own glasses, I'm sorry if it offends you and I'm sure the elderly and the very young appreciate your service...for now.
@@alyssapenman6392 😂😂 so I’m paying 5-600 so you can adjust my glasses abs whatever else you said!? No thank you. You sound like those people that try to get you to buy expensive brands because “that last longer”.
I've bought locally from brick and mortar stores and online; I have a relatively high prescription, and my experience is that online has been just as good as the local stores, and sometimes even better. P.S. I love your cat... so cute... just a baby, too...
As an optometrist in another country, I find fitting to be the biggest issue. Centration of the lenses are off, occasionally the lenses are of different prescription altogether. Not just online. In stores which don't have optometrist or opticians, this happens as well. Hopefully my country can have improved eyecare health system which controls who can prescribe glasses soon.
Asking for cooperation:)
my country too
I’m an optometrist in a speciality clinic (vision therapy and rehab) where we don’t have an optical. For my patients with straightforward prescriptions, I tell them they can get their glasses anywhere and they will probably be ok. I have several pairs of computer glasses (single vision) that I’ve bought online for myself, and only one was a dud as far as wearability. I do find the frames to be of poorer quality- less adjustable and less comfortable.
I write a lot of unusual prescriptions (prism, flat top bifocals with unequal adds, etc) and have very sensitive patients (brain injury, special needs). For those folks, there are only a few places in town I will send them for glasses.
I have seen a lot of poor quality glasses from Americas Best, Target, and Walmart opticals. Costco has been ok for accuracy, but use old lens designs for progressives so many can’t get used to them; and their frames are junk.
Your best bet is a small optical shop, because each job is a bigger part of their income, so they have a bigger incentive to get it right and have your repeat business.
After going to over 10 different specialists and a total loss in quality of life, only a vision therapist saw my concussion. Thank you for all your work and please spread the message wider
I work at Costco. Costco does use the newer digital surface designed lenses. There is only one design option though which works for most but not all. Most of the frames are great and designer branded. I've also worked at Walmart optical which also has some great options. I think the poor glasses that you've seen may have been more who the optician was or frame and lens options chosen.
@@michaelrobinson9296 I used to work for costco and when I recommended varilux Progressive lenses for wide field of view vision. They wrote me up and suggested that I referred patient to private optical for that type of lenses. Now that got to tell you something about their business.
As a Licensed Optician at Costco you gave good information and were honest and unbiased. Good job!
He was biased...He said Most of his clients who buy progressives online complain....READ the comments here, they are not in line with his statement, and also all my friends and my sister are very happy with their online progressives.
@martymarl4602 Most of my patients had bad experiences with online glasses also. Especially progressives and those with high Rx.
Thank you. I’m about to make this decision myself. I’d love to support my local shop but I’m aware that a single company controls the price of almost all brand of frames.
I’ve just come upon your channel so don’t yet know if you’ve offered a tutorial on adjusting glasses to fit. I grew up in a time/place where the local pharmacist routinely adjusted glasses. My father was that person. Once you know the basics you can adjust for comfort and fit if not for the very best possible vision. Hot water, a flat surface an instrument screwdriver, mini pliers and a pair of calipers will go a long way.
Great video, pretty much sums up my experience. I agree, generally you get what you pay for. However, sometimes I felt upsold for frames I wasn’t really happy with. I tried online and the biggest issue for me was finding what fit my smaller sized face. Some sites had a one time return if you weren’t happy. Ultimately I purchased several pairs I was happy with of a decent quality, although like you said, they are not quite as high quality as store glasses. Oh yeah it was a pain to adjust the glasses myself, but I didn’t know you could go to a store to do it and after several pairs I got used to it. I do find that store adjusters tend to stop at good enough when i want the frames to sit correctly.
A lot of frames at local shops that I really like are not available in my size. I believe most frame models are available in limited size configuration. I use dimension labeling from existing frames that I like when buying a new build on line.
I love your video. I’m at the verge of ordering prescription glasses, and your thorough explanation helped me a lot. Thank you 😊
I bought my last pair at a shop, total cost of 1000$. The frame is clearly too small for my head, but I didn't realise it/know it at that time. I had two employees ''helping me'' the whole time, basically just handing me frames to try. They were pro at suggesting all the expensive upgrades, but total incompetents at correcting my frame size selection. They were probably too scared to lose a sale if I didn't love any of the frames of the right size for me.
Most opticians have unfortunately been reduced to salespeople.
I have always used Zinni but my girlfriend and I decided to get them from our eye doctor for a change. Zinni cost me about $150 a pair from the Dr's office were over $700. I would like to mention that the $700 were not usable for me because the progressive line was too high. I just had cataract surgery so glasses are not an issue at the moment.
I'm willing to bet a lot of the people who get inaccurate glasses from these places enter their prescription incorrectly when ordering.
I agree, this could be a strong possibility.
Yeah, this is all done by machine to be competitive. Enter parameters and hit go. Mine have all been checked and were accurate.
