As someone who has worn glasses for over 20 years and goes through multiple pairs a year, I‘ve purchased eyewear from every source imaginable – national chains, local opticians, big box stores, designer boutiques and most recently, online retailers. With web prices typically 40-60% less than brick-and-mortar shops, I decided to give internet newcomer Glasses.com a real-world test drive.
After testing over 3500 devices in my career, I know a quality user experience when I see one. And I‘m happy to report online eyeglass buying through Glasses.com proved smooth, affordable and successful based on my firsthand experience.
If you wear prescription glasses, take a few minutes for me to walk you through what this top digital eyewear merchant has to offer. I‘ll provide tips so you can skip the eye doctor middleman and order stylish, accurately made lenses straight to your door.
Overview of The Glasses.com Experience
Founded in 2011, Glasses.com seeks to bring designer prescription eyewear directly to consumers digitally through competitive pricing and insurance coverage. They carry over 2,000 men’s, women’s and unisex frames spanning luxury brands like Burberry and Oakley to classics like Ray-Ban and Ralph Lauren.
As an avid online shopper, I took an analytical approach in evaluating different aspects of their service. Below I break down the key components of utilizing Glasses.com based on my personal experience as a repeat customer:
Ordering Process: Straightforward – pick frames, upload Rx details, select lens options and check out
Frame Selection: Massive – all major designers represented with obvious search tools
Lens Quality & Accuracy: Identical to my clinic prescriptions
Coatings & Add-Ons: UV protection & anti-glare included; other upgrades available
Insurance Acceptance: Accepts my United Healthcare & Aetna plans
Pricing: 30-50% cheaper than optician for designer brands
Customer Service: Quick email help & proactive order status calls
Try at Home: Virtual try-on only – no physical sample send outs
Delivery Time: 7-10 days standard; 2 days expedited available
Return Policy: 60 days plus 1 year defect warranty
Overall, I‘m thrilled to have discovered this money-saving vision care disruptor. Read my in-depth breakdown next of how Glasses.com beats traditional eye doctors and sellers.
Why Glasses.com Beats In-Person Retailers
Below I explain 5 compelling benefits I uncovered from moving my eyewear business online through Glasses.com:
1. Designer Frames at Steep Discounts
My favorite upside remains the designer quality at 30-60% off what national chains and independent optometrists charge. I own lenses from Prada, Versace and Ray-Ban that would‘ve bankrupted me at LensCrafters or my local optician. Instead at Glasses.com, I spent on average:
- $150 for high-end frames with single vision lenses
- $350 range for computer progressive no-line
That matches what discounters like Costco Optical charge for generic house brands! You‘ll understand why I was hooked after my first order arrived.
2. Vast Selection in Latest Styles
Another benefit over physical eyeglass stores is the endless variety and latest releases. My local shops seem to carry the same stale 50 frames across multiple locations. But thanks to Glasses.com‘s partnerships with major designers, I can access over 2,000 different optical frames and sunglasses.
I like discovering brands I’ve never seen in real life. It almost makes shopping fun versus the boring chore of annual eye exams. Even if you know your prescription, trying on shapes virtually helps visualize new looks.
3. Vision Insurance Acceptance
As someone with UnitedHealthcare coverage, I assumed buying online would preclude utilizing my optical insurance benefits. But Glasses.com happily files directly with them which saved me another few hundred dollars!
They accept most major vision plans. Just enter your carrier details at checkout and the reimbursement will automatically adjust pricing. This perk alone negates the value of old school optometrists for me.
4. Accurate Prescriptions & Lens Options
Despite placing my first order sight unseen online, the finished eyeglasses matched my ideal vision correction and frame fit. I even had them double checked at my clinic later who confirmed the superb quality.
In addition to standard plastic CR-39 lenses, I took advantage of premium add-ons:
- Polycarbonate lenses – $79
- Anti-reflective coating – $69
Because Glasses.com handles production and shipping in-house, custom options got crafted flawlessly. Contrast this against how most eye doctors job out lab work externally.
5. Quick Turnaround Times
Finally, I appreciated receiving my finished glasses in under 7 days on average. Local optometrists often need 10-14 days relying on external labs. Add another week if needing adjustments later.
But Glasses.com fulfills everything under one roof. I once paid $20 extra to upgrade from ground to 2 day shipping. The end-to-end efficiency impressed my operational mindset.
Clearly you can understand my high praise. Now let me cover helpful buying considerations as you weigh trying online options.
What To Know Before Ordering Glasses Online
Purchasing prescription eyewear digitally poses some initial hesitation around sizing, vision accuracy and quality assurance. Below I‘ll address common concerns:
Virtual Try-Ons Critical For Fit
Glasses.com provides a virtual try on tool where you can see frames digitally overlaid on facial images. Take time finding images resembling your features to test shape and size scaling.
