How it Works: Three Easy Steps

What do I need to buy my prescription glasses online?

1. Firstly you'll need a copy of your prescription.

When you have your eyes tested you should ask your optician for a copy. The optician is obliged to give you a copy by law. Remember you paid for it! However some opticians "forget" to give you a copy. This may be a simple mistake, or it may be to encourage or to make you feel that you should buy your frames and lenses from that establishment. By all means ask for a quote on your frames but make sure you get a copy of your prescription, and then shop around until you are happy you've got what you want..

You must not feel intimidated, it is in your best interests to get yourself the best deal available. Just tell him either you cannot find the frames you want, or that you are on a tight budget and need to look around first. Remember there could be very large amounts at stake...sometimes many hundreds of dollars to save on a single pair of glasses.

It is a good idea to ask the optician to mark your PD (Pupillary Distance) on your prescription at the time of testing. If you have to go back and get your prescription from the last time you were tested, ask him for the PD measurement to be put on the prescription. He'll usually have it on file. Technically he is not required to put this measurement on your prescription, but it takes only seconds to measure, and he needs it when or/if he makes glasses for you. Also he needs to generate some goodwill to keep you as a customer and a good reference.

If however you are not able to get your PD from him, you can easily perform this measurement yourself. See our FAQ's: Can I measure my own PD?

(FAQ's can be found at the foot of the "Home" page, or at the top tabbed section of each page.)

2. Secondly, you need to choose your frames from our extensive selection.

To help you navigate our site we recommend you use the "Wishlist Basket" to store your frame selections while browsing : Simply click on the "Save for Later" button to keep your selection(s) whilst shopping.

To accommodate your lens choice you'll need to select suitable frames, if you are buying:

Single Vision Glasses - this simply means you are using your glasses for one purpose, such as Reading (close objects, known as near vision), or Distance (far away objects, driving - intermediate or distance vision). All our frames (both Single Vision Frames, and Multi Focal Frames) are suitable for Single Vision Lenses.

Bifocal Lenses - this option provides you with the option of incorporating a lens that will do both jobs - reading and distance. The reading portion of the the lens will have a fine line across it representing the reading part of the lens below the line. This is often referred to as a D lying on its side with the flat line at the top. You will need to choose frames from our "Multifocal Frames" selection, select from our Bifocal Glasses category.

Progressive Lenses - these are also known as multi-focal, or varifocal and combine both reading and distance in a progressive lens, so that you cannot see any visible line seperating the two functions. Progressive lenses give you a gradual progression between the two strengths allowing you to view the intermediate ranges. You will need to choose frames from our "Multifocal Frames" selection, select from our Progressive Glasses category.

However Bifocal , and Progressive lenses require frames suitable to accomodate them, so their lenses need to be at least 28mm deep to accommodate the two prescriptions. You may find it easier to search by: "Bifocal" or "Progressives" on the column on the left.

Whether you want Single Vision, Bifocal or Progressives as an option you can upgrade your lens with a Sunglasses Option as follows:

a. Tints are available on all lenses in seven colors, and each color in three intensities, making a total of 21 tints available. An 80% tint is suitable for outdoor sunglasses. A 50% tint is suitable as a sunglass for use inside and out. A 10% tint is a fashion tint, and not for sunglass use. 

b. Polarized lenses perform excellently as a prescription sunglass lens.

c. Photochromic prescription lenses perform well: they go light indoors, and turn dark outdoors.

d. Transition Sunglass Lenses are a premium performing: "light indoors and dark outdoors lens".

Standard options supplied at no charge include Anti-scratch and UV Protection. Other low cost options include Anti Reflection and Premium rated 100% UV protection.

The final option to consider for all lenses is the index ( thickness). The higher the index the thinner
the lens. The principal benefit of the higher index is cosmetic: to take away that " thick lens look".
If you cannot afford to puchase higher index lenses and are concerned, then you should consider adding a 10% tint, which has the visual effect of thinning the lens.

If you need to wear your glasses whilst active outdoors you may want to consider our "Sports" lens available in a 1.58 High Index as a Single Vision, Bifocal or Progressive lens. These lenses are shatterproof, made of Polycarbonate, however they are not able to be tinted, but they are available clear, or as Sunglasses with Photochromic lenses (light sensitive: they go dark outdoors and light indoors, in Brown or Gray. Polarized Polycarbonate Sunglass lenses are also available with the lenses available in either Brown or Gray.

3. Thirdly, having made your selections, proceed to the "Shopping Cart" and make payment via our latest encrypted technology secure payment methods, via Paypal, Mastercard, or Visa.

How long will it take? Your order will be completed and checked within 48/72 hours of receipt by us. Our Registered Express Shipping and Handling means your order is then rushed by "Express Priority Registered Airmail" for Express delivery worldwide.

Our orders take an average of 7-14 days, to be delivered from the time you place your order, though they often take less time.