In the age of e-commerce, buying glasses online has become increasingly popular due to its convenience and often lower prices. However, many opticians strongly advise against purchasing eyewear online, and there are several compelling reasons for this recommendation. Understanding the expertise that opticians and dispensing opticians bring to the table can help elucidate why professional, in-person service is often the best choice for your eye health.
The Importance of a Proper Fit
One of the most crucial aspects of eyewear is ensuring a proper fit. Glasses that do not fit correctly can cause discomfort, headaches, and even impair your vision. When you buy glasses online, you miss out on the personalised fitting service provided by a professional. An optician will take precise measurements of your face, including the distance between your pupils (pupillary distance) and the positioning of the lenses relative to your eyes. These measurements are vital for ensuring that your glasses are both comfortable and effective.
Quality and Accuracy of Lenses
Opticians ensure that the lenses in your glasses meet the exact specifications of your prescription. When ordering online, there is a risk of receiving lenses that are not precisely tailored to your needs. Inaccurate lenses can lead to eyestrain, blurred vision, and other vision problems. Furthermore, opticians can offer a range of lens options, such as anti-reflective coatings, blue light filters, and transition lenses, which may not be readily available or of the same quality online.
Expert Advice and Customisation
When you visit an optician, you benefit from their expert advice and the opportunity to try on multiple frames to find the perfect pair that suits your face shape, lifestyle, and personal style. Opticians can also customise the fit of your frames, adjusting the nose pads, temple arms, and overall frame alignment to ensure optimal comfort and performance. This level of customisation is challenging to achieve with online purchases.
Understanding the Role of a Dispensing Optician
A Dispensing Optician is a qualified professional who specialises in fitting and dispensing spectacles and contact lenses based on the prescription provided by an Optometrist or Ophthalmologist. They possess extensive knowledge of lens types, frame styles, and fitting techniques, ensuring that each patient receives eyewear that meets their specific needs.
Benefits of Seeing a Dispensing Optician
- Personalised Service:Â Dispensing Opticians provide tailored advice and fittings, ensuring that your glasses are comfortable and effective.
- Expertise:Â With their specialised training, dispensing opticians can recommend the best lenses and frames for your prescription, eye conditions and lifestyle.
- Adjustments and Repairs:Â They can make on-the-spot adjustments and repairs to your glasses, something that is impossible with online purchases.
- Follow-Up Care: Ongoing support and adjustments are readily available when you purchase your eyewear from a local optician.
Risk of Online Purchases
Buying glasses online can be risky due to the potential for receiving incorrect prescriptions, poorly fitting frames, and substandard lenses. Additionally, the lack of professional guidance and aftercare can lead to frustration and further expenses if the glasses aren’t made correctly, need to be adjusted, or replaced.
Our Flexible Approach at Eyediology
At Eyediology, we understand that sometimes you may want a particular frame or brand that we do not stock. If your choice to get lenses made elsewhere is because of this, we would like to make you aware that we can put lenses in your own frame, provided it is suitable. You may wish to purchase the frame from your source and keep the receipt in case we find it unsuitable for your prescription needs or if it doesn’t fit.
While we can’t take responsibility for frames purchased elsewhere if they break during the glazing process (a rare occurrence), if it’s a new purchase and you keep your receipt, you should be able to address the issue with the place of purchase. Despite these risks, we still prefer you get the lenses you need in an appropriate frame, regardless of where you purchased your frame.
Conclusion
While the convenience of buying glasses online is tempting, the benefits of visiting a professional optician far outweigh the potential downsides of online purchases. Opticians and dispensing opticians provide invaluable services that ensure your eyewear is precisely tailored to your needs, offering comfort, clarity, and style. For optimal eye health and the best possible vision, consider arranging an eyewear consultation with one of Eyediology’s specialists today.
