Navigating the World of Prescription Glasses Online
Diving into the world of online glasses shopping can be overwhelming. With so many options and considerations, where do you start? Read on to discover how to find the perfect pair of prescription glasses online.
Understanding Your Prescription
The first step to buying prescription glasses online is understanding your prescription. You’ll need to know your sphere (SPH), cylinder (CYL), and axis numbers, along with your pupillary distance (PD).
- Sphere (SPH): This number, measured in diopters, indicates the strength of your prescription. A negative number means you’re nearsighted, while a positive number means you’re farsighted.
- Cylinder (CYL) and Axis: These numbers are relevant if you have astigmatism. The CYL number tells the lens power needed to correct it, and the axis number indicates the angle of correction.
- Pupillary Distance (PD): This is the distance between your pupils, measured in millimeters. It’s crucial for aligning your lenses correctly in the frames.
Choosing the Right Frame
Finding the right frame is about more than just style, it also needs to suit your face shape and skin tone, as well as being the right size for your face. Here are some tips:
- Oval Faces: This face shape suits most frame styles. Try to avoid overly large frames that cover up your balanced features.
- Square Faces: Round or oval frames can help to soften the angles of your face.
- Heart-Shaped Faces: Frames that are wider at the bottom can help to balance out the width of the top of your face.
- Round Faces: Rectangular or square frames can help to make your face appear longer and thinner.
Lens Types and Coatings
There are different types of lenses and coatings available when buying glasses online. Here are a few options:
- Single Vision Lenses: These correct one type of vision, either near or far.
- Bifocal Lenses: These have two different areas of vision correction, one for near and one for far vision.
- Trifocal Lenses: These have three areas of vision correction, for near, intermediate, and far vision.
- Progressive Lenses: These provide a smooth transition from near to far vision, with no visible lines on the lenses.
- Lens Coatings: Options include anti-reflective, scratch-resistant, UV protection, and blue light blocking.
Online Glasses Providers
There are numerous companies offering prescription glasses online. Here are a few:
- Warby Parker: Known for their home try-on program, they offer a range of stylish frames starting from $95, including prescription lenses.
- Zenni Optical: Offering a wide selection of affordable frames, Zenni’s prices start as low as $6.95 for a complete pair of glasses.
- GlassesUSA: This company offers a virtual mirror to try on frames and prices start at $38 for a complete pair.
- EyeBuyDirect: With frames starting at just $6, this company also offers a home try-on option.
| Provider | Starting Price | Home Try-On | Virtual Try-On |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warby Parker | $95 | Yes | Yes |
| Zenni Optical | $6.95 | No | Yes |
| GlassesUSA | $38 | No | Yes |
| EyeBuyDirect | $6 | Yes | Yes |
When choosing an online glasses provider, consider factors such as price, frame selection, and whether they offer home try-on or virtual try-on.
In conclusion, buying prescription glasses online can be a convenient and cost-effective option. By understanding your prescription, choosing the right frame, and comparing online providers, you can find the perfect pair of glasses to suit your needs and style.
