You’ve seen the ads and heard the pitch: Affordable, stylish glasses delivered right to your door. Online glasses retailers have built their reputation on convenience and price. But what if that convenience comes at a cost you can’t see at first? When it comes to your eyewear, the difference between “close enough” and your perfect fit is in the details you get from our team at Danville Optometric Group.
When you buy online, you might be getting a product that doesn’t include all your personalized information, which can affect your comfort and the long-term health of your eyes.
Our in-person team of knowledgeable professionals wants to peel back the curtain and show you what popular online retailers may not discuss about their lenses.
The Allure of Online Glasses and What to Consider
The appeal of ordering glasses from your couch is undeniable. A few clicks, a prescription upload, and a package arrives at your home. This process seems simple, but it skips several steps that are part of creating functional, comfortable eyewear.
Your prescription is more than just a set of numbers. It’s the starting point for a custom piece of medical equipment, specific measurements relative to that equipment (frames), and a comprehensive eye exam can help provide the full picture. Without a professional to oversee the creation and fitting, you may not get the visual clarity and comfort you were expecting when you bought the glasses.
A Closer Look at Lens Quality and Technology
Digital Precision vs. Mass Production
Lenses are created using precise digital mapping to produce a unique lens for your prescription, with knowledge of how the frame sits on your face. This can mean sharper, clearer vision across the entire lens.
In contrast, some lenses are manufactured to a 1-size-fits-all standard rather than customized to an individual. They may not account for the specific optical needs of your eyes, so even though your prescription numbers are met, the visual experience might feel completely different.
Coatings and Materials
Lens coatings also play a significant role. An anti-reflective coating can reduce glare from screens and headlights, helping some people manage discomfort from digital eye strain. Similarly, quality lenses often include UV protection and other filters (like blue light) to shield your eyes from harmful rays, while a durable scratch-resistant coating protects your investment. The quality of these coatings can vary, with some smudging easily or wearing away quickly.
The material of the lens itself also affects your experience. Different materials can make your glasses thinner, lighter, and more impact-resistant. A member of our team has the experience to recommend a material that fits your lifestyle and prescription needs.
Why Custom Measurements Matter for Your Vision
Pupillary, Tilt, Form, Curvature, and Vertex Distance
When you order online, you might be asked to measure your pupillary distance (PD), the space between your pupils. This is a critical measurement, but it’s only 1 piece of the puzzle. Your optometry team can also measure the optical center height, which is how high or low the clearest part of the lens should sit in front of your pupil.
Other measurements, like the distance from the backside of the lens to your cornea, the tilt of the frame on your face, and its curve, are also important. These details help the prescription sit exactly where you need it. These measurements require special instruments.
Modern Lenses Need Precision
These precise measurements are especially important for modern lenses like progressives and the latest digital aspheric single vision lenses. If the optical center is off by even a millimeter, you might find yourself tilting your head to find the “sweet spot” for reading. For those with high prescriptions or those who need myopia control in Danville, precision becomes increasingly important. There are 2000 different lens designs available at your doctors offices and labs. Online (Warby Parker/Zenni) and big box stores such as Costco usually use one type, typically being whatever is the lowest cost and cheapest quality.
The Gaps in the Online Purchase Process
When you handle the eyewear process on your own, you miss out on the professional experience that can catch potential issues. You might run into common problems that are difficult to solve alone, such as:
- It can be difficult to verify the accuracy of the lenses without professional equipment.
- The frames arrive without any professional adjustments, which can cause them to slip down your nose, sit uncomfortably, or pinch your ears.
- You’re limited to one or two generic lens designs, which don’t account for the unique needs of different prescriptions, lifestyles, or eye conditions.
- Online retailers don’t disclose which lens design they use—you simply receive whichever generic option they stock, typically the lowest-cost version.
- If you experience headaches or blurry vision, you might blame your prescription when the problem is actually the fit or manufacturing of the glasses.
- Return policies can help with a refund, but they don’t solve the underlying optical issues that caused the discomfort.
- Unlike frames purchased in-office (which include complimentary adjustments), online purchases require separate appointments for fitting and adjustments—adding time and cost.
Even with perfectly made lenses, there is often an adjustment period for new glasses, which is much harder to navigate without professional support.
The Value of an Optometry Team for Your Eyewear
Accurate Measurements and Customization
Our team uses professional equipment to capture all the necessary measurements. This data helps with true lens customization, meaning the eye doctor can recommend specific lens designs and coatings based on your daily activities, whether you spend all day on a computer or need glasses for driving at night.
Professional Fitting
Once your glasses are ready, a trained optician can adjust them to fit the unique contours of your face and help make sure that you are seeing through the right part of the lens. Our team also verifies that the lenses are exactly what the eye doctor prescribed before you take them home.
Long-Term Support
If your glasses ever feel loose or you have questions, you have a professional resource to turn to for adjustments and experienced advice. The ongoing relationship between you and your eye care team means you can feel confident in your vision.
Your Vision Is Important to Us
At Danville Optometric Group, the focus is on professional care that helps your glasses work as they should: Because your vision is too important for guesswork. If you’re in the Danville, California, area, we’d love to help you find your prescription and discover your next pair of glasses. Schedule your eye exam and consultation today.
