If you’re anything like me, you might hate buying glasses instore. We have no choice but to have eye tests at an opticians, unless you’re able to get an at-home eye test, but I hate the way the pushy sales assistants stalk you inside the store, when trying to try on different frames.
Eye tests are so very important for our health, but once you have your prescription for glasses, you can use your prescription to purchase glasses online. If the idea of buying glasses online is a little offputting, I have some tips to help you choose reading glasses online.
Start With a Recent Eye Test and Know Your Prescription
You need to know your personal prescription, before buying reading glasses. Some retailers, like Amazon, allow you to buy general reading glasses, with a set number of dioptres, but they won’t allow you to customize the lenses, especially if you have a different prescription for each eye.
When you get your eye test, you will get your prescription given to you, and you need to check your prescription includes your PD (pupillary distance) or any special notes, as you’ll need to input these details when ordering reading glasses online.
For your new reading glasses, you need to compare options, like the lens material and coatings, and filter by frame styles that suit your face shape. Always check the bridge width, the temple length, and lens height, so you don’t have issues with slipping or eye strain.
Decide If You Need Single Vision or Multifocal Readers
Start by matching lens designs to your visual needs. If you mainly read books, labels or your phone at one difference, single vision lenses are probably best, because they’re simple, sharp and easy to adapt to.
If you have to shift between looking near and far, for tasks like reading, typing, cooking or checking your dashboard, multifocal lenses can save you from having to swap between different pairs of glasses.
Pick the Right Frame Size So They Do Not Slide or Pinch
Your frames are so important when ordering glasses online. You need to start with your lens width measurement on a pair you already own, and fits, and match it closely to keep the optical center aligned and prevent pressure on your temples.
Check the bridge width too, if it’s too wide, it’ll slide constantly, but if it’s too narrow, it’ll pinch and be uncomfortable.
You also need to think about the temple length. Temples that are a short ride up, and squeeze behind your ears, while long ones will slip down your nose.
Look for frames with adjustable nose pads, if you’re between sizes, since small and easy tweaks will lift the frame, and stop drifting.
Also check the frame material options, lightweight titanium can reduce pressure, while thicker acetate may feel steadier.
Choose a frame shape that follow your cheekbones, and brow line, so the frames don’t rub or pop forward when you smile or laugh.
Many online glasses retailers give you an option where you can upload a selfie photo, and virtually try the frames on, so you can get an idea if a pair of glasses suits your face shape, and you get an idea if the frames are too big/small for your face.
Consider Blue Light Filtering If You Use Screens Often
Once you’ve chosen frames you like, and you know the size will fit perfectly, without sliding or pinching, it’s time to think about your lenses.
Think about what you’ll use the reading glasses for day-to-day. If you spend hours on a phone, tablet or computer, long screen time can leave your eyes feeling gritty, tired or unfocused, thanks to “digital fatigue”.
If you read emails, scroll or edit documents online, blue light filtering lenses are a great idea. They don’t fix every cause of eye strain, but they do reduce harsh glare, and help you stay comfortable under bright displays and LED lighting.
Many retailers offer blue light lens filters as a free add-on, but make sure you look for lenses that specifically list blue light reduction, or anti-reflective coating, to make sure your new reading glasses will help against blue light issues, and reflections.