I've ordered my glasses online and its been pretty accurate so far. I am not going to pay full price frames on a limited budget.
My experience required that the original prescription be scanned (copied). Not entered manually.
Most websites require you to also submit a copy to the actual prescription so they can double check.
The real issue, I think, is pupillary distance. Those of us who get ours measured by an optometrist have much more success ordering online than those who don’t, in my experience.
Correct me if I’m wrong, of course.
I just bought glasses online and I made sure I included my pupillary distance as measured by my optometrist. They don’t usually write it on the script, but made mine do it anyway.
66 years of wearing glasses & I'm so very glad I found I can get my glasses online!! A huge savings & I can see perfectly!
My daughter has bought multiple…40 pair for her and her children…online. We were just discussing it today. She gets so many because they are inexpensive enabling them to play with different frames for their mood. The pair she wore today cost her around $50. She had all the coatings, progressive lenses and really cites frame. They were perfect right out of the box. She has never had to have a pair adjusted or redone. Locally the same glasses would run around $1000 in a brick and mortar store.
As much as I like knowing that I'm getting the most accurate prescription, cost is a huge factor. Plus, I don't like that I'm forced to choose what a store has--and, growing up, I had to make that decision AFTER my eye exam.
Not only does buying online save me money, I can narrow down what I want. And, potentially, I could own a few different pairs [permitting my income] since shopping online saves me $100s.
Love the feedback! Thanks Hannah. I know you are not alone.
I agree all the stores in my area have crappy insurance glasses and the "good ones" are always out of pocket and inaccessible. Its sad
Thank you for exploring online glasses shopping. I'm in a position where I'm between cataract surgeries and really need an option to help me out for 6 months. Hard to justify spending $800 for local glasses when I'm just going to have to purchase again in 6 months. Thanks for putting out the pros and cons!
This was me over the last year and it's how I discovered Zenni (and now EyeBuyDirect, too) and LOVE LOVE LOVE. I'm an evangelist for online glasses now. I feel like the store prices are basically a scam.
Once again, your are absolutely correct! After buying many many pairs of glasses online, I can corroborate that you are taking a chance each time. Most of the time they are good to very good, but not always. There are times when they are awful. The online company will remake the lens, but it takes time for shipping both ways and remake, which is probably done in China. As you stated, the lens material and coatings will likely be ok, but not top of the line. Thanks again for another honest review.
Thank you so much explaining this. This helped me so much!
I’ve been buying my glasses online for about 15 years now. I’ve only had to send a couple pairs back - one pair was a poor frame choice, one they got my husbands prescription wrong. No issues with returns on either pair.
I will say the biggest advantage for me is cost. I KNOW what size frames I need, I know what frame shapes work best, and I like variety. Each prescription change I generally get 2 pair sunglasses, 2 pair reading glasses, and then 3 or 4 pair of normal distance correction for less than ONE pair of glasses would be at the local optometrist. When I was paying $500+ for a single pair of glasse, I was insanely picky - they had to be perfect for everything - formal, casual, work, school, etc... Now that I can find glasses for under $40 each I’m not at all picky and have found way more styles, shapes and colours that before I’d never have gone for. Current frames include tortoiseshell pattern, green plastic, teal plastic, pink, polka dots, beach glass look, oval frames, rectangle frames, cat eyes, square...
I really appreciate the honest review and the pros and cons of each. It echos my experience and I find having been ordering my own glasses for so long that I have learnt more about my prescription and feel like I can ask my optometrist better questions during the eye exam.
Prescription - astigmatism in both eyes, distance correction in both as well need for reading glasses (I prefer to have reading glasses and distance glasses and switch between as needed as opposed to progressives or bifocals)
I wear multi focal progressive glasses, I tried buying a pair online, after a couple months I realized the reading portion was too small for me and I was struggling to make the glasses work. I called the online company, there’s nothing they could do. I agree wholeheartedly with the statement if you need progressive lenses, it’s way too tricky. I went back to my optometrist ate some crow and bought them there.
I only buy my eyewear online now. I tried a few years ago to make a store purchase and it was a nightmare. My online glasses are great quality, last as long as I need them to and I get them for half the price of a store purchase. I appreciate your honesty on this process!
Great information Dr. Allen!!
Now I know what I to tell pts when they ask about this!!!
Can't wait to be a great doctor like you!!!
I've worn glasses from online ships for well over ten years. I've gone from single vision to progressive and honestly the only time I had a problem was when the EYE DOCTOR'S OFFICE gave me the wrong prescription. Quality has always been perfectly fine because I can afford to switch out glasses because I have to wear a $700 pair of glasses until they die. I think it's important when you are buying online that you know what styles you prefer (I hate wire arm frames), what size fits your face, and what kind of shapes look best on you. If you don't have a clue about what your preferences are then online probably isn't best for you. But, if you have a frame you like that fits well, etc., you can pretty easily start assessing what would work for you. Honestly having a "wardrobe" of glasses that you can switch out is worth the hassle. I'll never buy from my eye doctor again.
