With more and more people shopping online to get their household necessities, it is not surprising that people would get their medical supplies online as well. Buying glasses online seems like a good idea at first because the price is so good, but how can this sometimes become a waste of time, energy and money?
Recent testing on the quality of lenses used by online manufactures showed that the lenses shattered, or broke, far too easily. This is disturbing because glasses are suppose to afford a certain level of protection to the wearer. Additionally, online manufactures have no warranties and no real return policies. Therefore if it breaks your stuck with it. On the other hand, when you order glasses from a reputable eye care practice or big box retailer those lenses have been tested for quality.
Returns don’t just happen because of damage. Another reason why glasses get returned has to do with the accuracy of the prescription and the magnitude of the prescription. Within the first 90 days of buying glasses a doctor can make a change on your script and the optical will then be required to remake your glasses without incurring additional charges to the patient. This becomes really important for individuals whose vision is changing due to eye diseases and or other eye condition. Screening for eye diseases and preventing buying glasses when not indicated is an important part of the eye examination process. Also, if the glasses have a high script, often an additional visit is required to tweak the glasses. Of course tweaking involves the optical making some changes. No tweaking and changes are possible with the online product, so again, good luck getting good service online.
Optical Chains have adapted to the online presence and competition by offering products that will compete at prices that are quite similar. The difference is now in the options that you choose. The online retailers typically do not have the same amount of good options for glasses. Sure if you have a small script that is not important, but for higher myopes and hyperopes or individuals with bifocals the extra options will reduce eye fatigue and likely be a lot thinner.
Again, buying online is great and I buy plenty of stuff online too. However, you have to be more cautious where your health is concerned.