The process of purchasing glasses seems to be an inevitable daunting task, as prescription eyewear can have shoppers forking over hundreds of dollars.

With no overhead charges, such as rent for a brick-and-mortar store or licensing fees for designer frames, online glasses websites are alleviating customers’ fears (and pockets) by providing affordable, high quality eyewear options.

First here are the tips to “what you need to know before purchasing gasses online”:

1.       Get your prescription (RX) from a doctor or eye care professional

a.       Please note that in the USA it is federal law that a prescription must be given to you at the conclusion of an eye examination.

b.      A prescription provides 39DollarGlasses.com with your doctor’s recommendation for clear and comfortable vision. The numbers on your prescription tell 39DollarGlasses.com how strong the glasses need to be.

c.       For more information on perscriptions visit 39DollarGlasses prescription information.

2.       Measure your Pupillary Distance (PD)

a.       Your pupillary distance, or PD, is the distance between the centers of your pupils in millimeters (mm). This measurement is necessary to ensure the correct positioning of your lenses within the frame you have chosen.

b.      Steps to measure PD:

i.      Place a millimeter ruler on the bridge of your nose.

ii.      Have a friend face you about arms length away.

iii.      Have your friend measure the distance between the center of your pupils (the black dots in the middle of your eyes).

iv.      Or you can do it yourself simply by looking in the mirror. If you need your glasses on to do this, you can draw dots on the lenses where your pupils are (using a magic marker or highlighter); then take the glasses off and measure the distance between them.

3.       Review websites’ warranty policies

a.       39DollarGlasses.com offers a 100% Worry-Free Guarantee (certain lenses excluded*).

b.      For more information please visit 39DollarGlasses Warranty Page.

This is an array of sites. The Frugal Diva does not wear glasses (except sunglasses when she needs to travel incognito) so please let me know if you have any preferences among the following options.

39DollarGlasses.com

39DollarGlasses.com is a leading online optical store that offers quality prescription eyewear at great affordable prices (prices range from $39 – $150). Since 2000, the company has sold prescription glasses and sunglasses, reading glasses, bifocals, progressives, and sunglasses to men, women and children all over the world. With high quality materials, a knowledgeable customer service team, and a quick turnaround time, 39DollarGlasses makes it easy to get great eyewear at an amazingly low price. Also, every pair of lenses is custom crafted in the company’s world-class facilities in Long Island, New York. For more information, please visit: www.39dollarglasses.com.

Warby Parker

Warby Parker is an vintage-inspired prescription eyeglasses e-tailer (prices range from $95 – $350). By circumventing traditional channels, designing glasses in-house, and engaging with customers directly, and offering at Home Try-On Program, Warby Parker was able to provide high-quality, better-looking prescription eyewear to online shoppers. For more information, please visit: www.warbyparker.com.

Coastal.com

Coastal.com is an online retailer of eyewear products (prices range from $69 – $200).  Established in 2000, the Coastal.com family of brands offers an extensive, in stock selection of prescription eyewear, contact lenses and sunglasses. Coastal.com’s vision is to make the eyeglasses shopping process simple.  For more information, please visit www.coastal.com.