Are glasses purchased online reliable?

Online shopping is becoming more and more popular

Everything can be bought online

Including glasses

So is it really reliable to buy glasses online?

Optometry in the store

Then can I buy glasses online?

First, let me introduce a few concepts to you:

1. Eye examination is not the same as prescription 2. It is impossible to choose the right frame for yourself online 3. How much do you know about lenses 4. What should I do if I feel uncomfortable after receiving the product?

These basic problems cannot be solved by fitting glasses online.

Optometry is not the same as prescription

Many people think that going to an eyewear store for an eye test is just "testing the degree of the eyes" and that they can get glasses with the result. The eye test prescription is a "measurement result" of the patient's eye refractive state. When fitting glasses, it needs to be corrected according to the customer's refractive error type (myopia/hyperopia/astigmatism), visual function status, eye habits, age, occupation, etc. before the prescription can be fitted.

Therefore, optometry and glasses fitting are a complete task, and problems can easily arise if they are performed separately.

Can't choose the right frame online

Choosing a frame is like finding a partner. You will be living together for a long time. In addition to appearance, you should consider at least three factors:

1. Frames have different sizes. For example, if someone's ears are located forward or backward, the length of the temples they choose will be different. Too long or too short will affect the forward tilt angle and the distance between the eyes. Although most shopping websites will indicate the size of glasses, it is difficult to choose a frame that suits your size without trying them on.

2. Prescription for glasses Your prescription is closely related to the choice of frames. For example, if a consumer with high prescription chooses a large-sized frame, not only will the lenses be thick and heavy, but there will often be the embarrassment of the eyelashes brushing against the lenses when blinking.

3. The frames you choose for different usage scenarios and purposes are different. If you often work at a desk, you need a frame with non-slip support and a higher lens ring height; if you drive, you need a wider side view. Professional opticians can recommend according to your actual needs!

The quality of online stores varies, and there is no after-sales guarantee

There is no guarantee for after-sales service of online glasses. When glasses are not suitable for wearing, we cannot get timely repair and adjustment services, which brings us a lot of unnecessary troubles and worries.

Why go to the hospital for eye examination and glasses fitting?

The eye examination and glasses fitting in the hospital is a multi-procedure clinical diagnostic process. Professional optometrists will analyze and modify the results based on comprehensive eye examination and visual function examination. For example, adequate correction of myopic exotropia and undercorrection of esotropia, unequal images caused by anisometropia, detection of the dominant eye, comparison of parameters of new and old glasses are all key factors in modifying the degree of glasses fitting. Only when the basic requirements of comfort and clarity are met can glasses effectively protect our eyes and vision. Glasses fitting is not as simple as providing refractive power and pupil distance.

Zhou Chao, member of the Medical Technician Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, national first-level (senior) optometrist, and director of the optometry center of the Aier Eye Hospital affiliated to Wuhan University (Aier Eye Hospital Group Hubei General Hospital)