What You Must Know Before Buying Eyeglasses Online

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published 19 June 2018

If you wear prescription glasses, you know the drill: You go in for an eye exam at an eyewear retail chain, such as America's Best or MyEyeDr., and the optometrist on duty breaks the news that you need a new prescription. Move from the exam room to the storefront, and you'll get a rundown of the pricey frame and lens options available for purchase. Are you ready to drop several hundred dollars on the spot for a new pair of glasses?

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Indeed, factors such as cost, convenience, and broader selection are luring more four-eyed consumers online. Last year, an estimated 3.2 million pairs of prescription glasses were purchased on the internet, up from 2.9 million in 2016, according to the Vision Council's 2017 Internet Influence Report. Shoppers can search multiple online retailers and eyewear brands to compare prices from the comfort of their couch without the pressure of making an expensive decision right after an eye exam.

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Many online-only eyewear retailers are considered out-of-network providers by vision insurance plans. If your plan offers out-of-network benefits, you'll initially have to pay out of pocket for your glasses online and then submit your receipts to your insurer for a partial reimbursement (out-of-pocket costs are typically greater when you choose an out-of-network provider). That's the case with popular e-retailers such as EyeBuyDirect.com, eyeglasses.com, FramesDirect.com, GlassesUSA.com and ZenniOptical.com.

If your vision insurance doesn't offer out-of-network benefits, a flexible spending account (FSA) or a health savings account (HSA) through your employer can help to defray some of the cost of your new glasses by letting you pay with pretax money. With this option, you'll also have to pay up front and then submit your receipts to your FSA or HSA provider for reimbursement from your self-funded account.

"When prescription glasses are sent directly to the patient, the retailer knows the prescription will not be verified for accuracy, optical center positioning, bifocal or progressive vertical height measurement, and, most importantly, safety of frame and lens materials," says Christopher J. Quinn, an optometrist and president of the American Optometric Association (AOA). In a 2011 study conducted by the AOA, 154 pairs of prescription glasses purchased from online vendors were tested for accuracy, and nearly half failed to meet optical requirements.

That's why consumers who purchase prescription eyeglasses online should provide as much information as possible to ensure their order is correct. "This means asking your doctor for a copy of the prescription," says Julie Ramhold, a consumer analyst for DealNews.com. You'll also need to know the proper size frame for your face, your pupillary distance, and details on any special lenses and coatings you need. "When you're in a doctor's office -- where they already know this information -- it can seem easier to just go with what they recommend. However, you could end up paying a lot more," she adds.

If after receiving your new prescription glasses you suspect something is amiss, "take them back to your prescribing doctor to have them verify the lenses are correct," Ramhold says. If there is a problem, ask your doctor for a written explanation that you can provide to the company from which you purchased your glasses. (You may be charged for the follow-up doctor's visit.) "Hopefully, the proof will be enough for the company to remake the lenses at no extra charge," Ramhold says.

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Browne Taylor joined Kiplinger in 2011 and was a channel editor for Kiplinger.com covering living and family finance topics. She previously worked at the Washington Post as a Web producer in the Style section and prior to that covered the Jobs, Cars and Real Estate sections. She earned a BA in journalism from Howard University in Washington, D.C. She is Director of Member Services, at the National Association of Home Builders.