No one likes spending more money than they have to. Oftentimes, consumers look for discounts, coupons, and the best deals to avoid paying regular price for any product. This is completely understandable. Why pay more when there is a chance to pay less? Even though we all want to save a buck or two, we shouldn’t go looking for the cheapest option for everything.
With prescription glasses, you shouldn’t skimp out on spending that extra dollar. You can find cheap glasses in some convenience stores as well as online retailers. As much as we want to avoid wasting our hard-earned money, buying cheap glasses may actually be more of a waste than buying glasses from an eye care specialist. You’ll save money in the moment, but it won’t last long enough to justify the purchase. Here are some reasons why it’s best to avoid buying cheap glasses:
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What’s Being Cut to Lower Prices?
Online retailers often claim that they can sell glasses and sunglasses cheaper because they don’t have the same expenses as physical retailers like rent. However, this reduced price does come at a cost. You won’t get the care and personalized expertise you’d normally get with a qualified professional. This means you are forced to find the frames, lenses, and all other pieces that go into purchasing glasses by yourself. These retailers often do not have the equipment necessary to figure out the correct prescription needed to improve your vision as well.
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Beware the “Top Quality” Claim
Many retailers of cheap glasses frequently claim that the quality of their glasses matches the “top quality” of eyewear purchased from an eye care professional. But how can you be certain? Many of these retailers fabricate their lenses in their own labs as opposed to using a wholesale optical laboratory that most eye care specialists use. The lenses crafted by these retailers do not go through the rigorous testing as the ones you’d receive from your optometrist. Another red flag is that most of these “top quality” materials are more expensive to use so how can they use the same quality material while selling for significantly less? That’s no way to make a profit.
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Incorrect Fit
One of the major issues with purchasing cheap glasses from online retailers is that you don’t receive the care and fitting experience needed to craft glasses that truly fit your face. When visiting with a qualified optician, there are many measurements and tests to find the exact fit for everyone’s face. However, purchasing glasses online strips you of this experience and oftentimes, you receive glasses that do not fit. Even though some sites offer the ability to upload measurements of your face, it may not be enough to craft the correct glasses.
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Poor Vision Correction
If you truly need corrective lenses to fix your vision, it is important not to compromise on the care you receive in finding the right fix. Buying corrective glasses in discount stores or online retailers because they are cheaper and convenient may be a mistake. Oftentimes, the prescriptions in the lenses do not match the ones needed for your eyes and may cause more harm them good, leading to increased eye strain. It is important to schedule an eyeglass exam to figure out what is best for your eyes.
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Poor UV Protection
Even when purchasing sunglasses, it is important not to settle on a cheaper price. Cheaper sunglasses may look and feel like luxury quality sunglasses, but they don’t always offer the same level of protection. Style is important, but how they protect your eyes from UV rays should be more important. The darkness of the lenses has nothing to do with the level of protection from UV rays, and it is impossible for you to notice if you’re actually protected. Cheap sunglasses can be labeled “polarized” and “100% UV protection”, but they still may let in blue light and other harmful violet light that can cause damage. It’s best to schedule an appointment with your eye care professional to learn more about which lenses and brands you can trust.
Everybody loves to save money when it comes to buying almost anything, but when it comes to eyeglasses it is important not to buy cheap eyeglasses. It may seem inconvenient at the time to spend so much on glasses at the moment, but once they last an extended period of time and improve your vision, you’ll appreciate the investment. Schedule an eye exam with an optometrist at First Eye Care DFW today and find the perfect pair for you.