The Truth About Online Glasses: Why Cheaper Isn’t Always Better
- Northern Sight Optometry
- Sep 9
- 3 min read
In today’s digital world, it’s tempting to order glasses online. The discounts are flashy, the frames look trendy, and with just a few clicks, a new pair is on its way to your door. But when it comes to something as important as your vision, the cheapest option isn’t always the best one.
Glasses aren’t just an accessory, they’re a custom medical device designed to match your unique eyes, prescription, and even the way a frame sits on your face. And that’s where online orders often fall short.
Let’s walk through why buying glasses in person gives you more value than a lower price tag ever could.
The Problem With “Do-It-Yourself” Measurements
When you’re fitted for glasses in our clinic, we take a series of precise measurements: things like pupillary distance, segment height, frame tilt, wrap, and vertex distance. Each of these details is important especially if you have a higher prescription or wear progressives.
Online, these measurements are often self-reported or estimated. And in most cases, only the pupillary distance measurement is necessary in online purchases while disregarding all other elements. Even being a few millimeters off can make a big difference, leading to eye strain, blurry vision, or headaches. Many people also struggle to adjust to online progressives because the lenses simply aren’t aligned properly for their eyes.
Lens Quality Makes a Difference
Another thing most people don’t realize is that not all lenses are created equal. Online glasses often use lower-grade materials and coatings that might look fine at first but scratch easily, smudge constantly, or even peel and crack over time. They may also offer limited UV or blue light protection, which leaves your eyes exposed.
The lenses we recommend in our clinic are made with premium materials and advanced coatings. They’re clearer, more durable, and designed to reduce glare, block harmful UV rays, and protect against digital eye strain. In other words, they’re made to last and to keep your vision as sharp and comfortable as possible.
As a bonus, our premium lenses are purchased through trusted optical labs who provide excellent customer service and warranty plans if anything happens to your prescription lenses. If your online glasses don’t feel comfortable, returning them can be a hassle. Warranties may be limited, and you’re often left to troubleshoot on your own.
The Fit Matters as Much as the Frame Design
A frame that looks great online may not feel so great once it’s sitting on your face. Loose arms, nose pads that dig in, lenses that don’t line up with your eyes... these are common issues we hear from patients who order online.
In our office, we take the time to adjust your frames so they fit comfortably and properly, not just on day one but throughout the lifetime of your glasses. That personalized touch can make all the difference in how your glasses feel and how clearly you see through them.
Your Eyes Deserve More Than “Good Enough”
Think about how often you rely on your glasses — while driving, working, reading, and connecting with the world around you. Getting them right matters.
Buying glasses online might save you money up front, but it often comes at the cost of clarity, comfort, and long-term satisfaction. When you choose to work with our opticians, you’re not just buying a pair of glasses, you’re investing in quality, precision, and personalized care that you can truly see and feel.
Ready for eyewear that fits both your face and your lifestyle? Visit us at Northern Sight Optometry in Kleinburg Vaughan. We’d love to help you find the perfect pair!