eyeglasses woman holding out of focus

How to Buy Prescription Glasses Online (and Save a Ton!)

/27 Comments/in , , , /by Mary Hunt

With the rising cost of eyewear at traditional optical shops, many people are turning to online retailers for affordable, high-quality glasses. But is it really possible to get well-made, properly fitted prescription glasses from a website? Can you trust an online store with something as important as your vision? I had my doubts, too—big ones. But after taking the leap, I discovered just how easy, reliable, and budget-friendly it can be to buy prescription glasses online.

eyeglasses woman holding out of focus buy prescription glasses online

Full disclosure: When I first heard you could buy prescription glasses online, I scoffed. I rolled my eyes. What’s next—mail-order surgery? Virtual eye exams? Not a chance.

Honestly, the idea sounded weird, if not downright irresponsible. Who in their right mind would trust their eyesight to some mysterious website in the cloud? Just upload a doctor’s prescription, pick out frames from a bunch of tiny thumbnail images, and hope some faceless entity grinds the lenses correctly, pops them into the right frames, ships them back, and—somehow—makes them fit? All for a fraction of what I’d pay at a brick-and-mortar optical shop? Yeah, sure.

And yet… here I am. That person. The one who took the leap, had an epiphany, and now swears by ordering glasses online.

Sticker Shock: The Cost of Prescription Glasses

Up until about a fifteen years ago, I enjoyed perfect vision—no glasses, no fuss. But life happens (perhaps you’ve noticed this), and suddenly, I found myself in need of prescription eyewear. What I wasn’t prepared for? The mind-numbing cost.

I went to a top-notch optometrist (still do!) and assumed that taking the best care of my eyes meant buying glasses from the chic little boutique in his office. That assumption lasted right up until I saw the bill: more than $750 for designer frames, lenses, anti-scratch coating (which, let’s be honest, does not mean scratch-proof), UV protection, and the anti-glare add-on. I nearly needed another eye exam just to make sure I was reading that number correctly.

That moment sent me down the rabbit hole of online eyewear. I’ve now tested three of the top-rated providers—on my own dime—and wow. Why was I so hesitant?

Turns out, I still get my eyes examined by my trusted optometrist (no self-diagnosing here!), but when he hands me my written prescription? I’m out the door and off to find a better deal online.

Zenni Optical: The Affordable Leader in Online Eyewear

When I first ventured into the world of online prescription glasses, I started with Zenni Optical—mainly because it was the cheapest, had great reviews, and a solid 30-day return policy.

How cheap? Try $6.95 for frames and single-vision lenses. I spent a bit more (because, let’s be real, I wanted something a little nicer), but still—seven bucks. Can you believe it?

My glasses arrived quickly, and honestly? I couldn’t have been happier. The fit was spot on, the frames felt sturdy, the prescription was perfect, and they came with anti-scratch, anti-glare coatings, and full UV protection—all included. The grand total, shipping and all? $43.85. Amazing.

Not Happy? No Problem.

Zenni’s return policy is shockingly customer-friendly, especially compared to the eyewear boutiques at your local optometrist’s office.

  • 30 days to return for store credit (plus, they’ll refund your shipping fee if you’re in the U.S. or Canada).
  • 14-day money-back option (minus shipping) if you prefer a refund to your original payment method.
  • Lifetime nose pad and screw replacements for rimless frames.
  • One-year warranty on defects in anti-reflective coatings and photochromic lenses.

And if your glasses arrive with a manufacturing issue? Send them back within 30 days, and Zenni will remake them for free.

Step-by-Step: How to Order Glasses Online

1. Get an Eye Exam

You can’t get your eyes checked online—at least not yet! You’ll need to see an optometrist or ophthalmologist for a proper eye exam. If you need corrective lenses, ask for a written prescription that includes your pupillary distance (PD) measurement.

2. Choose an Online Provider

There are plenty of online retailers, but Zenni Optical is a standout for affordability and selection. They cut out the middleman, meaning you get high-quality glasses at a fraction of the cost.