Exactly and if you know the size of your old frame and you like the way it fits and how it looks you just kind of go off with that and then you know what you had in the past on style and if you had enough glasses in your life you know what style of frame you like and shape. I'm the same way I'll never buy glasses in a eye doctor again when you can get the same exact glasses online for a third of the price and so what if you have no one to adjust them once they get there if anybody wears glasses long enough they know how to adjust their own glasses and most the time have to re adjust them completely anyway after you leave a eye doctor place because they are digging in all over.
I'm on my 4th pair that I have bought on line. I've paid about 60 dollars a pair. I can see just fine and the sunglasses are great. That being said, the frame quality is not as good but pretty good. But they didn't cost 700.00 dollars either. The frames on line are yesterday s trends, not new trends. I like to have a really good pair from a real store, and extra pairs from on line
I got my pairs from Firmoo,I have always been satisfied with the products. At first, I was worried I doubted an online store would be able to handle my prescription,but it works, good quality and cheap price! Love Firmoo!! Now I can buy several pairs at once
Worked for me.
Test lenses.
Now back to 20/20.
Thanks for your help!
I've been buying my glasses from Zenni for years, and have never been disappointed. I wear progressives, and prior to my cataract surgery had a very strong prescription. Glasses priced locally (from their 'budget' wall) were over $500, and about $150 from Zenni. Frames in eye clinics are ridiculously overpriced.
My store you get Gucci with progressive digital lenses, transition and A/R for around $500. You probably went to a corner store in the Hamptons for those prices.
@@CarlosHernandez-ki6tv You do understand that people have varying degrees of insurance? Some insurance will only cover like 25% of the cost of a hi-index lens, MAYBE give you $100 allowance for frames which then winds up sticking you with some of the ugliest and plain frames, and then if you are like me with really BAD eyes and severely near sighted and requiring progressives and a high index lens so i don't have coke bottle glasses, just ONE LENS costs me around $225 WITHOUT A FRAME. After my insurance covers it pittly amount. So to get a pair of progressives lenses in my prescription right out the door costs $450 JUST FOR THE LENSES. Then you factor in that i need frames and if I go cheap i get ugly frames for free or 20ish dollars since I get a $100 allowance for frames EVERY TWO YEARS. Well guess what, most people need new frames yearly because they don't hold up well. So then if i get better frames, they run $250-300.... So once you deduct my $100 allowance it comes out to $550-650 for a single pair of progressive glasses.... Or i can go to zenni.com and get the exact same thing for $200 TOTAL
The shops will always be better because they can advise what frames to go far. Especially if you have pretty bad eyesight and the actual lenses are going to be thick. Also they will measure to make sure the glasses will fit correctly on you. But if I want unique and quirky online is better
Thanks for this vid! Currently doing some minor research before I buy online. I'm still sticking to my in-store prescription glasses but I truly do need some prescription sunglasses because it's sunny 95% of the year where I live and I've never had prescription sunglasses before. Definitely feeling a lot better with my decision to do so!
Hope you can find some great lenses! I hope to do some more reviews this year.
Thanks for the detailed video. I had a good experience buying glasses online. I was able to input my prescription without difficulty and also measure my PD. The site I used had a virtual try-on feature - that's where you can see a 3d picture of your face wearing frames - which helped me confirm my choice. There were also choices for various lens coatings and fortunately I already knew which ones I wanted. When buying glasses online the key to success is doing the homework. Anyone who isn't comfortable with the process is probably better served by an Optician/Optometrist.
Thanks for sharing your experience. I'm glad it went well!
Thanks for the honest review. Rarely do i get that honesty from an optometrist here. I have bought glasses many times online. They work but vary on quality by price. They have worked well and saved me from added costs i dont have employer coverage. If cost is no issue i would recommend just going to the local optometrist as they can make all the adjustments to the frame to fit your face properly. Great video!
I’m curious how you know your optometrist was being dishonest? I’m not asking being a jerk or being assumptive, I’m curious is all. With respect,
@@fortyfour6626 Obviously these online providers are cutting into their business so most of them are making up lies to discourage people from buying. Yes i was lied to till i tried buying for myself.
@@miketammaro5609 that’s so unfortunate. True colors come out huh.
My brother recommended Zenni, describing them as having prices so cheap, "the glasses are practically disposable!" I wear progressives. When my first pair arrived, the mid-range and reading areas were absolutely perfect. It wasn't until I was driving to work that I discovered my distance vision was blurry. Sent the glasses back and they admitted they'd screwed it up and gave me a credit. I chose a different pair and it's on the way as I type this. Hopefully they'll have gotten it right this time. The total cost was about $300 less than I paid for my current glasses four years ago.
I LOVE Zenni Optical!!
Thank you so much for this. I am currently considering Zenni. Would love to know how it ended up going for you.
