My favorite part of getting dressed is always picking out my glasses before I head out the door. Just like my obsession with shoes, I have way too many pairs of glasses. When I last counted, it was 30 and they are all scattered across various bags, cases and drawers in my house. While you might think that would be a pricey investment, I got most pairs for under $50.
Before I discovered online prescription eyewear, I thought I was forced to shell out over $200 a year for a single pair of somewhat cute prescription glasses. Now, I can buy over three pairs for around the same price that are exactly my style and arrive right at my door. And, did I mention that most of them take insurance and FSA/HSA dollars (a win-win!)?
I was always inspired by great eyewear from actors like Diane Keaton with her signature thick, black frames or Stanley Tucci's round frames that he's been wearing for years. And now, just like them, I am constantly recognized for my frames around the office and my friend group. I have even converted many friends to start shopping at these retailers directly for their frames.
I also spoke with two optometrists about what to know before you buy a pair of prescription glasses. Below, Dr. Jackie Ngo, an optometrist from Knoxville, TN, and Dr. Mitchell Cassel, an optometrist and owner of Studio Optix in Manhattan, answer some questions about the right fit and feel of frames and lenses.
Read on to see why I swear by online retailers like Eyebuydirect, GlassesUSA and more for my eyewear because they are so easy to use and won't break the bank.
Do you need to have an eye exam to order glasses online?
The short answer is no. Most prescription eyewear websites allow you to input your prescription on their site or upload a photo of your prescription. When you do an eye exam, you should ask for a copy of your prescription to keep on hand for when you want to order online. That makes it easy for you to just plug in the right numbers or upload a photo. I have also called my optometrist to provide insight for me when I've forgotten in the past.
Do online prescription eyewear companies take insurance?
Most online retailers accept insurance plans at checkout, and many of these retailers also take HSA and FSA payment methods. You can see some popular online retailers and their insurance plans below:
- EyebuyDirect: Takes EyeMed, Aetna, Humana, Cigna, VSP, and MetLife. Also takes FSA and HSA payments
- GlassesUSA: Takes UnitedHealthcare Vision and Cigna Vision. Also takes HSA and FSA payments.
- Zenni Optical: Takes VSP, EyeMed, Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare. Also takes FSA and HSA.
- 39Dollar Glasses: You can bill your insurance company after purchasing. Takes FSA and HSA funds.
My favorite lenses from online prescription glasses retailers
Zenni Optical is one of my favorite brands for buying affordable frames. They have great prices and their site is easy to navigate. This gold pair is always in my rotation because they are so easy to match with my gold jewelry.
I have my eye on this pair of classic black cat-eye frames from GlassesUSA. As someone with a rounder face, I am always looking for ways to add shape to my look when I get dressed. I love these cat-eye frames because they sit right above your cheekbones and accentuate your face.
This pair was so popular that it sold out, according to friends who tried to buy a pair after seeing me in them. The oval shape is very on-trend, showing up in similar styles from Prada and Miu Miu designer eyewear. They also do not droop when I lean over or look down.
I never thought I would be one to wear metal/wire frames, but these are my most complimented pair by far. I am always getting stopped in the office and asked where they are from. They are so comfortable, and the nose pads help me keep them up while I am working from my computer.
My favorite thing to do when I know my outfit needs a little something else is add an obscure pop of color. This blue pair is fun and reminds me of vintage glasses from the pop art phase. I wear them with my navy outfits or any time I am wearing a crisp white shirt. They fit my round face perfectly and are surprisingly lightweight.
One of my other favorite ways to get designer frames for under $100 is to shop sales from popular eyewear retailers like LensCrafters. They often have sales of around 50% off designer frames, and they take insurance. I am eyeing buying this pair during the sale.
At first glance, these may look a little dorky, but I also find myself reaching for them constantly. At events, they have been confused for designer frames multiple times. I also want to note that if you have a larger head, I would recommend getting this pair because of how well they fit. I love them so much, I also grabbed them in blue.
Editor Evan Siegel is also a big fan of EyebuyDirect and has a similar pair of aviators from the brand. He says, "I love EyeBuyDirect’s selection, ease of use and pricing. Just type in your prescription, and you’re good to go! The glasses themselves are comfortable to wear and well-made. I have no complaints."
The first pair of glasses I ever had were super round black ones. When I was feeling the urge to buy some new, cheap frames, I saw this grey pair was drawn in. They are so light and airy, and they go with most of my wardrobe. I have even worn them to workout classes, and they have not fallen off my face once.
When I want to wear a '70s-inspired outfit, I always go for this pair from GlassesUSA. They feel really expensive and are very well constructed. I always bring these when I travel because I know they can handle a little wear and tear as they move around my suitcase.
