Should I buy glasses online?

Buying glasses online is an affordable and convenient option for many patients. Getting glasses that is within your means is better than not getting anything at all. The downsides to purchasing glasses online are essentially “you get what you pay for” and the lack of professional input from an optician. Often times, these frames and lenses don’t last very long and don’t provide the greatest quality vision. It all depends on your purchasing ethos. I understand that you might like the option of switching up your glasses every day and don’t want to feel bad when you accidentally lose your glasses. I would recommend going to your local optometrist or optical to speak with an optician about pricing and the benefits of the materials they have to offer – no obligation to purchase, just to do some research! Quality glasses will give you the best vision day to day. Your eyes are how you navigate the world and how well you see impacts your quality of life. Opticians are the professionals when it comes to selecting and fitting frames and lenses. Pick their brains and see what works best for you, your lifestyle, and your budget.

What are all these additional things that come with my glasses?

There is a lot of terminology when it comes to glasses! I’ll break down some terms here:

• Anti-reflective coating: Also known as AR coating, this coating reflects unwanted light off the surface of your glasses so that you have less glare and more clarity when you see. A high quality AR coating is recommended, especially if you do a lot of computer work and night-time driving. There are “blue-blocking” AR coatings for those who do a lot of computer work, as some research shows blue light from screens may interfere with sleep.

• UV coating: This coating protects your eyes from UV light, which damages ocular structures over time and causes some eye diseases. UV damage is cumulative, so it is crucial to invest in this coating. Luckily, UV coatings are very affordable. The coating is clear because UV light is invisible to us.

• Polycarbonate: This is a plastic lens material that is shatter-proof and often prescribed for children and monocular patients. It also makes lenses slightly thinner.

• Trivex: This is a plastic lens material that is shatter-proof and provides higher quality vision than polycarbonate lenses. I prefer this material more, but it does cost more.

• Hi-index: This is a plastic lens material that is shatter-proof and prescribed for patient’s with very high prescriptions. Hi-index lenses bend light more, thus they allow for much thinner lenses. The higher the number, the thinner the lens will be. This allows for greater comfort, as thick lenses are very heavy and uncomfortable.

• Polarization: This is a lens coating that cuts vertical light from entering the eye. This coating may benefit patients who are more sensitive to light as well as those who play sports and are outdoorsy.

• Transitions: This is a lens coating that turns tinted when activated by UV light. This coating benefits those who want a pair of glasses that can also act like sunglasses. Transitions work well, but they may not turn as dark while in the car due to the UV coating on windshields that prevent maximum activation.

• Progressive: These are glasses that have multiple prescriptions within one lens without any lines being seen. Typically, the prescriptions follow a gradient where the top of the lens is the distance prescription, the middle of the lens is set for computer vision, and the bottom of the lens is the reading prescription. There is a learning curve with progressives, and there are many designs for these lenses. The better the design (ease of use and less distortions), the higher the cost. These are very popular and prescribed often. There are also occupational progressives that benefit those who do a lot of office and computer work.

• Single Vision: These are glasses with just one prescription in them. The prescription can be set for any distance that the patient needs them for.

• Bifocal: These are glasses that have a “line”. The top portion is for distance vision, and the bottom part is for reading vision. We don’t typically prescribe these glasses anymore since progressive lenses have become so technologically advanced. Bifocals may still be used for children with certain eye conditions.