@@mrs.b.s.7212 I am wearing my new glasses as I type this and they are amazing. They are progressives. The frames were only $16, but because my prescription is so strong, I sprung for the $90 lenses, which are considerably thinner and lighter. They needed very little adjustment to fit me perfectly.
They probably didn't screw up. There is a measurement with progressives called the seg height that is dotted from the pupil to the bottom of the lens. It is impossible to know where that measurement needs to be when buying online so they make an educated guess. Your seg height was too high and that was likely your issue.
@ Lissa, so you paid $300 for a online order, what do you got in your order?? Thanks
Your video was insightful so thanks. I got TomFord 5557 in gray w/transition gen 8 amber lenses online after trying on in store and having the only pair sold before I came back with Rx. Should be noted that some stores like LensCrafters let you buy online and pickup in store for fitting. Surprisingly the online price was far cheaper so I went that route. Wish that wasn't the case as the folks in store were helpful even if a bit too sales focused on lens upgrades and protection plans.
Love your videos!
Very informative and helpful.
Thank you so much!!
There really is a craft to opticianry and it's a shame the industry being money hungry has made people unware of that. I think it's pretty neat to get a pair of glasses fitted specifically to your eyes and style. It's truly unique! I think more people would think so too if they werent forced to pay an arm and a leg to be able to see. I still go in person for my glasses, but i understand why a lot of people go online for theirs. I shop online for convenience or price too
My 600 dollar glasses have much higher clarity then my 100 dollar online Eyebuydirect glasses. The online glasses aren't bad but just not as good as the ones I get at my eyedoctor. I used the highest index and I found that the clarity in my expensive glasses is much better then online ones.
Finally somebody that speaks out loud, how am I supposed to guess which online store is not that good
Sure, and my billion dollar pair is better than your $600.00 pair, so what's your point? Keep spending tons of money for barely noticeable reasons?
@@ideamaker I agree we shouldn't spend so much on glasses and we get ripped of at the optical. The point I was making however is that the quality of lenses from my optical is superior to the online glasses.
I bought mine of AliExpress which are better than store one. I'm not sure if they messed up the prescription or what. I store lenses that I got sucks when I try scrolling down on the comments section it causes eye strain and look distorted. The online doesn't do this. I did get mine directly from chine and quality was really good for the glasses and lenses.
I normally buy my glasses online and have for the last 10yrs or so. These have varied from progressive lenses with all the extras to computer glasses that are single lense. Where I've been let down the most has been the screws that hold the arms in place - one pair I loved used a non-standard screw and my local eye glasses place couldn't replace the problem ones. This has happened a couple of times. I'd like to say that where I live (Australia) the price of progressive lenses with transitional and anti-reflective coating can be incredibly expensive (around $600 or more) and buying online is cheaper by a big margin even when I factor in postage costs ($120). Last night my very cheap computer glasses arm broke just after the hinge. Today I went into the optical store and bought one of their least expensive frames (that happen to suit me well) and since they have my prescription I'm sure these will be just fine and last a lot longer. And really, $39 (total cost) is quite reasonable. As these won't be used anywhere but in my home office, I didn't get any additional coatings. I hope I won't need update progressive lenses for a long time because I feel the quality of the online glasses overall have declined in recent years.
I have been buying Zenni glasses for 4 years now and I love them so much. They are always 100% correct and so much cheaper. The most I spend is around 60 dollars for what I need when the same pair would be $250 or more, even with insurance. It is insane.
I bought glasses online for 2 years. I got my prescription from my optometrist and then provided that online. After these 2 years, I switched back to going in person, and when I got my new glasses, the clarity was sooo much clearer and refined than the glasses I’ve bought online (my prescription has not changed for the longest time, and still hasn’t changed up to this day). I would definitely recommend going in-person as they typically provide the best quality lenses, per my experience. As for the frames, online or in-person works fine.
Thank you so much for making this video! I was an optician for years & I feel that it’s definitely important for people to know what they’re getting into when purchasing glasses online. We would have many patients come into us after buying glasses online stating that the prescriptions were wrong or that even their progressives weren’t right after being a first time progressive wearer.
It must have entered the prescription wrong
The 3 opticians (including host) say come in store..99% of the comments say "No"...Hilarious
All great information. Answered most of my questions. Thanks. 👍
I have a very strong prescription and I've ONLY had problems with brick and morter stores (who have to order my lenses online anyway). They mount my lenses wrong about 50% of the time and i have to have them corrected. I have to make adjustments on my own because i have more experience just from decades of wearing glasses then the people who sell them do. The lenses you get online are the exact same! Except when i buy them online Zennies actually polishes the edges correctly!
As an optician I have had a fair amount of people come in to see me with issues with their online glasses. It's usually due to them inputting the prescription incorrectly or guessing their PD or selecting with 'average' PD button.
In theory if you get this all correct then you'll likely still find the vision particularly in the periphery of the lenses is not as good as they often don't use best-form lenses or if they do use aspheric lenses, the vertical centration hasn't been taken into account.
