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That feeling when you slip on a new pair of glasses is simply magical. Your vision clears up, your face gets a fresh look, and suddenly you’re walking with an extra bounce in your step. New eyewear can boost your confidence and help you see the world more clearly.
But here’s the question that pops up for many glasses wearers: Do you really need to visit a physical store to buy your next pair? Can you get the same quality shopping online? How do you choose between convenience and a hands-on experience? What’s actually best for your eyes and your wallet?
We’ll look at both options to help you make the right choice for your next eyewear purchase.
Walking Into a Store: The Personal Touch Experience
When you walk into an optical shop like 20/20 Eyeglass Superstore, you’re stepping into a world where you can touch, feel, and try on dozens of frames before making your decision. The personal shopping experience gives you immediate feedback on how glasses look on your face.
Store associates can offer suggestions based on your face shape, style preferences, and even the specific needs of your prescription. They’ll point out features you might miss when browsing online catalogs. Having someone guide you through frame selection can save you from choosing glasses that don’t complement your features or lifestyle.
The optician can take precise measurements for your progressive lens fitting, which requires accuracy to properly align with your eyes. These measurements include pupillary distance, optical center height, and how the frames rest on your face — details that can make a huge difference in your vision comfort.
You’ll also get your frames adjusted right on the spot, so they fit perfectly from day one. No waiting for shipping or dealing with frames that pinch your nose or slide down your face.
Clicking “Buy Now”: The Online Shopping Advantage
Online eyewear shopping has exploded in popularity for good reasons. The convenience of browsing hundreds of styles from your couch while wearing pajamas is pretty hard to beat. Many people appreciate being able to shop at 3 AM if that’s when the mood strikes.
The price difference can be significant too, as there are low-cost options you can choose from. Digital tools have come a long way in helping you “try on” glasses virtually. Using your webcam or uploaded photos, you can see a reasonable simulation of how frames might look on your face. While not perfect, these tools give you a decent idea of what works with your face shape.
Some online retailers even offer home try-on programs where they’ll mail you several frames to test out for a few days before making your final choice. This bridges the gap between online convenience and the hands-on store experience.
Getting Your Prescription Right
Your glasses are only as good as the prescription they’re built on. In-store eye examinations provide comprehensive health screenings that online vision tests simply can’t match.
During an in-person eye exam, you’ll be screened for conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, and signs of other health issues that might show up in your eyes first. These screenings can catch problems early, sometimes before you notice any symptoms.
Online vision tests might help you update an existing prescription, but they can’t detect eye diseases or conditions that require treatment. They also might miss subtle vision issues that a trained professional would notice during a face-to-face examination.
If you have farsightedness, astigmatism, or need bifocals, the precision of an in-person examination becomes even more valuable. Complex prescriptions need extra attention to detail that automated tests might miss.
Frame Fit and Material Quality
One major advantage of shopping in-store is the ability to assess material quality firsthand. You can feel the difference between flimsy plastic frames and sturdy, high-quality materials. You’ll notice if the hinges seem loose or if the frame feels too heavy on your face.
Online descriptions can be misleading, and it’s hard to judge true quality from photos alone. Colors may look different on your screen than in real life, and subtle details in shape or texture might not come through in images.
In-store shopping lets you try frames while wearing your current glasses, so you can directly compare how they look. You can also test how comfortable they feel during different activities, like looking down to read or turning your head quickly.
Many frames need small adjustments to fit perfectly. In-store opticians adjust frames to your unique face shape right away. These small tweaks make a big difference in comfort, especially if you wear your glasses all day long.
Protection Beyond Vision
Your glasses protect your eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays and digital eye strain. When shopping in-store, optical professionals can explain different lens technologies and coatings based on your specific needs.
Special blue light filtering lenses might help reduce eye fatigue if you spend hours on computers. For outdoor enthusiasts, polarized sunglasses cut glare and improve vision clarity. Photochromic lenses that darken in sunlight offer convenience for those who frequently move between indoor and outdoor settings.
In physical stores, you can see demonstrations of these features and ask questions about how they’ll perform in real-world situations. You might not realize you need certain lens options until they’re explained to you in person.
Online retailers typically offer these same features, but you’ll need to research options yourself or rely on their information pages. Not a problem if you’re willing to put in the time, but there’s something to be said about the convenience of doing things in person.
Got Questions? We’re Here to Help!
Still weighing your options? Our team at 20/20 Eyeglass Superstore can help answer all your eyewear questions!
We also have a wide selection of frames you can purchase, including popular brands like Coach, Prada, and Ray-Ban! Our friendly staff can help you find the perfect frame for your face shape, lifestyle, and personal style.
You can schedule an appointment to visit us and get a firsthand view of our selection. With our locations in Melbourne, Winter Park, and Orange City, FL, you can’t miss us!
