It often starts with a note from the school nurse or noticing your child squinting at the television. The next thing you know, you’re coordinating eye exams and frame shopping for your whole family, but getting prescription glasses can be tricky.
You’re balancing different vision needs, navigating various style preferences and considering durable, high-quality products while keeping an eye on the bottom line. We partnered with Eyemart Express to bring you this comprehensive prescription sunglasses guide for the whole family.
Considerations When Choosing Family Eyewear
Eyemart Express offers prescription glasses that can withstand your kid’s active lifestyle
Finding prescription glasses that perfectly suit the person wearing them means considering factors unique to them.
For the Kids
Eyewear for your kids doubles as safety equipment. They need prescription glasses that can withstand their active lifestyles, whether that involves playing outside or sports practice at school. To prevent eye injuries, many doctors recommend polycarbonate glasses, which are more impact-resistant than standard plastic lenses.
Their frames must also be able to withstand daily wear and tear. Look for ones made of flexible materials that can bend without snapping and durable spring hinges that can resist being frequently pulled on and off.
If the frames are constantly slipping down your child’s nose, they may start looking over the lenses, which defeats the purpose of the prescription. An in-person fitting with an eyewear expert can prevent this.
For Teens and Adults
For teenagers, glasses are both a medical necessity and a fashion accessory. Choose a retailer with a wide selection of on-trend styles and popular brands, and involve your teen in the selection process to ensure they’ll love their new pair.
The demands of an adult’s vision are varied. For example, those who spend long hours in front of a computer may benefit from blue-light filtering options. Progressive lenses may be a great choice for those who need correction for both near and distance vision in one pair of glasses.
Balancing Cost and Quality
Get the most value out of your money by understanding what affects the costs and what features are worth investing in.
Frames and Lenses
The final price combines these two crucial components. A good strategy is to find a stylish and affordable frame, then dedicate more of your budget toward higher-quality lenses that will enhance and preserve your vision.
Lens Coatings and Materials
Lens coatings improve the performance and lifespan of your glasses. For example, an anti-scratch coating protects the lenses from the daily drops, bumps and cleanings that are inevitable, especially with kids.
Another option is an anti-reflective coating, which reduces eye strain by minimizing reflection from overhead lights and computer screens. It also reduces the distracting glare from headlights when you’re driving at night.
True UV Protection
Consider turning your family’s prescription glasses into barriers against harmful UV radiation. Ask your retailer for glasses that offer 99%-100% protection against UVA and UVB. Taking this extra step can help safeguard your family from conditions like cataracts later in life.
How to Find the Best-Value Prescription Glasses for Your Family
Image source: Eyemart Express
Specialists on-site labs can finish glasses faster than the traditional process, which can take days
Here are some strategies to help you choose an eyewear provider that covers all your family’s needs.
Look for Retailers With a Massive Selection
Avoid driving to multiple stores to satisfy your teen’s brand preference, your partner’s need for a professional style and your child’s request for a specific color. Find retailers with a vast and curated eyewear selection. This is an organized collection where experts have already vetted the styles for quality and durability, so you’re sure to find great options at every price point.
This is where eyewear retailers like Eyemart Express truly shine. It has thoughtfully curated collections for every face shape, personal style and prescription from top brands like Ray-Ban and Michael Kors.
Prioritize Retailers With On-Site Labs
It’s Tuesday afternoon, and your child’s only pair of glasses breaks at school. Or, you’re packing for a vacation and realize your own glasses are nowhere to be found. The traditional seven- to 10-day waiting period for new glasses can turn these scenarios into a crisis.
The key is to look for retailers with in-store labs like Eyemart Express. This allows them to cut custom prescription lenses and fit them into frames on-site.
Find a One-Stop Shop for Style and Price
Comprehensive value combines a fair up-front price, a high-quality product, accessible expert support and strong protection after you walk out the door. For a family, a good warranty is a vital part of the value equation. A retailer that stands behind its product with a low-deductible or no-deductible warranty and an easy claims process is truly committed to its customers.
Retailers like Eyemart Express build this comprehensive value into every step, from eyewear plans to its post-purchase support solutions. For example, its ExpressCare+ plan offers a year of unlimited replacements for both lenses and frames with no deductibles. If you take care of your glasses and don’t use the 100% Value Guaranteed warranty when it’s nearing the end of its coverage period, you get a voucher for your next pair.
Simplifying Your Family’s Eyewear Plan
Clear vision affects everything from your kid’s ability to learn in the classroom to your own confidence when driving at night, so schedule eye exams to identify the priority for each family member.
Look for a one-stop solution that combines a larger selection with the convenience of on-site labs and expert staff. Prioritize strong warranties and transparent pricing over the initial sticker price. Outfitting your family with the right eyewear can be an efficient and rewarding experience with a solid game plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to common questions about prescription glasses.
Should You Prioritize Affordable Frames or Quality Lenses to Get the Best Value?
No. It’s better to find the right balance for your budget.
Frames and lenses are two parts of a whole. Stylish and durable frames are often available at affordable prices. This frees up more of your budget to invest in higher-quality, lightweight lenses with beneficial coatings like anti-glare and scratch resistance.
How Quickly Can You Get a Replacement Pair After Your Child Broke Their Glasses?
Traditionally, you might have to wait seven to 10 business days for a new pair, but many modern retailers have on-site labs that solve this problem. You can typically get a new pair of glasses for many common prescriptions on the same day in these locations. It’s a feature worth looking for when you’re choosing an eyewear provider for your family.
Can You Still Save Money with Your Vision Insurance at A Value-Focused Retailer?
Absolutely, and this is one of the best ways to maximize your savings because it stacks your benefits. Choose a retailer that offers great up-front value and transparent pricing, then apply your insurance benefits to the already-low price. Make sure you pick a shop that’s in your insurance network. Providers like Eyemart Express list the plans they accept on their website.
