Your prescription

  • Do I have a copy of my prescription? In the US, the Federal Trade Commission's Eyeglass Rule requires eye doctors to give you a copy of your eyeglass prescription after an eye exam, without charging extra or making you buy glasses from them. That means you can take it to any store.
  • Is it current? Many stores won't fill a prescription past its expiration date, so check the date before you order.
  • Do I know my pupillary distance? This is the distance between your pupils, and online stores usually ask for it. It isn't always written on the prescription, so ask for it at your exam, or ask an optician to measure it.

The lenses

  • What's included in the price? Ask whether the price covers basic lenses for your prescription, and what coatings cost extra, such as anti-reflective or blue-light filters.
  • Which lens material suits my prescription? Stronger prescriptions often benefit from thinner, high-index lenses, especially in larger or thinner frames.
  • Will this frame work with progressive lenses? If you wear progressives, some shallow frames don't leave enough lens height. A store should be able to tell you before you order.

The store

  • Is it an authorized seller of this brand? It's the simplest way to be sure the frame is authentic and covered by the manufacturer's warranty.
  • What's the return policy on prescription orders? Prescription lenses are made to order, so some stores limit returns or offer only exchanges. Check before you buy, not after.
  • What does the warranty cover, and for how long? Ask separately about the frame and the lenses, since they're often covered differently.
  • Who handles adjustments? New glasses often need a small adjustment to sit right. Ask whether the store does this, or whether a local optician will.

Online or in person?

Buying online can give you a wider choice of frames. Buying in person lets an optician measure you, check how a frame sits and adjust it on the spot. Many people do both: they find the frame online, then have it fitted or adjusted at an independent optical shop nearby.

This guide is general information, not medical advice. For questions about your eyes or your prescription, ask your optometrist or optician.

Pairisen will point you to independent opticians near you, as well as authorized stores online.

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Related: How to read your frame size and How to know your designer frames are the real thing.

Sources