You also must precisely enter your current frame specifications:
- Lens width: expressed in millimeters
- Bridge width: space between lenses
- Temple length: front to earbend tips
Referencing an existing frame helps versus guessing. But don‘t worry – with 60 day no hassle returns and 1 year defect warranty, you can exchange if the size feels off.
Include Updated Prescription Details
Shopping online means forgoing the in-office refraction process to check vision and update lens parameters. Luckily, your most recent prescription works for online reorders if still current per expiration timing noted on paper scripts from eye doctors.
Required details include sphere, cylinder and axis measurements for single vision, bifocal or progressive prescriptions. Pupillary distance represents the other mandatory eyeglasses measurement for accurate vision:
Pupillary Distance (PD)
Knowing PD represents the distance between the pupils centers. Typically optometrists take this measurement during exams. But request your PD number before leaving for online ordering ease.
Select Lens Material & Coating Upgrades
Basic plastic CR-39 lenses work fine for most prescriptions. But Glasses.com offers lens upgrades like high index for stronger visions needing thinner form factors.
I‘d also suggest anti-reflective coatings to reduce glare and eye strain for computer usage. For $69, it provides worthwhile eye comfort value against the extra cost in my opinion.
Glasses.com Shopping & Delivery Process
Once ready to place an order, I‘ll quickly summarize what to expect during a standard Glasses.com purchase:
Order Steps
- Add desired frames to cart
- Enter prescription specifications
- Select lens material and optional add-ons
- Input insurance details if applicable
- Provide shipping and billing addresses
- Choose shipping speed
- Enter payment details and place order
Order Confirmations
You‘ll receive immediate order confirmation emails with details plus tracking info once shipped. I like how Glasses.com sends proactive status calls if delays arise for any reason.
The account dashboard also neatly centralizes order history, pending shipments and payment options. Expect extremely responsive supportOverall, everything felt thoughtfully managed versus dealing with offline retailers.
Delivery Timelines
With their Utah headquarters housing lens fabrication labs, Glasses.com requires 7-10 days for standard production. Frames ship out same or next business day once finished.
I pay a bit more ($15-$20) to upgrade shipping to 2 day delivery. But you can expect receipt in under 10 days on average unless impacted by extenuating circumstances.
You‘ll also get notifications once the shipment nears your area. I‘ve happily received my orders across multiple states with no transportation issues.
What About Returns, Exchanges & Warranties?
Glasses.com provides flexibility around returns, defects and adjustments with the following policies:
- Return Period – 60 days from delivery date
- Return Process – Complete quick online request form to generate prepaid shipping label
- Warranty – 1 year manufacturing defect coverage
- Exchanges – One free exchange allowed due to fit or prescription issues
Thankfully I‘ve never had to utilize the return process across my half dozen orders. But knowing Glasses.com stands by their products gives further confidence to buy online worry-free.
Compare Top Glasses.com Frame Brands
Let‘s compare specifications across some best selling frames carried by Glasses.com:
Top Men‘s Eyeglass Frames
| Brand | Frame Style | Colors | Material | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oakley | Trigger | 4 | Metal | $216 |
| Ray-Ban | New Wayfarer Optics | 8 | Plastic | $163 |
| Ralph Lauren | Polo 705 | 3 | Metal | $139 |
Top Women‘s Eyeglass Frames
| Brand | Frame Style | Colors | Material | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prada | PR63VS | 5 | Plastic | $340 |
| Burberry | Hamilton BE2373 | 3 | Plastic | $230 |
| Tory Burch | TY2005 | 4 | Plastic | $184 |
Review model options by:
- Color: Range of hues and finishes
- Materials: Metal, plastic, acetate or combinations
- Prices: Varies by brand prestige but far less than retail markups
Now that I‘ve covered the basics, take a look at how I ultimately select frames.
How I Shop For Glasses Online
When it comes time to order a new pair of glasses, I have a very deliberate approach:
Set Expectations On Budget
With vision insurance, I allot around $125 out of pocket towards frames. That budget typically affords nice designer options at 30-40% off retail. I then get standard lenses mostly covered by insurance.
Without insurance, I‘m willing to spend $300 total encompassing lenses. That still saves 50%+ over brick and mortar eyewear outlets in my area.
Assess Yearly Vision Needs
Do you require:
- Single vision lenses for distance or reading?
- Multifocal lenses for both distance and near sight?
- Transitions lenses that adapt to light levels?
- Sunglasses tinting and polarization?