You get what you pay for at the end of the day.
I get what you are saying but for 600 cheaper I'll take my chances lol.
I recently bought glasses in-store. They steered me to progressives, but they didn't measure my PD or anything about how the frames would sit on my face, which I've since realized is important for a good optical result. They also wanted to charge $1000, *after* insurance. How could online be worse than that? It seems to me that the store was more concerned with a quick turn-around and up-selling the customer, than with educating the customer about the options and going through a sound process to produce a satisfying result. It seems to be all on the customer to be informed and advocate for themselves. In the end I bought a distance pair at the store and six pairs of cheap reading glasses from online. I'm very satisfied with the reading glasses. I somewhat regret the expense of the distance pair, even after getting them to apply coupons. I think there's something to be said for keeping them inexpensive. They are exposed on your face in all kinds of conditions and can be dropped or broken; I don't feel comfortable wearing something expensive.
I always figured getting online frames and going to the doctor to get the lenses was the way to go. No one really needs Ferrari frames when they are the same to produce as the cheaper frames right next to it.
That isnt really the case. Many online marketers will push the notion that their cheap glasses are manufactured in the same way with the same quality. Some may be the case but most designer frames are made with better materials and hand made. Also, cheap ass frames dont last very long. High quality frames can be re-used for up to 10 years depending on how well you take care of them. Cheap frames will fall apart (even within 1 year)
At least you go to your doctor for lenses and giving them some business
Really depends on what you prefer :) It is like cars... they all have 4 wheels, a steering wheel and an engine... But I would hardly call that "same". Even tho I understand that cars are more complex, there sure are advantages to picking a frame you can try on, and also get advice from the Eye Care Professional regarding the right lenses for the type of frame you are picking at the local store. When you buy glasses online, there are occasions where the online purchased frame simply may not fit well with the future prescription lenses.
But then again this is only my personal experience as an optician/opthometrist :)
@@moomanchu608 “Handmade”? Do you really think Essilor has an army of ancient craftsmen turning out RayBans by hand at their factory in China? There would be much more variation in quality if that were the case.
As for reusing frames, the shops I inquired at told me wanted a fee of at least $25 for the privilege of reusing my frames. My new frames only cost $21! Plus, I would be without my glasses for two weeks while the new lenses were being put in. How many ways can I say “not worth it”?
The difference in quality between a cheap pair and a quality pair can be massive. Some really budget frames size can vary between two of the same model (and I have seen different sizes between left and right eyes). The other end would be something like a Starck where the frame is cut curved from a block of acetate rather than just being heated and then curved. Guess which stays in shape in hot weather.
More expensive frames often have more layers of 'paint' or made from more durable materials like stainless steel, beta titanium or precious metals
@@edwardwright8127 Handmade, these days, refers to a cellulose acetate frame that is milled from a block, polished for days in a barrel of wood chips and compound, and assembled. Non-handmade connotes a plastic frame that is injection molded, or stamped out of acetate, then shellacked for a shiny finish rather than polished. You can see the orange peel and rough finish on the bad ones.
Every year with my visit to the eye doctor I purchase pairs (usually 2) from the store and when I pick them up I ask for my prescription and they are happy to give it to me. I'll use my HSA account to pay for an additional pair (usually sunglasses or as a "backup" pair) from on-line. I've had good experiences with the on-line stores but the process does take longer (time to shop and time to wait on them being made and shipped).
Thanks for the info!! Great videos, Dr. ☮️
Glad you like them!
I’m an optician, so my job is to literally sell glasses to patients. The thing I’m seeing the most is the fit is almost always wrong. Everyone brings us their online glasses for adjustments and sometimes it’s impossible because they’re too big/too small.
Monica - It's time we start charging for our services...how much is the question.
@@philipdarnall787 you are charging for your services, if you are an optician. That's why a pair of glasses from the brick and mortar places cost so much more than an online pair. Once the customer figures out all the information, that they need to know, to order on their own, then they don't need your services, and they shouldn't pay for them. Unless they really want to. I have a friend who always buys local and she can afford it and I respect her for it, but I don't have the discretionary cash that she has. I've gotten really good at buying glasses online and I will never go back.
@@therealdeal3672 Take your own PD, figure out your seg ht, repair and adjust your own glasses and all is good. Don't ask me to do it while I have paying customers waiting in line for my services.
@@philipdarnall787 I got my PD's being a paying customer! Jealousy shows! Can't compete with online? Because your services aren't really worth all that? That's what I thought. That's why I'm not paying for people like you anymore. I don't need to pay your mortgage I need to pay mine.
@@philipdarnall787 holding out the PD is your only way to keep paying customers. As a matter of fact one of my online vendors sent me the measurement device for measuring PD's but I already earned my measurements by paying through the teeth for glasses for years. Get a clue! Some businesses just change when online becomes available. Yes your industry is one of them too!
Very professional explanation. I would like to have a spare low cost in addition to my eye doctor’s just to enjoy more options and looks. I got great insights on the specs from this video. Thank you!
