Post: #1

Has anyone ever bought eyeglasses online? I'm trying to see what people's experiences have been.

Looks like the prices are very good, and you can even get "virtual fittings" on some sites.

If you've done this, I'd be curious to know if it worked out.

Post: #2

I've never personally bought them online but I have a friend who does, claims they're shipped from China somewhere. He always says they're just as good as anything you buy at an optometrist here but way cheaper and they seem like good quality to me.

Post: #3

I have-- from Shuron.com. They were very good about sending a whole bunch of sizes to try on. It was quite easy to do.

Basically, they send some frames in various sizes and if you find one you like, you order and send all the frames you tried on back to them.

Post: #4

The plus side is its cheap and there is a huge selection of frames.

The downsides is you can not not feel the weight of the frame, the measurements might inaccurate and quality control of astigmatism is a most likely going to be hit or miss. How will you know if your temples fit your ears?

If you buy online, your probably going to still need them fitted. If you go to a optometrist pay them for the fitting. At least 10 to 20 buck is better to be in the good graces. Sort of like tipping a waiter. Dealing with glasses from online is often headache inducing since they want full service but don't want to pay for it. I had a patient come in who oddly bought a pair of perfectly round glasses with a high astigmatism correction. However whenever the lens would fall out, when he popped them in he astigmatism angle was off. If he bought locally he wouldn't have had that problem. I wouldn't sell that type of frame to him.

Also if you have progressive or lined bifocals its very hard to measure the area from the pupil center to the bottom of the frame for the height of the bifocal. There is a paralaxing visual effect that happens which will cause wrong numbers if your not careful. Also the distance between eyes, PD can be tricky as well since both eyes are often not equal distant. And there are two measurements depending on if they are distant or reading single vision lens. Its not always straightforward when to use either as well.

If your prescription is very high, you might need to do the progressive measurement as well I mentioned before to counter a light bending issue. Find out warranties and how to replace lens if your RX is wrong as well too.

TLDR if your prescription is light and you want to take a risk go for it. It might pay off well for you.

Post: #5

How does the eye exam work? Do you get it done first on your own, and then email them the prescription?

Post: #6

You would get an eye exam first at you local optometrist, get the Rx , get the PDs (might be a charge for it), than enter data on website. Do not use it for first time progressives or drastic changes in RX. Its best to have a optician in those cases. Make sure there is a warranty on the frame and lens, for mishaps and breakage. If not pay extra for it since its worth it.

Post: #7

I've used Warby Parker and recommend it. Get a few pairs to try on for free before ordering or go to their store to try on a bunch if there is one in your city.

Post: #8

I paid 500 bucks to have a pair custom designed and made from http://angloamericanopticalltd.com/.
It took about 3 months.

I have a big head so I have trouble shopping off the rack. I got lenses put in from Costco for 49 bucks.

Post: #9

I wish they made custom made titanium frames. I need an unusual frame size which they really don't make. Hate plastic frames, too heavy. I'm allergic to standard metal.

Post: #10

@kbell: You avatar fits you perfectly haha.

Post: #11

(06-30-2015 10:01 PM)kbell Wrote:  I wish they made custom made titanium frames. I need an unusual frame size which they really don't make. Hate plastic frames, too heavy. I'm allergic to standard metal.

You could try Salt.

https://www.saltoptics.com/products/dext...darkcobalt

I have a pair of these but to be honest, I can't tell a difference in the weight between them and the zyl ones from angloamerican. I just prefer the zyl ones.

Post: #12

Zenni Optical is a cheap chinese glasses and frame website. No experience what so ever with them.

Post: #13

I have bought 2 or 3 pairs of glasses from zenni. I found theit quality to be ok but nowhere near the raybans I had before. The fit is usually not perfect and there lenses aren't made out of as strong of material.

Now that I live in Germany I have used mrspexx. The biggest positive was I was always able to get my glasses under 40 shipped.

The main reason I started to use cheaper glasses was that I broke 2 pairs or raybans while out drinkin in a short time.

Post: #14

I buy glasses from Zenni Optical regularly. They're cheap and cheap quality too. My current frames has a screw that comes loose after every three days.

I'd say that a pair of glasses costs you $20 w/shipping. They've never once checked my prescription (I don't have one).

If you're looking for better quality glasses, check our Warby Parker. And LINUX's recommendation for Salt Optics is really good. I have a pair of their sunglasses, and although they cost me $500, they are by far and away the best pair of sunglasses that I've ever purchased.