Online Prescription Glasses Are A More Affordable Alternative

By Roseann Hudson


Even though more people today are covered by medical insurance than ever before, most policies still exclude vision care. This important category has traditionally been dominated by optometrists and ophthalmologists, who for many years managed the process from exam to final fitting. The explosion of Internet shopping has changed that dynamic, and buying online prescription glasses has become a popular alternative.

This trend is a result of lower costs and better selection, but does not eliminate the need for professional screening. People who have struggled against visual impairment realize that exams should be performed regularly to ensure continuing good eyesight. Optometrists and other professionals are trained to recognize potentially serious conditions, and prescribe contact lenses or glasses to correct common problems.

When a prescription has been written, federal laws enacted within the past forty years guarantee that patients have the right to choose their own lens provider, including those having a primary Internet presence. Regulations today have been updated to include contact lenses, especially daily wear varieties. While some customers still prefer to buy frames at the optician, others have taken advantage of online shopping opportunities.

For the nearly two million customers who chose to purchase lenses on line during the past year there have been measurable benefits. Unlike most brick-and-mortar offices, there is virtually no limit to the available choices. There are styles for every conceivable taste or need, and the prices can be remarkably low. The number of contact lens and glasses retailers has increased, and shopping is primarily secure and simple.

Although the new marketplace brings eyeglass and contact lens sales into the 21st century, there are some guidelines for consumers regarding potential problems with the quality and safety of materials. While writing a prescription usually requires authorization, grinding and fitting lenses does not. There are specific facial measurements for frames that must be followed to ensure comfortable wear, and consumers who disregard them may be disappointed.

To avoid that issue, many sites now present virtual fitting rooms that help create the necessary measurements. While examinations are vital, they do not necessary provide customer information regarding eye spacing, variations in facial width, the optical center point of a face, and other important factors for a safe and comfortable fit. While some retailers allow returns, the process can be lengthy and frustrating.

The biggest caveat for consumers regards inferior materials and unsafe glass, especially in optical wear that is priced far below market values. There are few regulatory controls over manufacturers and sellers of glasses, which may not always meet all optical safety standards. Extras like lens coatings may be of substandard quality, and some features may be omitted altogether, with little consumer recourse.

Even with the markedly lower costs of buying online, people with complex vision problems may be better served by a standard optician. Those with uncomplicated corrections should consider their purchases carefully, and make final decisions based on accurate measurements as well as trendy fashion modes. While an accessory can be ignored, good eyesight is irreplaceable, and should never be treated casually.




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