How to buy Prescription Glasses Online

Buying prescription glasses online is easy. With a script from your eye doctor, have fashionable lenses and quality frames shipped directly to your door.

Who is the best online glasses retailer?

Wondering where to buy your new pair of prescription glasses online?
Find a digital retailer that makes shopping for eyewear:

EASY

Skip the crowded eyewear store at the mall. Leave behind the hassle of having to return to pick up your frames after they are made. Simply shop for the perfect frames and custom lenses from the comfort of your own home, and have your glasses conveniently delivered to you.

AFFORDABLE

Online glasses retailers make it easier to get the prescription glasses you need while sticking to your budget. Experience clear vision with affordable prescription lenses and stylish frames, without breaking the bank.

PREMIUM QUALITY

Shop with an online retailer who offers premium lenses with scratch-resistant coating and UV-blocking treatment. Upgrading to anti-glare (also known as anti-reflective), photochromic, or blue-light blocking lenses may cost extra, but will protect your eyes from damaging light.

RESPONSIBLY MANUFACTURED

A little research will reveal the online glasses retailers dedicated to responsible manufacturing of eyewear. If you want to guarantee quality manufacturing, look for an online retailer that crafts their eyewear locally right here in the USA.

FASHIONABLE

Look beyond name brands, and search for trendy and classic frames. Online retailers offer an endless selection of style in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. Choose your look, or perhaps a few, and prepare for the compliments to pour in!

How to find frames that fit your face when shopping online

Once you've found a store, it's time to pick out frames. Before you browse the thousands of frames online, find which styles will look best by measuring your face shape. You can use a digital try-on tool, or measure your face manually. Find instructions for both below.

How To Measure Your Face Shape Online

Many people are concerned about ordering online because they cannot try the glasses on first. Even with manual face measurements and style guidelines, they want to see how the frames fit their unique features. This is a valid concern. That's why some top retailers created a great way to make ordering glasses online less stressful.

Online try-on tools are the best way for you to decide on glasses. They show exactly how the glasses will look on your face, taking into account shape, material, and measurements. With this tool, you can rest assured that you've made the right selection.

Want further reassurance? Look for retailers who also offer printable, “actual-size” images their frames. This means that you can literally print out a photo of the glasses, cut them out, hold them to your face, and see how they look.

How To Measure Your Face Shape Manually

Measure and record the length your forehead, cheekbones, jawline, and face length (in inches or centimeters).

1 Start with your face length.
Record the distance from the center of your hairline to the tip of your chin.
2 Move to your forehead.
Then record the length of your forehead, measuring from the peak of one eyebrow arch to the peak of the opposite arch.
3 Next your measure cheekbones.
Start and end at the sharp bump below the outer corner of each eye to record the length of your cheekbones.
4 Finish at your jawline.
Measure your jawline from the tip of your chin to the point below your ear where your jaw angles upward. Multiply that number by two.

How To Choose Frames Based On Your Face Shape

oblong face shape

Look for frames with decorative or contrasting temples that add width to help the face appear shorter and more balanced. Choosing frames that have more depth than width and a low bridge will also help shorten the nose.

diamond face shape

Soften high and dramatic cheekbones and highlight the eyes with frames that have detailed or distinctive brow lines. Other options include rimless frames and oval or cat-eye shapes.

square face shape

Lengthen the face and soften sharp angles with narrow frame styles. Look for glasses that have more width than depth, like narrow ovals.

triangular face shape

Balance the top and bottom of the face with light, airy, minimal glasses. Look for frames that are wider at the bottom, light in color. Consider trying a rimless style.

round face shape

A round face has curved lines with the width and length in the same proportions and no angles. To make a round face appear thinner and longer, try angular narrow eyeglass frames to lengthen the face, a clear bridge that widens the eyes, and frames that are wider than they are deep, such as a rectangular shape.

heart face shape

Broaden the chin and minimize the width of the face with frames that are wider than your forehead. Choose cat-eye or clubmaster glasses with prominent end points for the most flattering look.

oval face shape

An oval face is considered to be the ideal shape because of its balanced proportions. To keep the oval's natural balance, look for eyeglass frames that are as wide as (or wider than) the broadest part of the face, or walnut-shaped frames that are not too deep or too narrow.

What type of frames are offered online?

Plastic

Plastic frames are currently the most popular, and often can be found in the most fashion forward and trendy styles. These frames are extremely durable and lightweight, and some wearers prefer the single bridge frames.

Metal

Metal frames remain the most classic choice among those shopping for glasses online. Metal frames are more delicate than other materials, but can easily be reshaped and adjusted. Some wearers find these frames more comfortable as they are lighter, and nose pads are easy to adjust.

