Today, 182 million Americans need vision correction, which is just over half of the population. So there’s a very good chance that you either need new glasses or have recently been told that you need to wear them. But since we’re in the middle of a serious pandemic, it might be difficult for you to leave the house to try on and purchase some eyeglasses. Thankfully, online eyeglasses are an option!
Buying glasses online can be difficult, especially since you can’t try them on first. But with these 7 tips, you’ll be able to find the perfect fit! Read on to find out how to buy on websites for glasses.
1. Use Your Old Glasses as a Frame of Reference
If you already wear glasses, then your current pair can be a great frame of reference. After all, you already know how it looks on you!
Consider the color of the frames, as well as the design and shape. You can play it safe by choosing a new pair of glasses that’s pretty similar.
You can do this by measuring the length and width of your lenses, as well as the frame itself. Then, if you see some frames that you like, take a look at the details to see if they’re similar to your current pair of glasses. If so, then chances are, they’ll look great on you!
2. Consider Your Face Shape
Maybe you’ve never bought a pair of glasses before. Or maybe you’re sick of your current glasses style and want something completely different.
In this case, you’ll want to consider your face shape. Not every type of frame will look good on you, so you’ll want to go into it with some vital knowledge to avoid horrible mistakes.
For example, if you have a square face, then you’ll want to pick frames that are more horizontal than vertical. Our frames guide can be a great place to get started.
3. Make Sure You Get the Right Size Glasses
The size of eyeglasses isn’t just for fashion’s sake. It’s also to accommodate your eyes and face, just like how shoe sizes are there to help you walk better and more comfortably.
In general, if you have small eyes, frame sizes of 40 to 48 mm are optimal. On the other hand, if you have extra-large eyes, then you’ll want to aim for frames of over 58 mm.
4. Think About Your Personal Style
Once you’ve figured out the right size of glasses for your eyes, then you can consider the fun part: your personal style!
For instance, maybe you prefer acetate over metal frames and you like darker colors for your glasses. Or maybe you want some bright colors with wild designs.
Many optical websites nowadays allow you to filter by those categories so you can narrow in on frames that’ll work for you. This can save you lots of time!
5. Don’t Forget About the Different Lenses Types
When buying glasses, people get so caught up in picking the frames that they forget about the different lenses types that are available.
For example, if you work with digital screens a lot, then it wouldn’t be a bad idea to add an anti-reflective coating. Or if you have a pretty active lifestyle, add scratch-coating.
And if you have a higher prescription, you should consider getting ultra-thin lenses. This can keep them from becoming too thick and distorting your vision. Plus, they won’t be as noticeable in your frames.
You can also opt for bifocals or progressive lenses. Bifocals give you your regular and reading glass lenses in 1 frame and progressive lenses change from distance to near vision with no visible seams.
Lastly, if you don’t want the hassle of switching from eyeglasses to sunglasses, you can get transition lenses. These react to light levels and darken when you’re in the sunlight.
6. Enter in Your Prescription Carefully
Just the smallest mistake can mean all the difference in your eyeglasses, so make sure you take extra care at this step. Here are some basic terms to help you out:
- OD (oculus dexter): right eye
- OS (oculus sinister): left eye
- SPH (sphere): lens power (+ for farsightedness and – for nearsightedness)
- CYL (cylinder): lens power for astigmatism
- Axis: positioning of cylindrical power (for astigmatism)
- ADD (only for bifocals): magnifying power
Also, you should only use up-to-date prescriptions. They expire after 2 years, so if yours is older than that, make sure you get an eye exam before you order glasses. This is important for your eye health.
7. Check the Return Policy and Warranty
Our above tips should be helpful enough so you end up with the right pair of glasses for your needs. However, they aren’t foolproof, and things happen. No matter how careful you are in the selection process, you just might have some ill-fitting glasses on your hands.
In case this happens, you want to be sure that you can return your eyeglasses and at least recover some of your costs. A good company will allow you to either return or exchange your glasses without a problem. They should also have a good warranty that proves they’re confident in their products and service.
Get Online Eyeglasses That Are Right for You
With these tips on buying online eyeglasses, you’re well on your way to picking some that’ll look fantastic on you. Not only that, but you’ll get peace of mind by choosing websites that have generous return policies and warranties. That way, should your glasses not work out, you won’t be completely at a loss for costs.
So what are you waiting for? It’s about time you purchase some stunning new glasses for yourself!
If you’re ready to look at some glasses for men, then browse our selection now. New patients currently receive 15% off of their 2nd pair of complete glasses!
