Anyone bought glasses frames online?

[makingitupaswegoon]

Anyone bought glasses frames online? Is there anywhere you would recommend or suggest I avoid? I want to be able to try frames and return if they don’t suit me

I don’t want to purchase glasses online - my prescription is too complex. But I always have problems finding frames that fit and suit me - and covid seems to have made this worse with less choice being available for whatever reason. And it’s so hard going around opticians at the moment as you can’t just walk in and start trying on frames.

Most frames I have been able to try are too big and too deep for my face, and I also have to factor in my colouring which means limited choice. And I have a high prescription so I end up looking ancient if I choose the wrong thing …

Any thoughts or recommendations?

I only know of online services for complete glasses - would you consider ordering complete glasses and then having them reglazed by a face-to-face optician?

Glasses Direct let you try on and return - I've used them several times with no problem at all.

Thanks @LApprentiSorcier
How did you get on getting your glasses fitted when you'd bought online? I always need loads of adjustments. I always feel opticians get a bit funny about making adjustments if you haven't bought from them

I entered the measurements of an existing pair that fitted - the website then filters to all pairs that have the same measurements (there's a guide to how to find the measurements). I don't normally need many adjustments, just the nose bridge because although my nose is enormous, it's very narrow. I'm happy to adjust the nose bridge myself. I've had about three that didn't fit but I just returned them in the enclosed packaging.

I've never tried asking my face-to-face optician to adjust a pair bought online. If you went for the reglazing option, I would hope they'd be amenable because you'd be paying for their service (I imagine you go for ultra thin lenses as you have a high prescription, so not cheap).

I'm -6 with astigmatism for reference. What I do is get a face-to-face pair whenever I need a new prescription, which I use as my main pair, and then buy a few cheap pairs online to wear occasionally.

Use the measurements printed on the inside of the arm of a well fitting pair. There are guides online about them and what they all mean.

I am not sure where you have been looking for frames but a good independent optician is worth visiting. As they are not tied to any particular brands they can discuss frame styles with you & specially order in frames to suit your features, prescription & budget.