I have had good experiences with optical4less.com (based in Hong Kong, but ships everywhere) and spex4less.com (UK-based). I've bought ~10 pairs of glasses online.
Ask HN: Have you bought prescription glasses online?
11–15 of 15 posts
Re: Ask HN: Have you bought prescription glasses online?
#12Bought a pair online for less than half the price that the high street were charging. My optometrist gives perscription upon request but PD isn't part of this. I was able to measure the PD myself though (did several measurements using a few different mirrors).
Have been wearing the glasses every day for over a year and they're the clearest and sharpest lenses I've ever had. Don't think I'll ever go back to buying from a store.
[edit] For anyone wondering the methods I used to measure PD, I used a ruler in front of the mirror, a ruler in front of a friend and a couple of online apps like Warby Parker's https://pd.warbyparker.com/ The results were pretty consistent so went ahead with it.
Re: Ask HN: Have you bought prescription glasses online?
#13I've bought glasses online. My optometrist doesn't write them by default on the prescriptions but provides them on request. Of course I suppose she could lie so that "online" bought glasses will not work as well as hers do, but I doubt that. That said, given modern cameras, even web cams, it should be possible to put a calibration dot on your forehead, take a picture of your face and have the computer figure it out.…
Its actually illegal for an optometrist to refuse your correct prescription. Fine: $1500 per incident.
This may be true but I don't think the pupil distance is a required part of the prescription. This measurement is often made at the glasses shop. Since it doesn't require any special knowledge or equipment to make the measurement I don't think it is a big deal.
Re: Ask HN: Have you bought prescription glasses online?
#14Earlier quoted context omitted.
Its actually illegal for an optometrist to refuse your correct prescription. Fine: $1500 per incident.
This may be true but I don't think the pupil distance is a required part of the prescription. This measurement is often made at the glasses shop. Since it doesn't require any special knowledge or equipment to make the measurement I don't think it is a big deal.
Right, just look in a mirror and hold up a ruler marked in mm.
Re: Ask HN: Have you bought prescription glasses online?
#15Bought a pair at http://www.zennioptical.com/
Measured the PD myself, totally worth it