I have these frames from the popular online eyewear brand Warby Parker. Ordering them online was seamless and their customer care team was super helpful when I came in to get them adjusted. They are very classic and go with every outfit.
Writer, Emma Stessman, is also a big fan of the retailer. She has the Baker frames and says, "I’ve been buying glasses from the brand for almost a decade now, and they really make the process so easy. These are the frames I’ve been wearing for a couple of years and I love them. "
Eyebobs is a brand I recently found out about and they make a really great pair of glasses. They are Italian-designed and are thoughtfully crafted with well-made materials. I wear mine all the time when I want to have that designer look for a reasonable price.
More glasses to shop for online, according to Shop TODAY editors
Associate editor, Kamari Stewart-Jackson, is also a fan of Zenni. Last year, when she had a lot of FSA funds left to spend, she decided to upgrade her frames. She bought a couple of pairs from the retailer and loved this cat-eye option.
She says, " I added ID Guard to all of my pairs, which helps reduce unwanted facial detection, which I love. Of the four pairs I ordered, two were a little too small for my face, but the other two were great. The returns process was very easy, and I got a credit back very quickly, so I'm excited to find new pairs!"
You might not think prescription sunglasses are needed, but I own several pairs and find them so handy in the summer. My contacts get too dry, so on sunny days I wear sunglasses. Associate editor, Lauren Witonsky, recommends this brand: "I’ve gotten these prescription sunglasses from them and love them."
The name of this company is just that, every pair is just $39. If you aren't sure what frames suit your face, I would recommend grabbing a couple from this site and trying them out to see what you like. This black pair is very classic and you can choose a handful of different lens tints.
Siegel also owns these frames from the trendy shop, Kits. He likes them because they are so lightweight and comfortable. He adds, " Kits also runs sales frequently (they’re currently doing BOGO), so I ended up paying a total of $10 for these when I bought them!"
Stewart-Jackson wears contacts a lot, but she also swears by these blue-light glasses to keep her eyes comfortable. She says, "I can feel the difference when I'm working at a computer all day and not wearing them versus the days I do wear them. I love blue light glasses so much, that I've bought several pairs so I can keep one at home, one in my bag and one at my desk (though my mom has stolen one so I'm now down to two pairs). I would absolutely repurchase these if they ever broke!" You can also add a prescription to them if you like!
Frequently asked questions
Even if you don’t wear glasses, Ngo says you should be getting your eyes checked annually. She says, “Like everything else in our body, our eyes change as we age.A comprehensive eye exam is more than a glasses/contact lens prescription. The health of your eye is evaluated to make sure there are no visually threatening conditions such as retinal tears/detachments, glaucoma, or macular degeneration.”
Cassel says, “We always recommend UV protection and an anti-reflective coating, which reduces glare and provides clearer vision.” Ngo also recommends, “adding a scratch-resistant coating to reduce the possibility of scratching the lenses, an anti-reflective coating to decrease any glare from digital devices and headlights, and a blue-light blocking filter for those on digital devices frequently."
Ngo says that a good pair of frames should not fit too tight or too loose and that, “glasses should sit close to the top of your nose for optimal vision. This allows the light refracted through the lens to land on your macula, resulting in clear vision.” Cassel adds that “the frame should rest comfortably across the bridge of your nose and the temple bend should begin at the top of your ear. Frames that are too wide or narrow will cause discomfort and can negatively impact your vision.”
When asked about any tips that the doctors have for people purchasing eyewear online, the doctors both said to get an eye exam to make sure your measurements are correct. Cassel says it best when he mentions, “Eyewear is a medical device — not just a fashion accessory — and precision matters.”
Meet the experts
At Shop TODAY, our reporters interview a range of qualified sources and experts to capture a wide scope of perspectives on products prescription glasses. We also make sure that all expert guidance and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Jackie Ngo is an optometrist practicing in Knoxville, TN.
- Dr. Mitchell Cassel received both a B.S degree and a Doctorate of Optometry from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry after completing a B.S. Degree in Biology at Lehigh University. He opened Studio Optix in 1994, celebrating over 30 years of exceptional eyecare and outstanding eyewear in Rockefeller Center.
How we chose
Annie Shigo has been wearing glasses for years, growing her collection each year. She is committed to finding affordable and reliable frames that are comfortable and easy to buy online. Other frames featured were from brands she trusts and uses and are based on product reviews from customers.
Why trust Shop TODAY?
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there — including the best deals. We interview expert sources, comb through customer reviews and even use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers.
To find the best prescription glasses, we combed through hundreds of products to find picks from top brands and retailers that both our readers and staffers love. A few of the picks above we’ve personally tried and love. We made sure to include a mix of top-rated items from verified shoppers, editor-loved finds and more.
