3 Reasons Why You Should Never Buy Cheap Glasses Online (2024)

When you’re shopping for anew pair of glassesat your optometrist’s office, it’s understandable to get a bit of sticker shock. Quality glasses can cost hundreds of dollars, even without specialty add-ons like lens coatings. Buying a cheap pair of glasses online can be a tempting solution to get the eyewear you need–but cheap glasses are far from a bargain. Here’s what you need to know about the risks of buying glasses online.

LOW-QUALITY LENSES CAN HARM YOUR EYES

Cheap glasses are cheap for a reason. The manufacturers cut costs everywhere they can, including the lenses that help you see. Most online retailers who sell cheap prescription glasses make the lenses in their own manufacturing facilities rather than a wholesale optical laboratory that specializes in providing lenses to optometrists.Poor-quality or poorly-matched lenses can actually harm your vision and cause a number of eye issues, likeglaucomaandcataracts.

IT’S UNLIKELY THEY WILL FIT CORRECTLY

It’s very unlikely to select a pair of online prescription glasses that will fit your unique face shape and size. Ill-fitting glasses are not only a constant annoyance; they can also impact your vision. Your eye doctor can take your face measurements and help you choose frames that will not slide down or fall off. With an online retailer, you might buy and return several pairs and still not find a pair that fit correctly.

CHEAP PLASTICS CAN IRRITATE YOUR EYES AND SKIN

Cheap glasses are usually made from low-grade materials that can cause skin irritation over time. Sure, they might be able to squeak past FDA regulations, but putting something so cheap in such close proximity to your eyes is still a huge risk. Cheap metal frames often contain nickel alloys that can cause skin irritation or discolor your skin. More alarmingly, cheap eyeglass frames and cheap sunglasses are frequently recalled and removed from the market because they contain lead paint or other toxic substances.

NEED A RALEIGH OPHTHALMOLOGY APPOINTMENT? CALL RALEIGH EYE CENTER

You only get one pair of eyes in this lifetime, so invest in them like you would anything else that’s irreplaceable! Our Raleigh ophthalmology clinic can give you a comprehensive eye exam and prescribe glasses that fit securely. If you are looking for a Raleigh optometrist,call Raleigh Eye Center today.

 3 Reasons Why You Should Never Buy Cheap Glasses Online (2024)

FAQs

 3 Reasons Why You Should Never Buy Cheap Glasses Online? ›

Prescription mishaps are more common when buying your glasses online than from an optical store. The quality of glasses purchased online may also be an issue. You can't tell how sturdy they are until they come in the mail. Often, the low price may be the result of poor materials.

Why shouldn't you buy glasses online? ›

Prescription mishaps are more common when buying your glasses online than from an optical store. The quality of glasses purchased online may also be an issue. You can't tell how sturdy they are until they come in the mail. Often, the low price may be the result of poor materials.

What are the problems with buying glasses online? ›

Reasons Not to Buy Glasses Online

Some experts say it's like trying to cut your own hair. It may be difficult to return the glasses. A large study found about half the online glasses had the wrong prescription or other problems. An incorrect prescription may give you blurred vision or make your eyes feel uncomfortable.

What are the disadvantages of cheap glasses? ›

Why You Should Never Settle For Cheap Eyeglasses
  • CHEAP EYEGLASSES COME WITH CHEAP LENSES. Cheap eyeglasses are manufactured with very little quality control. ...
  • CHEAP EYEGLASSES CAN'T CORRECT YOUR UNIQUE VISION PROBLEMS. ...
  • THEY WON'T FIT YOUR FACE CORRECTLY. ...
  • THEY WON'T PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION FOR YOUR EYES.

Is it safe to buy cheap glasses? ›

Cheap metal frames often contain nickel alloys that can cause skin irritation; others can discolor your skin. Also (and more disturbing), cheap eyeglass frames and cheap sunglasses occasionally are recalled and removed from the market because they contain lead paint or other toxic substances.

Why are glasses more expensive in store than online? ›

Most, if not all, online vendors price their glasses at a lower price than actual retail shops do. And you might've heard the reason for this, but it's primarily because online vendors tend to cut out the middleman in the supply chain.

Are fake glasses bad for you? ›

Poor Quality Materials

Fake sunglasses often cut corners when it comes to quality and design. They may have subpar plastics and coatings that distort vision. These distortions can cause eyestrain, headaches, and dizziness, especially during prolonged wear.

Do expensive glasses make a difference? ›

Cheaper lenses will give you the clarity of vision you require, but more expensive ones will give you a more distinctive pair of glasses, with personalized features. Customized features like lens color, anti-reflective coating, scratch-resistant, polarized, photochromic, etc.

What is the biggest problem with cheap sunglasses? ›

Exposure to certain wavelengths of light can damage several parts of your eye and lead to long-term problems. In fact, wearing cheap sunglasses that do not have good light filters can cause worse damage to your eyes over time.

Can cheap glasses cause headaches? ›

Yes, glasses can give you a headache due to poorly fitted frames, or from a new or incorrect prescription.

Is there a difference between cheap and expensive reading glasses? ›

The primary difference is in the quality of the materials. More expensive reading glasses will be made with better, higher quality materials. The lenses may be scratch resistant and fit the frame better. They may be made out of thinner and lighter materials.

What to avoid when buying glasses? ›

If the arms are too short, they may not sit securely over your ears. And if the frames are too wide or narrow, they can distort vision and look disproportionate to your face. In essence, size isn't just about comfort; it can also impact the functionality of your eyewear.

Why are in store glasses so expensive? ›

Retail Markup

If you buy from a brick-and-mortar optical retailer, the price may include additional expenses for rent, utilities, employee salaries, and more. When you combine these markups with brand premiums and marketing expenses, you can get a pretty expensive pair of glasses.

Is it safe to try on glasses online? ›

While it's safe to order glasses online, getting a proper fit is essential so that your frames are doing their job. Virtual try-on has made it possible to see how you'll look in your new frames, but an in-person fitting is required for the best results.

Can I order glasses online if I have my prescription? ›

Is It Ok to Get Prescription Glasses Online? Yes! With an accurate prescription and pupillary distance, a pair of prescription glasses ordered online are the same as glasses you'd buy in a store.

How accurate are online glasses prescriptions? ›

QUALITY ASSURANCE. According to The American Optometric Association, glasses ordered online have a 44.8% of error. This means that almost half of the glasses ordered online do not match the customer's prescription, the measurements are off, or the lenses do not meet the required safety impact rating.

Is it OK to order kids glasses online? ›

Is It OK To Buy Kids Glasses Online? Online glasses are often the same ones you'd find in a store or at your doctor's office, so they're certainly safe for your child.

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