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How to Buy Cheap Eyeglasses

I’ve been wearing eyeglasses for 20 years. My two kids and my husband also wear glasses. So I’ve learned a thing or two about how to buy cheap eyeglasses.

Read on to learn how you, too, can spend less on your eye wear without sacrificing style or quality.  

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How to buy cheap eyeglasses in 4 steps

Your first order of business is to go to a board-certified Ophthalmologist and get an eye exam. If the doc’s office also sells glasses, they’re likely to push you into the retail side of the operation right away.

1. Get your prescription

Do not set foot in there without getting a written copy of your prescription. When they hand it to you, take a photo with your phone and put the original someplace safe. (Someplace safe is not crumpled at the bottom of your giant tote bag.)

2. Shop in store

Woman tries on eye wear as she learns how to buy cheap eyeglasses.
Source: Envato.

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With your prescription in hand, you can peruse the glasses your doc’s office has. It’s usually most efficient to lean towards frames that are similar to your favorite pair of sunglasses. (If you don’t have a favorite pair, see our guide to buying sunglasses asap.) You can also try on every frame in the store if you need to. Note which you like best in terms of:

  • Shape: Rectangle, oval, browline, aviator, square, round, horn, etc.
  • Color
  • Material
  • Frame thickness and weight

If you find a pair that’s utterly and completely perfect, write down the brand, style, and price. Do not buy them. You need to do some price-shopping first.

3. Shop the brick-and-mortar stores

At this point, you have a list of eyeglass features you like and/or you have a brand name and style that you love.

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Now comes the fun part. Walk into every discount eyeglass retailer around and repeat the process. We’re talking Walmart, Lenscrafters, Sam’s Club, and Costco.

Shopping in physical stores gives you the advantage of being able to try the glasses on. In that process, you’ll learn more about what you like and how those styles are priced. You’re also likely to find some good eyeglasses that are cheaper than what you saw in the doc’s office. But don’t buy yet — there’s more work to do.

4. Shop the online eyeglass retailers  

Now it’s time to put your online research skills to work. Hit up the online eyeglass shops. By now, you should know enough about your tastes to filter search results down pretty fast. You can then use virtual try-on tools to confirm a prospective style suits you.

You might be nervous about buying prescription eyeglasses online, and that’s understandable. For what it’s worth, I’ve bought stylish eyeglasses from at least four different online discounters and never had a bad experience.

The good news here is that you’ve probably already found your perfect frame. So your online mission is limited to finding the lowest price on one particular style. That’s why you save the online shopping for last — by the time you’re in this phase of the process, it helps to know exactly what you want. That lowers the stress of choosing a frame style without physically trying it on.

FAQs on buying eyeglasses online

For those of you who are new to buying discount eyeglasses online, here are some FAQs.

Is it safe to buy prescription eye wear online?

Yes, it is safe to buy prescription eyewear online. Read the company’s return policy and customer reviews first. If all looks good on those fronts, go for it. Better go for a trusted credible company like goodr.

How do I know if the frames will fit my face?

Most online retailers have a virtual try-on feature where you can upload a photo of yourself and try on different frames virtually. Also, check the frame measurements on any prospective style. Compare those measurements to your old glasses or even a pair of summer or winter sunglasses, to ensure the scale is right for your face.

Can I return or exchange my eye wear if I don’t like it?

Yes, most online retailers have a return or exchange policy. Read it and understand the terms before you buy.

How long does it take to receive my eye wear?

In my experience, it takes about two weeks to receive prescription eye wear that you ordered online. This can vary based on the retailer and the shipping method you choose. You usually have the option to upgrade to expedited shipping if you need the glasses right away.

Why are glasses in the stores so much more expensive than glasses online?

You’re paying for overhead like rent for the store, wages for the people working the counter, etc., plus massive markups. Often, those stores make far more on eyeglass sales than they do on eye exams.

This post was fully rewritten in 2023.

