Online Prescription Glasses Are A More Affordable Alternative

By Roseann Hudson


Even as the number of people with medical coverage rises, most policies still exclude the cost of visual care. For years this branch of medical care was dominated by ophthalmologists or optometrists, who also provided a limited selection of frames and lenses. Today, Internet shopping has completely altered that dynamic. Buying online prescription glasses has become an increasingly accepted and popular practice.

This trend has not diminished the primary need for expert optical evaluation. Anyone who has struggled with a vision problem realizes the importance of having an eye exam performed regularly. Doctors and optometrists are trained to recognize and treat potentially serious conditions, as well as prescribing eyeglasses and contact lenses to correct common vision 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.

There have been immediate benefits for the nearly two million consumers who chose to order their lenses via the Internet during the past year. The selection is larger than that available in a brick-and-mortar store, with styles that accommodate nearly every taste, and prices that are usually discounted. The number of vision retailers on line has skyrocketed, making shopping simpler and faster than ever before.

This method of selling has brought the eye-care industry into the modern world, but consumers should be aware that there may potentially be issues with the safety or quality of some of the materials be used during manufacture. Writing a prescription requires approval, but fitting or grinding lenses and frames does not. To ensure comfortable, safe wear, accurate measurements must be taken, and ignoring them may cause disappointment.

Some sites now offer virtual fitting processes designed to produce the same results as an office visit. While the examination is essential for proper correction, it does not always provide customers with measurements detailing facial width, variations in spacing, optical centering and other factors important to a comfortable and safe fit. Some Internet sellers allow customers to return products that fit poorly, but that can be time consuming and annoying.

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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