What is the Real Price of Buying Glasses Online?
Whether it’s a new outfit, a flat screen TV, or dinner for your family, a few clicks on the internet can have it at your door in no time. For some items, shopping in person – where you can be assisted by a knowledgeable professional – is a better way to go. Eyeglasses, most certainly, fall in this category.
What is the real price you pay for opting to shop for your eyeglasses online? Here are five factors to consider:
1. Consider Accuracy
First, let’s look at accuracy. When your lenses are prescribed, like any other medication, that prescription is specifically and precisely for you. To hand that prescription over via a website that you know nothing about, and to have it interpreted by workers that are not required to be licensed in any way, is risky.
In addition to the prescription itself, pupillary distance (PD) and optical centers measurements are also necessary. Dr. Turk explains there is more to successfully completing an eyeglass order than simply adding the pupillary distance and optical centers measurement to ensure proper placement of the optical centers over the pupil. “Progressive or bifocal lenses are notorious for being too high or too low. Even 1 mm error can result in less-than-optimal performance.”
2. Consider quality
When purchasing online, the quality of the product you are getting is often unknown. One thing you can be certain of is that online sources rely on low overhead, high sales volume, and often lack quality control.
When purchasing in a professional office, you will be assisted by skilled opticians who interpret your prescription precisely, take additional necessary measurements, and ensure that you are 100 percent satisfied.
3. Consider Warranty
Many websites are focused on providing the lowest possible price and, therefore, do not include a product warranty or guarantee. Local eyecare professionals, however, will stand behind your purchase. They will make adjustments and address issues to ensure you are comfortable in your specific lens or product.
4. Consider Coordination with Your Doctor
People sometimes forget how complicated eyeglasses are. Due to their complexity, another important factor to consider before making your purchase is coordination with your doctor. Having the ability to work directly with the doctor reduces the margin of error and gives the optician the best chance to put you in the exact lenses you need.
5. Consider the Buying Experience
Finally, for many individuals the biggest benefit of shopping in person instead of online is the buying experience. When you shop locally you can try on as many eyeglass styles as you wish. Your local optician can help you identify the best style and fit for you. The shopping experience is simply not something that can be obtained when making a purchase online.
All of these factors – accuracy, quality, warranty, coordination with your doctor, and the buying experience– should be carefully weighed and considered when making the decision of where to purchase your eyeglasses.