Flexible Frames

Bendable Titanium and "Memory Metal" frames are the most durable on the market. When twisted or bent, these glasses will spring back into their original shape. The industrial-strength frames are also practically weightless. For more trendy styles, look for flexible plastic frames that flex a good amount but not nearly as much. These materials are recommended for active, outdoorsy individuals and children.

Rimless & Semi-Rimless

Rimless and semi-rimless frames have a minimalist style designed to complement the face. Hidden screws and limited hardware do not interrupt natural shape and features. These glasses are delicate, and should be handled carefully as the lenses are less protected.

How To Find Your Frame Size

How do you know if the glasses you order will fit? There are two main ways to ensure your new pair will fit perfectly and look great. If you already have a pair of glasses, you can simply order a pair the same size. If you don't currently have a pair of glasses, you use one of the many digital try-on tools to find your size.

If You Currently Have Glasses

It's easy to find your frame size on the inside of the arm or nosebridge of your current glasses.

There can be quite a few markings inside eyewear frames. To find the numbers relevant for size, look for two two-digit numbers and one three-digit number.

Note the Lens Width and Bridge Width printed on glasses are usually grouped together, and typically are separated by a square or a hyphen. See the image below.

If you've never owned glasses before

Many websites have digital try-on technology. Try uploading a headshot to digitally test out different frame shapes and colors. You can also print "actual-size" glasses at home and test them in the mirror.

Lens Width (Eye Size): number in the 40-62 millimeter range

Bridge Width (Bridge Size): number in the 14-24 millimeter range

Temple Length (Arm Length): number in the 115-150 millimeter range

How To Choose Lenses When Shopping Online For Glasses

The right lenses make a world of difference, preventing unnecessary eye strain and promoting healthy eyes. Before finalizing your eyewear purchase, research the various lens types, materials, and coatings to know which combination is best for your eyes.

VISION
CORRECTION LENSES Single Vision Rx Lenses

Single Vision Rx Lenses correct nearsightedness or farsightedness. Doctors typically prescribe either a full-time wear distance Rx or a reading-only Rx. Single vision lenses can be ordered as clear, tinted sunglasses, or photochromic lenses (clear inside and dark outside). Part-time wear sunglasses can be made with prescription tinted or polarized sun lenses.

Regular Bifocals ("Flat-Top 28")

Bifocals correct both nearsightedness and farsightedness in a single pair. "Flat-top 28" refers to regular bifocal lenses where the distance and reading portions are separated with a 28 mm line rather than one going from edge-to-edge. Full time wear lenses are clear, but wearers have the option to have part time tinted or polarized sun lenses.

Progressives ("No-Line Bifocals")

Progressive lenses also correct both nearsightedness and farsightedness in a single pair, but provide a graduated range of vision from distance to near, without a line. They are sometimes referred to as "no-line bifocals," "no-line trifocals," or "vari-focals." Full time wear lenses are often clear. Wearers also have the option of getting progressives as Transitions® lenses that are clear inside and get dark outside, as well as tinted or polarized full time sun lenses.

There are three different materials that you can have your prescription lenses made from:

Plastic

Often the most economical choice. Available for people with light prescriptions up to +/-1.75.

Polycarbonate

Shatter-resistant and recommended for children and active, outdoorsy individuals. Available for prescriptions up to +/- 4.00. (The best retailers offer polycarbonate lenses standard.)

High Index 1.67

Approximately 30% percent thinner than plastic lenses, depending on Rx strength. Recommended for people with the highest prescriptions over +/- 4.00.

LENS MATERIALS LENS COATINGS

Lens coatings protect the wearer's eyes from damaging light, and sometimes protect the lenses themselves too.

Premium Anti-Glare Coating

This treatment, also known as anti-reflective, is ideal for computer use and night driving. Anti-reflective coating works by increasing the light transmission through the lenses, providing you with the clearest, sharpest vision at all times. Anti-reflective coating also allows other people to see your eyes through the lenses, not the light reflection.

Blue Light Blocking Anti-Glare Coating

In addition to all the benefits mentioned above, these blue light blocking lenses protect your eyes from the harmful blue light emitted by digital devices such as computers, tablets, and smartphones. The anti-glare coating reduces glare, eyestrain, and even gives your lenses a more polished look.

UV Coating

Choose lenses lined with 100% UV protection on both sides to prevent light damage that can cause cataracts and lead to macular degeneration. UV coating also protects eyelids and the area of sensitive skin around your eyes from too much sun exposure, which can lead to skin cancer. (For further protection, always wear sunglasses when outdoors.)

All You Need To Order Rx Glasses Online Is Your Prescription

Once you've selected your perfect frames, all you need to order your new glasses is a prescription from your doctor and a PD measurement. Need an updated prescription? Most eye care experts recommend scheduling an eye exam every one to two years. Find a doctor near you. Have a prescription already?