Beth

Monday 23rd of August 2010

Ditto to Zenni. I bought my glasses there for like 80$ I have an awful prescription ( coke bottles) and I ordered half frames. I was informed that my eyes are to bad for those frames. They then suggested 2 alternatives that would work. I haven't worn glasses in public since middle school, but I have gotten so many compliments on how cute and funky these frames are.

Tiffany

Saturday 8th of May 2010

ZENNIOPTICAL.COM I only purchase glasses thru them now and I save my insurance for contacts. This website is awesome. $8 glasses. The quality for the cheaper pair is ok but the $15-$20 pair is no different than my $275 pair from the Dr.'s office. You can even turn any of the glasses you choose into sunglasses, transitional, or bifocal!!!

10 Best Ways To Save Money

Thursday 29th of April 2010

I couldn't agree with you more! For many people, it's not practical to shop this way. A good example of someone who can take advantage of cheap glasses is my husband. He had laser eye surgery a few years back, and it left him with much better vision than before. He still needed glasses, however, and due to the nature of his work, they were always getting scratehd and bent. Since this essentially amounted to "disposable" frames, we got him one good $200 pair and a couple of the cheapos for when he's working in the shop. I no longer cry when they get trashed

Tim

Monday 22nd of February 2010

For me - I tried this route - and boy it was not worth the headache I am a -5.00 -1.50 and where a progressive .

I thought - boy what a deal ! But in the end - I found by supporting my local buiness I was much better off - as well as supporting those in my community with jobs . Personally - the bottom line buck is not my thing - don't get me wrong I am not loaded - but I found troubles the few times I tried - ( my Jewish nature came out ) ( I'm jewish - so I can say this !!)

The issues I had was 1- the progressives they used where so inferior ! I have worn many and felt the cheap ones I bought online - where designs that they used 5 yrs ago - outdated and horriable! Blurt - swim - and not the best optics ! I have found I only prefer these designs ( I have tried many ) but I feel best in ellispe 360 - dafinity. - and comfort 360 !

2- they tried to use crappy polycarbonate products ! Can u say headaches !

3- those that say coatings are a waste - go back to school and check out the actual science ! It is like night and day how it effects my optics ! As for that - I have learned u get what u pay for ! Nothing but issues with the cheap coatings ! Poor scratch resistance - harder to clean and just junk ! I have found I like the Alize and avamce with scotchguard as well as a few of the ziess coatings ! All these other off market coatings suck - plus with the good ones - they stand behind them - and redo them if needed ! No charge !

3- as for frames I did by my 1st pr ( now my back ups online ) actually I bought 3 - however I found that 2of the 3 where counterfits ! As well as having issues replacing them !

4- I gave learned my lesson that I am no expert and for me to try to look in tge mirror and try to measure my progressive location correctly did not work well for me ! And when I was off my only 2.5 mm - the online place pretty much said - Its your fault - ur stick with them ! I was so pussed since they first tried to switch my lenses that I wanted from the 1.74 ellispe to the 1.67 version - and then tried to pass off a regular one for the new 360 digital version that I had ordered ! If my doctor did not show me the etchings I would have never found out tgat was the issue - and I would have believe them when they said it was my fault !

Lastly - I have found that by supporting my local shops - they r much likely to help me in those 911 cases ! Such as when they broke - or I needed someone to find out if it was the glasses or my rx - the issue ! I know some cheap folks would expect others to just do this but I realize that professional knowledge is worth SO MUCH more then everything else ! I would not expect anyone to prove it for free !

So in the end --$$$$$ - should not be the deciding factor - optical quality means so much kore and most of all in today's world - supporting your local shops - to provide others jobs is as important ! It just really bothers me how $ $ - effects everyone so - and people have no issues supporting those that do not support my neighbors and community!!

In today's world - we must al. Look at the entire picture !!

smantha filey

Tuesday 3rd of July 2007

Wow! I can’t believe how much you guys are payng for glasses. I’m with Jockey on this one and always use www.goggles4u.com. You can get a pair of single vision glasses for under US$25 with a discount code - they’ve got thousands of frames to choose from and you get free worldwide shipping, free lens coatings and free tints . You even get a 15% repeat order discount. Use discount code LOOKGREAT45 for the discount.

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