Hey thanks I appreciate that!
I do that for years now. Buying frames online and have lenses replaced with my prescription grade in my local optical shop.. saves me a ton.
Your videos are always most informative and a great help - well shot and well edited. From David of Wales.
Years ago I went to pick up my new prescription glasses at my doctor's office. Just as you said they didn't fit. Well the person who was adjusting the glasses kept bending them (plastic) until they snapped. So much for professionals who fit glasses. Of course, they ordered another pair and I had to wait to get those glasses.
hi remember me i had my first cataract done here in the UK , wasn’t a pleasant experience, however my sight has improved 20/20 vision the world is a brighter place now and just over a week later , i actually started driving again .
my second is on the 14/10 , this time iv sedation and adequate pain relief so hopefully my vision will improve, but i will need reading glasses , i will go to my optician for my reading glasses so i will know that they will be for me . i am overall pleased i am having my cataracts operated on but i truly wish i had been prepared better . my dry eyes have improved but i have had to stop my treatment because of my post op eyedrops . my regards liz from UK 🇬🇧 i will not in the future buy any glasses on line .
Hi, does one need glasses for every different distance after surgery for cataract? Hope everything gets well soon. Only know/knew 2 people with cataract surgery and I don't understand yet.
Love your video. You speak very clearly. Thank you.
I bought a pair of versace frames on ebay because there were like $215 less than retail, was able to get them authenticated ^ then went to my local eye doctor ^ got the best lenses I could. Will absolutely be something i do again unless of an emergency. I've had a full & partial retinal detachment in right eye, left eye also has had partial detachments. So getting accurate lenses & the most important aspect for any pair for me. Appreciate this video for confirming that's a great way to go!
I get mine online and have them adjusted at the optometrist. I've never had a problem buying from Zenni -- I started buying my daughter's from Zenni when she was 7 and found their frames to be, by and large, pretty bomb-proof. Getting my own there means I can have more than one pair, along with sunglasses; I think the most I've ever paid was $50. For someone like me, who doesn't have vision insurance, it's the only way to actually afford corrective lenses.
the arguments are compelling, however I like a particular brand, and the last couple of stores i checked, they wanted to charge me close to $600+ for the pair that I liked with the lenses. I went online, with my prescription and got the same pair with the anti blue light and anti reflection for $200. I have ordered 2 pairs this way and they have been perfect. I think ill keep going to the store for the eye exam and keep buying my glasses online
Well, as an Optician, i unfortunately cannot disagree with this line of arguments.
I see way too often that optical stores overcharge waay too much for their stuff. They can for instance give you a pretty mediocre lens that is made super accurately with latest technologies, which skyrockets the price, when in fact, you're still getting a mediocre lens. xD
For instance, there is a store that is right next to ours, they sell stuff that is of worse quality than what we sell, while their prices are 3 times higher.
About a year ago I realized that I needed low bridge fit glasses for my Asian features. Over all these years non of the stores I have been to even mentioned that to me and only one store recommended me a pair with the nose pads that would fit me. I don’t know why it’s so hard for them to tell the “truth” to me and instead just trying to sell me whatever I was looking at. Nowadays I only buy low fit bridge glasses online and it took me a few purchases to learn about my sizes-it matters a lot and I highly recommend people to learn about it firsthand.
Thanks for the video, it reassured me that online glasses are just as good when you do everything right. I have been looking at other online glasses comparisons from a different country. It seems like the online stores all have stepped up a little and the major chain stores have lowered themselves somehow when it comes to regular lenses. I would still like to experience high end lenses someday but right now for my situation the online ones are just as good.
I've noticed that some Japanese brands have wider bridge pieces than European brands. The truth is people from different parts of the world have different shaped faces.
Thank you for sharing this valuable information!!!
I've gotten my last two or three pairs of glasses online, and the only time I had a problem was when I put in the average pupillary distance instead of my exact PD. Other than that, I've had few problems, and I've saved so much $$$. My last pair cost about $50-60 with clip ons, blue light blocking, 1.61 lens, and cool frames.
Happy to hear things have been doing well!
I've bought glasses online for several years. The only problem I had was when I made a mistake typing in the prescription. I take them to a local place for adjustments. I can usually buy 2-3 pairs for the price of one that way. And I need progressive lenses & a computer pair. But after the first big mistake, I did my homework & know the sizes & shapes. It's work 😆
Where do you get your progressive lenses and frames from ?
@@kimwhaley5905 Zenni
I hope they charge you for fitting those spectacles as you can’t expect them to cross subsidise an online business.
Firat of all great video and thank you so much for making it. I ordered recently from Clearly after visiting their brick-and-mortar store here in Ottawa. The doc was fantastic and the staff were just excellent. The staff at store had me look at the tip of a marker side to side and also entered a dual PD to make sure I would see properly through the lenses. My prescription is -4.75/-4.50 along with astigmatism in both eyes so I got the thinnest lenses plus coatings, so on and so forth. Paid $167 CAD.
