Ever thought about buying glasses online?  Purchasing eyeglasses online may offer convenience to patients, but the American Optometric Association (AOA) warns that the consequences of making an uninformed purchase could cost you more time and money in the long run. 

The AOA stresses that eyeglasses are an investment in your health and must be custom-fitted not only to meet particular prescriptive, but also to provide the greatest level of ocular comfort which only an eye doctor can determine.  

“Without visiting an eye doctor, patients run the risk of purchasing eyeglasses online with an improper fit or receiving the wrong prescription,” said Dr. Elizabeth Johnson. “Patients can spend more time dealing with online order mistakes and making returns than had they simply visited their local eye doctor in the first place.” 

An AOA study published in coordination with the Optical Laboratories Association and The Vision Council highlights the disadvantages of ordering eyeglasses online. The study concluded:

• Of 200 glasses ordered online, only 154 pairs were actually received;
• 44.8% had the wrong prescriptions or posed a safety issue;
• 29% had at least one lens fail to match the requested prescription;
• 19% of adult lenses failed impact resistance testing; and,
• 25% of children’s lenses failed impact resistance testing.

Purchasing eyeglasses from a local optometrist like iCare Family Vision is the AOA’s first and foremost recommendation, but if patients are still interested in making a purchase online, the AOA strongly warn consumers to do their research before making a final decision.

“If a patient believes that ordering a pair of glasses online is in their best interest, it is important for the patient to know about the potential downsides in doing so,” said Dr. Johnson. “In multiple studies it has been revealed that nearly half of all glasses ordered online had either the wrong prescription or were made with a very low safety standard. Personally, I find that an unacceptable standard of care and a disservice to the patient. Patients deserve much better than that.”

iCare Family Vision and the AOA reccomend patients to consider the following factors before making a eyeglass purchase online:

The Fit

The fit of eyeglasses is critically important — if the fit is incorrect, not only can a patient experience discomfort, such as pinching and headaches, but can also cause additional vision problems which could affect the long term health of your eyes..

The Materials

Consumers also need to consider the various lens options available, and what is best lens for their particular prescription and lifestyle. Lenses come in various materials, such as traditional plastic, as well as thinner (high-index), lighter materials. Other considerations are the different anti-reflective coatings and UV treatments available such as non-glare coatings and photochromic (transitions) lenses. 

The Prescription

Just because the eyeglasses “look right” on your face, it doesn’t mean the measurements are correct. Pupilary distance (PD) determines where to place the optical center of each lens in your frames to customize the optics to your eyes. This measurement is necessary to ensure the eyeglasses serve your vision needs properly and you can see properly through them.  

Patients need an optometrist like Dr. Johnson at iCare Family Vision to provide the PD and to ensure precise measurements.  Measuring your PD is a service provided at no-charge with all eyeglass purchases at iCare Family Vision. The measurements needed for multi-focals and progressive lenses are more complex and can only be accurately made once the frame is selected and properly fitted to your face, so typically this measurement is simply estimated at best for eyeglasses available online.  Buyer Beware!

Why You Should Purchase Your Next Eyeglasses From iCare Family Vision

At iCare Family Vision, we stand behind our products 100%.  We guarantee the accuracy of the prescription, and the fit of your eyeglasses.  We always recommend products that will help you see clearly and that fit your lifestyle.  We offer only the finest selection of frames and lenses available. Our fashion-forward inspired optical boutique comes alive with locally-sourced furnishings and displays that provide a unique backdrop for our incredible collection of high-quality, handcrafted eyewear from around the world. Our team of American Board of Opticianry Certified (ABOC) eye care professionals will help you and your family select the perfect glasses.  

You're going to love the way you look!