Even as the number of people with medical coverage rises, most policies still exclude the cost of visual care. For years this branch of medical care was dominated by ophthalmologists or optometrists, who also provided a limited selection of frames and lenses. Today, Internet shopping has completely altered that dynamic. Buying online prescription glasses has become an increasingly accepted and popular practice.
This trend is a result of lower costs and better selection, but does not eliminate the need for professional screening. People who have struggled against visual impairment realize that exams should be performed regularly to ensure continuing good eyesight. Optometrists and other professionals are trained to recognize potentially serious conditions, and prescribe contact lenses or glasses to correct common problems.
When an optometrist or ophthalmologist writes a prescription, the patient is entitled to a copy. Federal laws enacted over the past forty years guarantee consumers the right to purchase glasses and contacts from any reputable optical supplier, including those having a primary presence on line. Although some customers still prefer traditional methods of ordering and fitting, others have been quick to take advantage.
There have been immediate benefits for the nearly two million consumers who chose to order their lenses via the Internet during the past year. The selection is larger than that available in a brick-and-mortar store, with styles that accommodate nearly every taste, and prices that are usually discounted. The number of vision retailers on line has skyrocketed, making shopping simpler and faster than ever before.
Although the new marketplace brings eyeglass and contact lens sales into the 21st century, there are some guidelines for consumers regarding potential problems with the quality and safety of materials. While writing a prescription usually requires authorization, grinding and fitting lenses does not. There are specific facial measurements for frames that must be followed to ensure comfortable wear, and consumers who disregard them may be disappointed.
To assist in that process, some sites offer virtual fitting rooms designed to produce accurate results. Completing an eye exam is only the first step. It must be followed by taking measurements that detail variations in eye spacing, facial width, individual optic centering, and other data necessary for a safe and comfortable fit. Without that information, poorly measured products may need to be returned.
The biggest caveat for consumers regards inferior materials and unsafe glass, especially in optical wear that is priced far below market values. There are few regulatory controls over manufacturers and sellers of glasses, which may not always meet all optical safety standards. Extras like lens coatings may be of substandard quality, and some features may be omitted altogether, with little consumer recourse.
While the costs of buying eye-wear on line are definitely lower, the practice may not be a practical alternative for those with complex vision problems. For others, these purchases should be made carefully, and final decisions based on careful measurements as well as current fashion trends. Unlike an accessory taken from the closet, vision is important to everything, and corrective lenses are more than a casual purchase.
This trend is a result of lower costs and better selection, but does not eliminate the need for professional screening. People who have struggled against visual impairment realize that exams should be performed regularly to ensure continuing good eyesight. Optometrists and other professionals are trained to recognize potentially serious conditions, and prescribe contact lenses or glasses to correct common problems.
When an optometrist or ophthalmologist writes a prescription, the patient is entitled to a copy. Federal laws enacted over the past forty years guarantee consumers the right to purchase glasses and contacts from any reputable optical supplier, including those having a primary presence on line. Although some customers still prefer traditional methods of ordering and fitting, others have been quick to take advantage.
There have been immediate benefits for the nearly two million consumers who chose to order their lenses via the Internet during the past year. The selection is larger than that available in a brick-and-mortar store, with styles that accommodate nearly every taste, and prices that are usually discounted. The number of vision retailers on line has skyrocketed, making shopping simpler and faster than ever before.
Although the new marketplace brings eyeglass and contact lens sales into the 21st century, there are some guidelines for consumers regarding potential problems with the quality and safety of materials. While writing a prescription usually requires authorization, grinding and fitting lenses does not. There are specific facial measurements for frames that must be followed to ensure comfortable wear, and consumers who disregard them may be disappointed.
To assist in that process, some sites offer virtual fitting rooms designed to produce accurate results. Completing an eye exam is only the first step. It must be followed by taking measurements that detail variations in eye spacing, facial width, individual optic centering, and other data necessary for a safe and comfortable fit. Without that information, poorly measured products may need to be returned.
The biggest caveat for consumers regards inferior materials and unsafe glass, especially in optical wear that is priced far below market values. There are few regulatory controls over manufacturers and sellers of glasses, which may not always meet all optical safety standards. Extras like lens coatings may be of substandard quality, and some features may be omitted altogether, with little consumer recourse.
While the costs of buying eye-wear on line are definitely lower, the practice may not be a practical alternative for those with complex vision problems. For others, these purchases should be made carefully, and final decisions based on careful measurements as well as current fashion trends. Unlike an accessory taken from the closet, vision is important to everything, and corrective lenses are more than a casual purchase.
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