A seamless, successful and frankly, fun experience
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I thought prescription glasses had to be at least $500, especially because I have amblyopia (fancy word for lazy eye). I also thought I was limited to the glasses-buying experience offered by my optometrist. This is not the case. Warby Parker , a vision company founded in NYC in 2010 with a mission to “inspire and impact the world with vision, purpose, and style,” offers a seamless online shopping experience. Two thumbs up. Thumbs that I can now see clearly.
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You could wear your fingerprint out scrolling through all the frames that Warby Parker offers. So, I started with their quiz . The quiz prompts you to select your face width and preferred frame shape, colour and material. And then the glasses fairies display your recommended frames.
I had previously discussed ordering glasses from Warby Parker with friends, and I wanted to ensure I would be able to report back to them an accurate and detailed experience. I went through all 185 frames (available for women at the time) and picked my favourites. Then I did the quiz that was available (and free) on their website . All of my favourite frames happened to be included in my quiz results.
One thing I need to consider when selecting frames is my lens thickness. My left eye has a sweet prescription, a cute – 3.0. My right eye’s prescription is monstrous; inches of glass. So I tend to go for a thicker acetate frame that can handle a hefty lens.
Warby Parker offers a 1.67 high-index frame that is recommended for lenses with a prescription power of +/- 4.0 or higher, or ultra-thin 1.74 high-index lenses for those with a prescription of +/-8.00 or higher. High-index lenses have a higher “index” of refraction, meaning they are better at bending light rays and therefore can have thinner edges. You can select the 1.67 lenses for an extra $50 or the 1.74 lenses for an extra $100. There are many frames that start at $150, so even with the extra fee, the cost is manageable when compared to my previous glasses.
I also added blue-light-filtering lenses, which cost an extra $50 (so my complete pair cost $250, shipping is free). All of their lenses are scratch-resistant, anti-reflective and block 100 per cent of UV rays. The blue-light filtering lenses block more of the blue light that digital screens and the sun emits.
Then came the most fun part of all; selecting the frames over social media.
I downloaded the Warby Parker app to “try on” different frames. The app does a great job of capturing what you’ll look like in the frames (minus the thickness of the lenses, but that wouldn’t be possible at an eye doctor’s office either). I took screenshots of my top six frames and uploaded them to Instagram Stories. I used Instagram’s quiz feature to poll followers who wished to participate in The Great Frame Decision — not a necessary step, but an enjoyable one nonetheless.
I had been to an eye doctor within the past few months, so my prescription was up-to-date. However, I didn’t have my “pupillary distance,” which is required to order glasses. Warby Parker’s app measured it in seconds ( their website has the same function ). Two weeks later, my Butlers (the winning frames) arrived.
The frames fit my face perfectly, but you can always take them into a Warby Parker (or any glasses store) to get them adjusted.
When you buy a pair of glasses with Warby Parker, they distribute a pair to someone who doesn’t have access to needed eyewear. From the beginning, Warby Parker has worked with partners to ensure they’re empowering communities to access glasses in a way that supports their needs. Warby Parker provides glasses to those who need them in over 50 countries.
Highlights: Warby Parkers also offers free returns, a hassle-free, one-year no-scratch guarantee, high-quality frames and lenses for an affordable price and provides glasses to those who don’t have access to proper eye care.
I had a great experience ordering my amblyopic specs from Warby Parker and would recommend them to just about anyone who needs or wants glasses (or sunglasses).
Editor’s note: Originally published in March 2021, we’ve updated this article to include more information on Warby Parker’s high-index lenses.
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