Once I recieved the glasses, they fit perfectly straight out of the box, no adjustment needed, I was actually shocked! The frames felt solid and high quality, not flimsy at all (for reference the model was Main and Central 50 Cavan, in Gold). The frame and bridge and all joints etc seem to be welded very well. Regrettably the frame had a subtle but glaringly obvious aesthetic defect so I had to send them back (The right rim was not shaped correctly, did not look round/symmetrical as it was meant to...smh dunno how that made it past inspection🤔). I would like to think that I am an exception and that most of their glasses are build correctly.
I do have to say that being able to go to the Clearly store in person was the difference between me being willing to give this company another chance in the future and just hating them altogether. An interaction with one of their customer service reps via chat not acknowledging that there was anything wrong with the frame just soured my whole experience (I could return them and get a refund regardless but I hate the lack of accountability). I went to the store again and they could see in person what the chat CS rep apparently could not via pictures 🙄, and they helped me sort things out. Ultimately I went with a local store/competition because my current glasses are broken and being held by a wire 😅 and therefore I don't have the time or patience to try the process with Clearly once again at this time, perhaps in the future I can try once more.
Very helpful information doctor. Thanks as always!
Hey thanks! I appreciate the comment!
Great video! I have been ordering my household glasses online for the past few years. While the cost is way cheaper, we would have issues that recently made us go back local! Our biggest issue is the screws in the glasses would become so loose, we would have to constantly go in to get the adjusted. I don’t know, I feel recently they have been terrible quality. Also I need a very thin lense as my vision Is bad and they would just toss the thickest lense in without shaving it down. I will use online as backup only now, I just wish the prices were more affordable in store!
Oh yeah! The screws and hinges are often lower quality. What brands have you ordered from?
@@DoctorEyeHealth firmoo, Zenni optical, and Warby Parker! Warby had the best ones, but as I stated, it’s always the screws and adjusting them is a pain
Paying $600 at a chain store or $75 at an online shop. It's a no-brainer for me. Been buying online for several years now without issues. & if anything (& I mean anything) happens to them in the first year they send me a whole new pair for just the $5 shipping price. I can easily afford backup pairs now.
Which online company offers that kind of a guarantee? Please share.
Wow. I really appreciate this video. I really went into a rabbit hole in search of the perfect glasses online, which required a lot of ordering plain frames from different vendors, trying them on, and then returning them.
I had specific criteria in choosing my glasses - 1. low bridge fit and. XL wide (I have a wide round Asian face with a flat nose), 3. Didn't want wire-rims, 4. progressive blue-filtering anti-reflective (as I go back and forth from a large screen monitor to my laptop, always on Zoom calls, to reading, and watching TV - basically, my eyes are darting all over the place at different ranges). A nice-to-have feature was transition lenses. A challenge was that I didn't like the selection offered by my doc and wanted to shop online for other options.
I finally found a pair that I liked direct from Oakley. My eye doc provided my RX but not my PD, so I used the app you suggested in one of your videos. I received the glasses, and now I doubt that online was the right choice. It could be different variables - 1. it's my first set of progressives, and from what I understand, it can take some time to get used to 2. I had used store-bought readers before, but when I received my official RX from my doc, I noticed it was a different strength, 3. Maybe Oakley did the lenses incorrectly. 🤷♂ Anyway, I will go to my eye doc to have them checked out. If adjustments need to be made because of incorrect lenses, hopefully, he can work with the frames I purchased.
I’ll be checking with my optometrist if I can order frames online and get the lenses from them 🥰
I've only been wearing glasses since 2016 - but I've never had glasses that weren't from online, didn't have insurance when I first started. All my glasses have been around $50 to the door, and they've all been great and I'm still using the 2016 pair. I've also bought different frames so I can switch up styles from time to time. All in all about 6 pairs of glasses and they've all been great.
Simple single vision is usually no big deal.
@@marcrosenberg232 so rude
My frames at closeout sale were 80 online. All additional extras with lenses were 400. That's online. How can you find frames and lenses for 50?
@@peppersghosttheater I used Zenni Optical
@@peppersghosttheater I use Zenni. Ihave - 5.00 prescription on both eyes. With astigmatism. I just choose free lense with 1.57 index (They're fine as is) it's already anti UV, anti scratch.Only extra I did was anti reflective/anti glare which was only 4.95. My frame cost 9.95. All in all with the shipping I only paid less than $20 and they came out GREAT
I’ve been purchasing frames only from various sources and taking them to my eye professional for lenses for years. As a petite woman I often find the selections lacking, even when my professional can order others. They often aren’t pleased but they will do it. There is often a significant savings for me on the frames. I wear a progressive lense so only trust my professional to get it right.
You answered all my questions!!