3. Pick Your Frames

If you have to wear glasses, they might as well look good, right? Zenni offers hundreds of stylish frames for men, women, teens, and kids—way more than your local optometrist’s office could ever display.

Zenni’s virtual try-on tool makes picking frames a breeze. Just click the Try On button, enable your webcam, and let the FittingBox window work its magic. You’ll see exactly how different styles look on your face—glare and all! Yep, this tool is so spot-on, it even mimics how overhead lights or bright windows reflect off the lenses as you move. No more awkward squinting into a mirror while trying to guess what your new glasses actually look like!

4. Enter Your Prescription & Measurements

Once you’ve picked your frames, you’ll need to enter your prescription details. If you forgot to ask your doctor for your PD measurement, don’t worry—Zenni provides step-by-step instructions to measure it yourself. It sounds intimidating, but trust me, it’s easy.

5. Create an Account & Upload Your Prescription

This part is simple—just follow the prompts to upload your prescription and set up your account. If you have any questions along the way, Zenni’s FAQs and live chat support are super helpful.

6. Pay Securely

Buying prescription glasses online is as easy as shopping on Amazon. Just be sure to use a credit card or bank draft, never a debit card, for extra security.

7. Wait (Impatiently) for Your Glasses to Arrive

Now for the hard part—waiting! In just a few days, your brand-new prescription glasses will be at your door, ready to wear.

Money-Saving Tip

Don’t forget to activate Rakuten before you check out. Zenni currently offers 2.5% cash back when you shop through Rakuten, which means extra savings on top of their already low prices. It’s like getting a double discount—because who doesn’t love saving twice?

Why Buying Glasses Online Is a Smart Money Move

Vision care is expensive—outrageously so. That’s exactly why two visionaries (pun intended) launched Zenni in 2003, cutting out the middleman to make prescription eyewear affordable for everyone. Since then, they’ve sold over 50 million frames worldwide.

Even if you opt for progressive lenses, transition lenses, bifocals, polycarbonate upgrades, or designer frames, the total cost will still be a fraction of what you’d pay elsewhere.

So, how does Zenni keep costs low without skimping on quality? Simple: They control the entire process. You’re buying directly from the source—no retail overhead, no inflated prices. Just pick your frames, enter your prescription, and you’re set. Zenni makes their own frames and lenses in-house, using the latest optical tech to keep quality high and costs low. Every pair comes with a hard-shell case and a lens cloth, because you shouldn’t have to pay extra for the basics. They ship to over 80 countries, so affordable glasses are within reach no matter where you are.

Bottom line? Buying prescription glasses online just makes sense—less hassle, lower prices, and the same quality you’d get in-store.

Question: Be honest—how much did you pay for your last pair of glasses? And do you think it was worth it? Let’s compare notes in the comments below.

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27 replies
  1. Jean Marshall says:

    In addition to your Rx be sure to get the measurement for pupil distance at the time of your exam. It is less accurate to do it at home. I love Zenni’s Iris Apfel line of funky frames.

    Reply
  2. Carol Gesalman says:

    My question is, who fits the glasses to your head? My head must be awfully crooked in the back because all my glasses thus far have had the part of the side that goes over the right ear bent in much more than the other side.

    Reply
  4. Terri Clark says:

    We adopted 3 boys from foster care-all who wear glasses! Our 5 year old is especially active. We are on pair #7 with him in less than 2 years! Zenni has been a lifesaver (and I love how I can just save his profile and reorder when we have broken glasses in hand)!

    Reply
  5. Danielle Backer says:

    There’s several online frames places I order from. One is called Bonlook and they have higher end designer frames. The other is through glasses.com – and that’s where I go to purchase specific frames like Ray-Bans that my husband is pretty particular about. I usually shop through Id.me as that allows me to use a military discount for lenses of at least 50% off. Make sure you keep your original prescription since they are not allowed to hold onto the one you upload, so if you go to buy again you will still be able to upload it. Just in case your puppy gets ahold of your prescription glasses and breaks them!

