Prescription Glasses Buying Guide

Wearing glasses is an opportunity to make a fashion statement. Today, it’s easy to order fashionable, trendy and branded prescription glasses online, all you need is the correct information from an optician.

Our complete lens buying guide takes you through the process and answers questions you might have around how to order prescription lenses online. From choosing fashionable men’s and women’s frames to what information you need to order your glasses online, this guide is a hub of useful information.

Can I order prescription lenses online?

Before you can order prescription lenses online, you must get an eye exam from a professional optician as you’ll need this information for your lenses. Once you’ve done that, you’re ready to select the right lenses and order prescription glasses online. It’s important to note that to place your order, you’ll need to select three different products, namely:

Lens Brand
Lens Thickness
Coatings
Frame

Types of Lenses - A Lens Buying Guide

Your lenses are the most important part of your glasses. While it largely depends on your lens prescription, there are different types of lenses for glasses available, such as:

Single Vision lenses – contains one prescription for either distance, reading or computer use
Bifocal lenses — these lenses contain two prescriptions in one lens; typically, the upper portion is for long distance vision and the lower lens is for near vision
Occupational – these lenses contain two prescriptions: one for intermediate and one for reading. However, this does not include distance prescription
Progressive lenses (a.k.a. varifocal lenses) — lenses containing a gradual change in prescription from distance vision at the top to near vision at the bottom.

All these lenses can come in either photochromic, sunglasses or clear

Photochromic lenses — These change from light to dark, depending on light glare
Sunglass lenses – these full UVA/UVB protected lenses. Available in a variety of different tints
Fashion – Non prescription lenses that come with an anti-reflection coating
Clear – No tint, regular lenses, available in a variety of thicknesses and coatings.

Can prescription lenses be put in any frame?

Yes, prescription lenses can be put in any frame, however some lenses can have restrictions when it comes to frame shape. Ideally, when you update your prescription, you should get new frames too. When you order prescription glasses online and you’re unsure about using your existing frames, contact the team directly for more guidance.

What are coatings for lenses?

Lens coatings are an additional layer applied to your lenses to make them easier to maintain and last longer. For example, scratch resistant coatings. Fashion Eyewear offers our coatings in packages, namely:

Premium – Scratch and smudge resistant with anti reflection
Elite – super hydrophobic anti reflection coating
Blue computer coating – This is the Premium coating with an additional blue coating for screen usage. We can offer an 18-month guarantee on this coating.

To choose your coating, you should look at when and where you’ll be wearing your glasses and the level of activity you do. For example, our Elite Coating package is ideal for people who are very active outdoors as it is scratch and water resistant.

Let's talk about frames

Having the right lenses is crucial for perfect vision, but frames is where you make a fashion statement. Your glasses are an investment you’ll potentially be wearing every day for several years. So, it makes sense to splash out to find the best style for you, such as:

Aviators – a distinctive design that normally has a reflective tint on the lens.
Butterfly – a larger, square frame with rounded edges and slightly wider in the middle.
Cat eye – a square frame with the top points resembling the shape of a cat eye
Wayfarer – a timelessly trendy, square shaped frame.

From Aviator to Wayfarer in Tom Ford, Gucci or Versace, Fashion Eyewear stocks a wide range of high-end designer glasses and designer sunglasses frames to suit your preferences.

What do I need to order prescription glasses online?

All you need is your glasses prescription from a qualified optician. This is a valuable analysis about your vision, shape of your eyes, quality of your eyesight and whether you’re near or far-sighted. It includes:

Pupil distance – The precise measurement between your pupils. Click here to learn how to measure your pupil distance (PD) yourself at home.
Prescription – Your sphere, cylinder, axis, and vision values for your left and right eye
Lenses – We stock different types of single vision, occupational and progressive lenses

How to order prescription glasses online

Choose your favourite frame from our extensive range of glasses and sunglasses
Click the ‘buy with prescription lenses’ button
Follow the lens buying guide and specify what you use your glasses for, i.e. driving, distance or reading.
Next choose whether you want clear, photochromic or as tinted lenses
Select your optician's package, or you can create your own
Choose your lens thickness and or tints
Add your prescription and your pupil distance
Proceed to checkout and pay
Your new prescription glasses will be delivered directly to your chosen address

Guide to ordering prescription lenses online from Fashion Eyewear

Lenses are a critical part of your eyewear selection process, and we have a huge range for you to choose from. Our skilled opticians know how to give you the very best lenses for the right price. Once you have selected your frames, we will take you to step by step through the lens selection process.

Step 1: Select your lenses

Whether you're looking for a simple reading or distance lens, or you need a sophisticated varifocal with sun protection, we have something to suit your needs .

Choose your prescription type and follow the process.

Step 2: Select your lens type

We cater for all your lifestyle needs, computer use, sunglasses for daytime driving or transitions for convenience, simply select the right one for your lifestyle.

We offer different lens packages, designed by qualified opticians. Alternatively, if you know what you need you can select the 'Build your own lenses' option and choose from our top-quality lens suppliers - Nikon, Essilor, Oakley, Ray-Ban and Maui Jim.

Step 3: Add your prescription

This information needs to be obtained from your optician. If you do not have your pupillary distance (PD) measurements at hand, do not worry this can be measured in the comfort of your own home. Simple click ‘measure my PD’ at the last step.

If you need any advice about your prescriptions or which lens is right for you, contact our in-house optician via telephone, email or chat.