I require glasses primarily for computer usage. So I focus on technical specifications most beneficial for prolonged screen time. That leads me to…
Select Lens Enhancements Accordingly
Given heavy device use spanning my testing career, I prefer:
- Anti-reflective coating to limit eyestrain
- Blue light filtering for eye wellness
- High index 1.67 material for optimum clarity
I feel the extra $150 investment provides worthwhile longevity versus baseline plastic lenses.
Compare Top Glasses.com Competitors
How does Glasses.com measure against rival online prescription eyewear sellers? I stacked them up across five aspects:
| Criteria | Glasses.com | Warby Parker | Zenni Optical | Eyebuydirect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $$$ | $$ | $ | $$ |
| Brand Selection | Designer | Proprietary | Lesser Known | Mixed |
| Prescription Accuracy | High | High | Mixed | Mixed |
| Frame Quality | High | Moderate | Low | Mixed |
| Vision Insurance | Yes | No | No | No |
My comparisons found Glasses.com superior for authentic luxury brands and vision insurance coordination. Budget sites like Zenni win for sheer lowest pricing on lesser known labels.
Meanwhile, Warby Parker offers chic original styles but no insurance network participation. Depending on your eyewear priorities, all fill niche customer demands.
Hopefully I’ve shown how Glasses.com modernizes the antiquated eyeglass buying experience. But any savvy consumer should rightfully have lingering questions.
Let me address common areas of uncertainty below:
Are online prescription eyeglasses the same quality?
Yes – unlike reading cheaters found in convenience stores, Glasses.com crafts designer optical frames to prescription standards matching what you’d receive from licensed opticians. Their in-house labs operate under strict industry regulations to safeguard vision accuracy.
I‘m extremely meticulous given my tech quality assurance background. I thoroughly vetted my finished eyeglasses against my doctor‘s original script and found flawless alignment. I even had them evaluated later at my clinic who confirmed the pristine build quality.
How do I know if online glasses will fit correctly?
Glasses.com solves the common online shopping dilemma of fit uncertainty in two ways:
- Recommending precise frame dimensional measurements to input based on existing pairs
- Allowing virtual try-ons to preview scale on facial images
Additionally, they permit one free fit exchange just in case initial sizing feels off upon receipt. I’ve thankfully not required this fallback over my half dozen orders. If you accurately provide current frame dimensions during checkout, Glasses.com replicates fit spot on.
Can buying online eyeglasses save me money?
Absolutely! I saved 30% off typical retail prices even when using insurance coverage. That amounted to couple hundred dollars in savings between lenses and frames.
Without vision benefits, I still spent 50% less out of pocket buying the same Ray-Ban frames versus going local. And that’s before accounting for extra grip fees and facility charges physical optometrists love tacking on.
What options exist for returns or exchanges?
Glasses.com offers customers 60 days from order delivery to initiate free returns and exchanges. They generate easy prepaid shipping labels to send back any ill-fitting frames.
I’ve thankfully not needed this fallback yet but it‘s comforting they stand so firmly behind products. Know that if the size or style doesn’t perfectly fit your needs upon arrival, fuss free corrections happen available.
How do I use insurance benefits online?
During checkout, Glasses.com conveniently allows entering vision insurance details to tap into any optical eyewear coverage. They’ll submit and handle all claim paperwork directly with your designated carrier.
Applicable discounts automatically display after submitting policy numbers, names, etc. I received 20-30% off designer frames by applying my UnitedHealthcare and Aetna plans which saved me a small fortune!
Can sunglasses or contacts get purchased online too?
Glasses.com exclusively sells prescription eyeglasses and does not offer contacts. But they do retail prescription sunglasses from brands like Ray-Ban, Oakley and Maui Jim.
Simply filter for tinted lenses when shopping frame styles to preview sunwear options. Any optical frame also works made into sunglasses by adding tinting.
I suggest gray, brown or copper gradients for uv eye protection that don‘t appear too dark behind. Polarization also cuts glare ideal for driving and outdoor activities.
After several overwhelmingly positive experiences now procuring glasses online through Glasses.com, I enthusiastically vouch for their services to friends needing eyewear. The quality, value and convenience surpass local eye doctors and national optical chains hands down.
Between designer looks at steep discounts and seamless insurance coordination, I’ve saved hundreds of dollars over my lifetime stuck with stale neighborhood sellers. And the accuracy of finished lenses consistently impresses my discerning eye.
While lack of try ons or in-person adjustments may deter some customers, Glasses.com overcomes online limitations through:
- Generous fit exchanges
- Virtual accessory previewing
- Speedy fulfillment and delivery
- Responsive customer service
Ultimately for those open to modem ecommerce solutions, this innovative prescription eyewear disruptor checks all boxes delivering meticulous vision care straight to your door. I eagerly look forward to ordering all future glasses exclusively online.
