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- Instead of haggling with a store clerk for a pair of generic eyeglasses, take your prescription eyewear shopping online.
- EyeBuyDirect, Zenni, Warby Parker, Felix Gray, GlassesUSA, and Eyeconic are making it easy and affordable to find a pair of stylish prescription glasses and sunglasses.
- Some accept insurance, while all accept FSA and HSA dollars to help bring down the cost of your glasses.
- A couple also have virtual try-on options so you really never have to step into a physical store again.
I remember visiting the optometrist’s office as a kid, emerging from my eye exam to peruse the books of gorgeous glasses-donning models with furrowed brows — as if I could afford those frames then or even now as an adult.
Traditional optometrist offices and glasses retailers tend to overcharge or upsell you on their frames, but it’s easier to skirt this awkward and painfully expensive process today. Grab your prescription and go to your laptop or phone instead. There are now many online glasses retailers that can provide a seamless, convenient, and affordable shopping experience.
As a glasses-wearer, you probably often feel like you’re being punished for not having perfect vision, but these retailers will make you enjoy shopping for glasses again. They offer a large variety of frames, from the classic to the quirky; are able to accommodate for all different types of lenses; and even throw in a nice discount now and then.
Some other things to take into consideration when shopping online for glasses are whether the retailer accepts insurance and FSA/HSA dollars, offers a virtual try-on option (and if not, whether it has a generous return and exchange policy), and has kids’ styles if you want to shop for the whole family.
Learn more about the six best places to buy glasses online:
EyeBuyDirect
EyeBuyDirect/Instagram
Shop glasses at EyeBuyDirect here
Types of prescription eyewear you can shop at EyeBuyDirect:
- Eyeglasses for men ($6-$70), women ($6-$70), and children ($12-$29)
- Sunglasses for men ($19-$70) and women ($19-$70)
- Blue light glasses in EBDBlue ($25-$89) and SightRelax ($35-$99)
Why you should shop at EyeBuyDirect: Not only are EyeBuyDirect’s frames incredibly affordable, but they’re also really stylish, so you never feel like you have to decide between your wallet and your look. They’re made from metal and premium acetate and hold up well, and since they’re so inexpensive, you can get multiple pairs if you tire of wearing the same frames every day. Lenses start at just $7, and available options include single-vision distance, reading lenses, Transition lenses, progressives, and bifocals.
Virtual try-on option: No. But you can see its guides for how to pick glasses for your face shape and how to take frame measurements. It has a 14-day free exchange and return policy.
Insurance and other programs: Does not accept insurance but can provide you with the information necessary for a reimbursement. It does accept FSA and HSA dollars for prescription eyewear and sunglasses purchases.
Zenni
Zenni/Instagram
Shop glasses at Zenni here
Types of prescription eyewear you can shop at Zenni:
- Eyeglasses for men ($7-$46), women ($7-$46), and children ($10-$36)
- Sunglasses for men ($30-$46) and women ($26-$46)
- Blue light blocking can be added to any of the lenses
Why you should shop at Zenni: Similarly affordable is Zenni Optical, where it’s easy to shop by style, face shape, and collection. You can also find specialty frames such as Sports Glasses and Goggles, so the range of options is truly diverse. It’s a great place to shop for the whole family because it separates the kids section further into little kid, pre-teen, and teen categories. Its resource library of guides is robust and demystifies all your questions about the costs of wearing glasses, why you might want to consider progressives, and many more topics.
Virtual try-on option: Yes. Use Zenni’s video capture tool to get a 180-degree view of how the frames will look on you. It has a 30-day return policy where you can get 50% back directly or 100% back in store credit.
Insurance and other programs: Does not accept insurance but can provide you with the information necessary for a reimbursement. It does accept FSA and HSA dollars for prescription eyewear and sunglasses purchases.
Warby Parker
Warby Parker
Shop glasses at Warby Parker here
Types of prescription eyewear you can shop at Warby Parker:
- Eyeglasses for men ($95-$145) and women ($95-$145)
- Sunglasses for men ($95-$145) and women ($95-$145)
- Blue light blocking can be added to any of the lenses
Why you should shop at Warby Parker: All of Warby Parker’s frames cost $95 and include the price of the lens (if you get the classic, non-blue light and non-light responsive ones). This does make them pricier than other online glasses brands, but you do get the benefit of free Home Try-On, a large variety of on-trend styles to choose from, and the opportunity to visit a physical Warby Parker location near you. In addition, the company gives a pair of glasses to someone in need for every pair purchased.
Virtual try-on option: No. Instead, Warby Parker has a Home Try-On program where you can pick out five frames to have sent to your house for free. You have five days to try them and decide which to keep. Send them all back and Warby will send you a fresh pair. It has a 30-day free return and exchange policy.
Insurance and other programs: Accepts insurance from major providers, including UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Anthem, etc. If your provider is not listed, you will need to contact your insurance company directly for reimbursement. Check your vision benefits here.
Warby Parker also accepts FSA and HSA dollars for all prescription eyewear purchases.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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Source: Business Insider – feedback@businessinsider.com (Connie Chen)