Andreacurry

An advantage of going to a traditional optical store is that an optician can walk you through the process. For one thing, you don't need to leave your house.

The purchasing of glasses on the net has not become popular. I believe this is correct because there are purchaser myths about the online ordering of spectacles. Some believe that quality of online glasses is low, the fitting of glasses is not possible online, and that fitting is usually a necessary "face to face" procedure – however I haven't found these issues to be true.

Purchasing eyeglasses on the internet looks daunting at first. If you're like me, purchasing and fitting prescription glasses always appeared like a complex procedure better left to professionals. The truth is, if you know your prescription and have your existing rx glasses handy, it is really fairly simple to get spectacles online.

You have to think about particular concerns when you buy glasses online, because every pair of glasses is a custom-made item. Not only are there different designs and materials of both frames and lenses and different lens treatments, but everybody's head and eyes are different, too. To avoid troubles, follow these tips!

The Prescription

Yes, you will need an eyeglass prescription to order your new eyeglasses – it's your right to get a copy of your prescription when you have an eye exam.

Depending on what sort of glasses you're getting, you will have to do a bit of simple math to those figures to guarantee you receive the proper lenses. Don't try to order eyeglasses if you don't provide an eyeglass prescription – it is impossible to simply guess at your appropriate prescription – don't even try.

Remember, all eyeglass prescriptions will contain written values for "Dist" (your required distance correction), and "Add" (your needed reading correction). These will usually be recognized for each eye (R and L) with a + or – number. These are, , your most important prescription numbers.

You'll see on your prescription the terms, "Cyl" and "Axis". If there are written numbers in those blanks, it means you have an astigmatism, an irregularity in the shape of the eye, which causes shape distortion in the viewed image. If instead, you have "sph" written in these blanks, this means simply that you don't have an astigmatism, and that no correction is required.

Hopefully, your prescription will contain a written number for "PD" (pupillary distance). It's used to position the optical center of the lens so that you can have the ability to easily see through the lens, and to center the correction in front of the pupil of your eye, in the spectacles. This measurement is essential to the proper fit of your eyeglasses, and to position the glasses properly on your face. The simplest method, which is to have your prescribing optometrist or an optician take the measurement for you.

Your prescription may contain a written figure for "BCVA" (best corrected visual acuity). Even though you won't be using this value in the ordering of your glasses, it is an intriguing bit of information, none the less – essentially, it's an indication of the degree of total correction which may be created by a new eyeglasses.

What is your Style?

If you want to purchase prescription specs, know what kind of eyeglasses you need based on individual tastes.

It's important to remember that the prescription strength and weight of your lens also play into whether your glasses will be comfy and look good. A knowledgeable optician also can let you know about thinner, lighter lenses that will make your spectacles more appealing and more comfortable, especially if you have a strong prescription.

The way that glasses fit your face and head is another important issue. If your glasses are too small, they will be uncomfortable to wear; they can pinch the sides of your head and leave red marks on your temples. When you have a nice oval face, you're in luck, most any pair will look on you. If you have strong, angular features, a rounded or rimless pair will look god on you. If you have a very round face, choose a rectangular or hexagonal pair of glasses.

If you just want a basic pair of professional eyeglasses, go with titanium rimless.

Take into account practical things like frame fit, lens color, bi-focal strength or single lens strength when making your selection. Most online eyewear providers feature a catalog that shows the frames they offer in detail.

If you only wear eyeglasses occasionally (maybe as a supplement to contact lenses), or are just buying a pair of Rx sunglasses that will not be worn every waking hour, you might choose to cut costs by skipping on the extras. If you're buying a pair for your accident-prone child, skimping on the extras might not be such a bad idea either.

Ensure you comprehend the purchasing directions of the website you are using – and if you have a question, don't be afraid to either call or email them for clarification. If you are uncomfortable with the ordering procedure, and you request that you fax your prescription, and let them fill out your order form, be prepared for a NO answer – the reason why their costs are so low is that they are not investing the time it could take to work from the prescription. If you have an especially complex prescription, you'll probably do well to prevent a web-based supplier – and in fact, they might well suggest that you look elsewhere – online companies focus on the ordinary, and that is what they do best. When you order online, you must make each decision on your own, and it can seem overwhelming. If you decide that buying glasses online is for you, equipping yourself with as much info as possible beforehand can help you make the most out of the experience.