Very informative! Thanks. 👍
Another great video, thank you for sharing your expertice. As a women of a certain age, I’ve worn glasses for 30 years and my prescription always seems to change ever-so-slightly with age/weight fluctuations, etc. I’ve purchased designer and inexpensive frames in store and on-line, usually having more than one go-to pair at a time. I view glasses as “jewelry for my face.” I appreciate the large on-line selection that I can filter by big head, progressives, cat eye, and/or color. In the Covid-era, my default is more likely big head, nose pads, progressives, and rectangle- to minimize foggy glasses. Perhaps my experience in shopping on-line has been my well-defined understanding of what I want. Specifically, my experience with Zenni Optical has been amazing. My prescription is unusual: very near-sighted in one eye, slightly far sighted in the other, and additionally requiring bifocals/progressives. Zenni nails it every time. My local optometrist office nails it, too, but I didn’t necessarily find the frame I wanted. Great video, as always.
How do you adjust/service your own glasses? Will Zenni provide those services?
@@philipdarnall787 I’ve only needed an adjustment once - and that was a plastic metal cat eye frame. I used a hairdryer to warm up the plastic and just bent the arm slightly so it was more comfortable. I don’t know how Zenni would offer a customized service, I think they’re in SF ? My frames are always shipped.
I like buying my frames online but getting my lenses from a clinic
How does that work?
@@MrPGD77 buy the frames online and then go get an eye exam and have lenses made for the frames.
@@MrPGD77 Get an exam from the clinic, buy a frame online and bring in said frame, sign the release of liability waiver, pay for the order, and hope it returns okay. Most of the time it does. A few times it doesn't, most often because they frames are really old and brittle as a result.
I thought about this but I'm a little embarrassed and feel bad.
But no discount if you buy only lenses also no warranty or advice
Very helpful video, thank you. I wear progressive lenses, I have worn glasses most of my life (I'm 55), and I am very astigmatic/near sighted. So, with that being said, I am going to continue doing what I've always done, which is to get my glasses in the store and not online. Thank you again for all of that valuable information. 😊
I have a friend is in the online sales of glasses, if possible he can send you a pair of glasses so you can experience the quality
Definitely helpful because I was thinking of getting my glasses online- even did the 5 pair try on - however after watching your video I will be going local due to the type of Rx I have
I have a few comments as an optician working for an online retailer for a slight inside perspective.
If you are concerned about the process of taking measurements and getting your glasses correct, some online retailers do just as well as in store. I have worked both online and in retail and like many things in life, it’s less about where you go and more about who (which individual) you are working with. There will be people who care about you and your experience in every optical and people that don’t as well. Be thoughtful about who they are. Look for individuals that have the heart of a teacher and want to help you learn.
I would also mention the tools at our disposal are extremely accurate but I would always hesitate to order online if you can’t chat with an certified or licensed optician who is an expert taking those measurements.
From a quality perspective. If you need something really custom or specific for your job you probably don’t need an online retailer. Go into a local shop. This tends to include people that pay close attention to visual details such as aberration. Most people won’t notice this and don’t really need anything special but the ones that come to mind are; engineers, graphic designers, photographers etc.
If you don’t need more specific visual aid the majority of people will have a great experience with standard lens materials like polycarbonate, 1.67 & 1.74 high index.
I would also mention I don’t love how most online retailers handle the optical side of the business. It’s usually a retailer or tech company first and the optics is down the list at 3-4 on priorities. You can still get good quality but they prioritize it less sometimes.
Most importantly adjustments are key to your vision. It is astounding how much a good fit and proper alignment will affect your vision. If you glasses look wonky take them for adjustment and alignment. Online sometimes that gets missed but that doesn’t mean you can’t get it fixed easily and for free.
Basically if you don’t need something specific online can be great and cost effective even with stronger prescriptions (I comfortably handle +8 to -18 SPH and +\- 8 CYL as well as progressives and prism. Rarely do I get complaints about quality or vision. If you need something more specific or you don’t want a bargain don’t purchase online.
Personally I don’t care where you get them as long as you have good quality vision, are happy with the product and experience and don’t have to take a loan for them!
I'm quite sure it depends on what store you go to, as well. I've had good experiences, and also really, really bad fittings, wrong prescriptions, etc., bought in a store as well.
For sure, that is a good point
Yes, me too. And for a LOT of money. I feel that I just threw $500 down the drain because I hate these glasses, and I feel the prescription is wrong. I loved that optometrist, but I've already taken them back once, and had to pay more money, nothing was refunded or fixed for free, and I'm not going to do that again. I will try a different optometrist at a cheaper eyeglass store next time. For now, I will just squint.
Thanks for the video!! I’ve been researching this, but based on the fact that I have tri-focals and need to get the lenses that change into sunglasses, I’ve decided to go local! This saved me a lot of time, effort and money!! 👍🏻👍🏻
Happy to help! I prefer the Transitions brand for the lenses that change into sunglasses. I did a review of those too if that helps: ua-cam.com/video/6zOF9EiZk-k/v-deo.html
@@DoctorEyeHealth thank you kindly!! 👍🏻👍🏻