​September 30th, 2012

A panel of eye care researchers and eyewear industry experts report that people who purchase prescription eyeglasses online, in many cases, are not getting the products they ordered. Results of their study indicate that nearly half of prescription eyeglasses sold directly to consumers online either do not meet prescription specifications or fail accepted safety standards. (“Safety and Compliance of Prescription Spectacles Ordered by the Public via the Internet,” Optometry: Journal of the American Optometric Association, September 2011)

​

The study’s findings include:

•More than one in every five pairs of eyeglasses sold online was not delivered as ordered, with features either omitted or added,

•In more than one in four (28.6 percent) of the eyeglasses one or both lenses were out of tolerance with at least one important parameter of an optical prescription
• In almost a quarter (22. 7 percent) one or both lenses failed the US Food and Drug Administration’s impact-resistance requirements
• Almost one in every 16 pairs of eyeglasses sold online failed tests for both adherence to prescription specifications and safety, and

• Overall, some 44.8 percent of eyeglasses failed to meet either prescription specifications
or impact resistance requirements.

• The eyewear was obtained when 10 individuals ordered two pairs of glasses from each of 10 of the nation’s most popular Internet vendors, totaling 200 eyewear orders.

​

The article in the November 2011 AOA News indicates that some of the problem may arise because of the direct-from-the-manufacturer distribution model. They state:

“Until now, eyeglass wearers have rarely encountered the types of problems found in the survey, thanks to multiple-level product inspections in eyewear production facilities and careful checking of prescriptions in vision care practices prior to dispensing.”

​

By comparison, the article notes that a 1999 OLA study found that approximately 25 percent of eyeglasses manufactured by laboratories for the traditional dispensing model fail tolerance for at least one optical parameter, a figure comparable to the failure rate of 28.2 percent found among online eyeglass retailers.
 

However, a review conducted by the Optical Manufacturing Association and OLA subcommittee found a majority of the optical failures in the traditional model are identified during secondary inspections.

​

According to Jeffrey D. Enres of The Vision Council, the optical industry’s dominant trade organization, rigorous inspection at both the manufacturer and dispensary level is critical to trouble free spectacle wearing. As the article points out, in the traditional channel for distribution ”the active, personal ‘hands-on’ dispensing process could protect the patient from spectacles that might not meet applicable requirements.”

​

The AOA article goes on to explain that doctors can verify some of the optical properties of eyewear received from another seller, but unfortunately, neither an optometrist nor an optician can generally assess the impact resistance of the finished lenses purchased online. Nor can our office always confirm the quality of the lens material or the accuracy of the lens design. Although many lenses have identifying marks that indicate the brand and design, others do not.

​

In our office you can count on this: When you purchase your glasses at our office, we inspect and verify the parameters of the prescription. At dispensing, we adjust the glasses for optimal vision and interact with you about how well you see through your glasses, how they feel, and how to use your new glasses. We follow up with you about a week later to make sure that your glasses are comfortable and working for you “in the real world” as you go about your daily tasks. At all steps along this process, if the glasses are not working for you; we want to know. And we want to take care of the problem. This is part of the eyewear purchase experience in our office and it helps insure that our patients get the best vision possible through their glasses.

​

When we prescribe your glasses and you purchase them online and believe you are having a problem, we will be glad to verify the prescription and give you a quick evaluation of the lenses and frame. However, unless the lenses are purchased from us, and processed through our laboratory suppliers, we are not able to evaluate them fully or resolve any problems on your behalf.

​

Note: it is similar with eyeglass frames. When you purchase your frame from our office we make sure it is a good fit and style for your lens prescription and facial features. If you are not satisfied we will work with you to make it right. We provide continual adjustments, nose pad replacements and cleaning of the frames purchased from us. And each frame and pair of lenses has a two year warranty against manufacturer defects. When you purchase eyewear elsewhere we cannot be responsible for it during adjustments, lens insertion or replacement.