    Reply
  6. Red says:

    I had a horrible time finding an optician that would even make my lenses! I needed one lens without any correction and the other progressive. For some reason no one could really explain, my plain lens had to be progressive too. BJs was willing to make mine for about 2-3 changes in lens. As they mail to a lab also I would have been happy to try a mail order if they could have supplied what I needed. My need for glasses has now been remedied!

    Reply
  7. Nancy says:

    I have been pleased by the glasses I have bought online from GlassesUSA. I’ve bought 5 pair so far and for less than I’d pay for one pair in an optical store.

    Reply
  8. Kay Jones says:

    I cannot use the online companies because I have trifocals and a prism. My daughter also has a very complex prescription however there is a way for us to save money. We order the frames only, take them in to the office and they use our frames for the lenses. Another hint from a friend, order a second pair of the frames especially if they are inexpensive. That way if your frame breaks you can just pop the lens in and you are good to go. Yes we tried to use the companies, but they told us they couldn’t fill our prescriptions and were the ones to suggest we see about just getting the frames. Good customer service!

    Reply
  10. bonobosmarcos says:

    What is great about online glasses shopping is that most of them are open to the idea of needing to return your glasses and so you can return them and get another pair free of charge. One thing I loved when ordering mine was the fact that I could take a picture of my face and virtually try the glasses on. It worked really well and was accurate as to what the actual glasses looked like.

    Reply
  11. Lynnette says:

    I always get progressives and my last 3 pairs were from Zenni Optical online. They are great; no problems at all. I can highly recommend them.

    Reply
  12. Bronson Beisel says:

    I started using Zenni when my eye doctor quoted me $1500 for a pair of glasses. Oh they tried to convince me I’d end up looking like Colin Firth’s younger brother when I wore them, but I passed, asked for my prescription, and left determined to try Zenni. I was so impressed with Zenni. I spent less than $200 for a pair that looks exactly like the $1500 pair and had all the same coatings, etc. They work great. I updated my prescription last year and was able to order the same frame easily.

    Another tip…when my kids were younger, they often broke or bent the frames. With Zenni, I’d order a full pair and then an extra empty frame. When they bent a frame, I merely removed and transferred the lenses to the new frame.

    I have noticed that since I started using Zenni, my eye doctor’s prices on glasses have dropped dramatically. A little competition can be a good thing.

    Reply
  13. Lynnette says:

    The only time I ever had to return a pair of eyeglasses to Zenni Optical (they do have a reasonable return policy), it turned out that I had keyed in the prescription incorrectly – that was my fault, not theirs. Actually, it was partially my optometrist’s fault since her handwriting is practically illegible. Now, I ask her to write legibly, and I confirm with her what I think she has written down. Also, Zenni now has the ability for you to attach a scanned copy of your prescription to your order. Never had a problem since.

    Reply
  14. Happy says:

    I ordered round ones from Coastal which were not affordable in optical store…..love, love, love them – best pair of glasses I have ever owned….I got my measurements from prescription and old glasses

    Reply
  15. Kristin Burns, OD says:

    As an optometrist I am asked about ordering glasses online frequently. The few pairs I have seen back were terribly off in prescription (I don’t know which company they came from, and having been entered incorrectly by the customer is a definitely possibility). There is no reason single vision glasses shouldn’t come out fine. Progressives are dependent on measurements taken with the frame, and have a higher chance of coming out incorrectly. Keep in mind that your optometrist should not be expected to trouble shoot incorrect glasses ordered this way at no charge.

    Reply
  16. Pat says:

    I have been ordering glasses from Zenni for several years and was always very happy with my purchase, which never cost over $100, even with anti-glare, progressives and Transitions. They never got ANYTHING wrong!

    Reply
  17. Marion says:

    With my insurance, I get a new pair of glasses every other year. When I needed to replace my driving glasses, it was a year where I did not have coverage. The eye doctor showed me his boutique of frames and I asked him if he had any that were “really cheap” or even free. They said they had some free frames. I thought if they were really bad looking I would just bite the bullet and pay for the frames myself but there were several attractive styles. I picked out a pair of wire rims with no anti scratch and no anti glare lenses. All I paid for was the basic lenses. Believe me when I tell you that I have received more complements on my free frames than on any I have ever paid for.

