With so many online stores selling frames for cheap, it makes sense to grab a few pairs from there, right?
This may work for that spare pair of glasses you keep in your nightstand drawer but, when it comes to the frames you wear day in and day out, the money you save is not worth the headache of dealing with frames purchased online.
If you’re still tempted to pull out your credit card and order your frames online, keep reading.
We’ll show you why you should consider buying your frames locally and how doing so will not only support your local business but benefit your eyes as well:
6 Reasons to Buy Frames Locally
A 2018 article in the New York Times investigated the disadvantages of buying frames online instead of locally. Overall, they determined that buying frames online can be risky and not a good choice for everyone.
Here are some of the reasons why you should consider buying your frames locally instead of online:
1. Warranties and Repairs
Frames are not all made equally and they are not infallible to breaking. Many local eye clinics provide warranties on their eyewear, whereas most online optical sites do not.
This is especially important when it comes to children’s eyewear – kids are not genetically wired to appreciate the cost of eyewear and take special care to ensure nothing breaks.
So when you purchase frames online, you risk having to pay for new frames if they come apart. Likewise, issues like missing nose pads and screws, as well as loose lenses, need to be remediated via mail – if the online company offers this service.
Purchasing your frames locally means that you can have small issues fixed right away by a staff who is readily available and can easily provide assistance.
2. Finding the Perfect Fit
Sure, you can upload your picture to an online site and see how a pair of glasses are going to look, but how do you if they will fit properly?
When you buy frames locally, your optometrist will ensure that the glasses fit comfortably and securely to your face. You can also try on multiple pairs to see what best suits your style, face, and vision.
Another factor to take into consideration when it comes to fit is pupillary distance. An in-house optician can make sure that the lens is properly shaped to match the distance between your pupils to optimize your vision.
Otherwise, when you order frames online, there is no way for the company to determine what part of the lens you are looking through. They typically put the vertical center of vision in the geometric center of the lens.
3. Complicated Prescriptions
If you have a strong or complicated prescription, it is recommended that you buy glasses in person with the help of a professional.
For those with weak prescriptions, misalignment (as mentioned above) may not be a huge deal. However, if your prescription is around -4 or +4, it’s critical that your center of vision is perfectly aligned.
Otherwise, everything below your eye level can look distorted. This will make it difficult to wear your glasses without feeling a little cross-eyed – and you may find yourself bending your head downward in order to read.
4. Quality
While you can buy designer frames online and receive a comparable quality to those purchased in-store, there can be a significant difference in quality when it comes to the lens coating.
Both online and local stores offer coatings such as anti-glare, anti-scratch, blue-blocking, and transitioning lenses. However, the quality of the lens coating diminishes greatly when it comes to online stores.
Local clinics ensure high-quality lenses by using leading brands for their coatings.
5. Personalized Service
Shopping online for frames does not compare to the friendly and warm experience you receive when you visit a local eye clinic. In-person staff are available to provide you with personalized service and stove to make every visit a positive experience.
This includes taking your unique conditions into consideration. For example, if you’re nearsighted (myopia), your eyes focus at a point in front of your retina and cause faraway images to be blurry. Those with farsightedness (hyperopia) have the opposite problem and can only see things clearly if they are far away.
This makes a huge difference when it comes to the curve of the lens. Either a convex or concave lens in front of your eyes causes the light to bend differently. It moves where the image focuses (either forward or backward) so that it hits the retina correctly.
Your optometrist will examine your eyes and determine whether you need a positive prescription or negative prescription and adjust the lens accordingly – you cannot receive this type of service online.
6. Supporting Local Businesses
If there’s one thing the recent pandemic taught us is that where you spend your dollars makes a difference. Supporting local businesses helps to strengthen the economy and makes sure that jobs are available in your community.
It’s also important to remember that the optometrist available at your local eye clinic is highly trained and passionate about their vocation. They are not simply there to put glasses on your face – they are there to offer you individualized care when it comes to the health of your eyes.
Buy Frames Locally – Our Unique Selection
Many people turn to online stores to buy their frames in far that local businesses will not carry a sufficient variety of styles to suit their unique personalities and needs.
Never fear! The Eye Clinic carries an unparalleled selection of frames from big fashion houses and smaller independent companies, as well as family-run boutiques.
Our selection promotes fashion-forward thinking and promises quality, comfort, and function.
Interested in finding out more? Let’s have a chat or come visit our Edmonton location today! We can help you pick the perfect eyewear to suit your style and needs.