    Reply
  18. ShellyH says:

    Working in ophthalmology, I was very hesitant to order online. But many of my patients were satisfied so thought I’d give it a try. Single vision (no bifocal) lenses from Coastal are great! Designer frames, premium lenses and under $100!! Wasn’t happy with the no line bifocals, but they happily and quickly refunded my money upon return. With no line bifocals I’m still in the “you get what you pay for” camp.

    Reply
    • Jane says:

      My husband and I were trying to save money, since we have to pay oop for our exams and any glasses/contacts we purchase. We each got our first pair free from Coastal and they were great! We each paid $14.95 shipping. Great money saver for us! Definitely recommend them

      Reply
  19. mjb5167 says:

    I’ve been using Zenni Optical for many years. I have never been disappointed. Their prices are the best out there, bar none. I always order a backup pair or two, its nice to have a new style change every so often! I can buy a whole new wardrobe of glasses for what I used to pay for one pair from the Optician’s shop. Never will I buy anywhere else. I have also bought prescription sunglasses there which they can make out of any “regular” prescription with added tint. I think I paid 30 something for the last pair of progressive lens glasses from them. They also always include a hard case and cleaning cloth with each pair. Win-Win!!

    Reply
  20. DianaB says:

    I have never used an online company to order my glasses, but the prospect of spending over $500 each time I have my eyes checked and a new Rx keeps me from updating my Rx as often as I should, like annually as opposed to every 4-5 years as my pocketbook allows. My last visit was over 2 1/2 years ago for over $600. (Needless to say I am on Medicare and have no vision insurance.) I will have to check these sites out. Thanks for the great information. And, of course, in the optometrist’s office their goal is to up-sell you to all the bells and whistles, and that is extremely aggravating. And you cannot find a good-looking pair of frames for a reasonable price at their places, either.

    Reply
  21. Teresa Lenoir says:

    My family has been ordering from Zenni for almost 10 years and we love them. My Mom is hooked too, she buys several pair to match her wardrobe because they are so inexpensive. My bifocal lenses and frames were less than $40! Gotta love that!

    Reply
  22. Lynnette says:

    I have vision insurance which requires me to buy my eyeglasses at Walmart. Even AFTER insurance paid their part, the last pair of Walmart eyeglasses I got (a few years ago) still cost me almost $300 out of pocket (a co-worked said she spent almost $500). My insurance does allow me to go “out of networK” for which they will reimburse me a certain amount for each component. I now order my eyeglasses online from Zenni Optical. For this last pair I just got I ordered the most expensive frame they had ($39.95!) and got no-line bifocals, and upgraded everything else. I found a 10% off coupon online so my bottom-line out of pocket, including shipping was $98.40. I then submitted that to my vision insurance and was reimbursed everything but the $4.95 shipping. I actually like the eyeglasses from Zenni better than any I ever got at Walmart (or anywhere else) and the prescription is spot-on; I could tell the difference the second I put them on. As far as fit goes, they were pretty good, but I took them to my local Walmart optical center and they adjusted them for free (I did not tell them that I purchased them elsewhere and they did not ask). I can highly recommend Zenni !

    Reply
  23. D. Debord says:

    I have ordered them from Eyebuydirect.com and was very pleased. I was so pleased, that I talked my mother into ordering a pair from them, as a back up, since she loses or mangles them. Of course her were more, since she wants all the bells and whistles. But even then, hers were about 1/3 of the cost of her original pair that came from the Doctor’s office. I have ordered them twice, for my adult son as well. My pair were around 25 dollars and that is with no-line bifocal. I would encourage anyone to look at purchasing online, before they fork out big bucks in a Doctor’s office. So far no one I know had any problems with ordering online and all are thrilled with their glasses.

    Reply
  25. Mike says:

    I usually get one pair at my eye doctor, that maxes out my vision benefit, then I order backups and perscription sunglasses from Zenni . I’m still wearing the Zenni glasses, the “good ones” nope.

    Reply

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