I still love my "new" job. I've worked for a small-town optical shop as an optician for just over 2 years. For those who don't know what an optician is, basically I: help people pick new glasses, make recommendations based on their prescriptions for what would work well for them, educate customers on different technologies available for their glasses, verify that the lenses are right when we receive them from our labs, cut the lenses to fit frames, put new lenses into frames, make sure that the lenses are in the frames correctly, let the customers know their new glasses are ready, adjust their new glasses to fit, and in the cases of customers using their own frames and getting new lenses, take all the necessary measurements if they cannot leave their frame with us, putting their new lenses into their frame when we have them ready.
Whew.
Sounds like a lot? Yup, opticians do a lot more than just fit your glasses.
Like anything else, the retail optical business has changed. More and more eye doctors are deciding to own their own optical shops, and more places are popping up online to purchase inexpensive pairs. Neither of these really value a well-trained optician. Now, before I worked as an optician, I too purchased a pair of cheap glasses online. However, knowing what I know now, I would not make that same decision. And then just the other day, I came across this article that makes me realize just how strongly the internet has waged war on the optician.
I'm going to go over point-by-point from that article ("7 reasons why you should buy your glasses online") explaining why my job as an optician is just as important as a good deal on a new pair of glasses.
1. You'll save up to 70% on prescription glasses
True. You can buy glasses online and get an exceptionally good deal, price wise. But can you really be sure you are getting your correct prescription?
In the two and a half short years I've been working in the optical business, I cannot even count the times someone has come in with a copy of their prescription from their doctor and a pair of glasses they bought online, complaining that they just aren't seeing well with their new glasses. We take the script from the doctor, and take a PD (pupilary distance, or the distance between your pupils) and we check everything. And what do we find? That either the prescription in the new lenses are wrong, or the PD is wrong, or both. And either one being incorrect can cause a lot of discomfort to your eyes. Not fun.
2. You can expect the same top-quality
This is a bold-faced lie. Out and out. Sure, some companies purchase really great quality frames and sell them just a fraction cheaper than your friendly, hometown optical shop. But that's where the help ends. Online stores can't help fit your glasses, and quality control is lacking.
And then they claim to offer high quality bifocals, trifocals, and progressives. I know for a fact that is not true. Of the most notable brands, most people are familiar with Varilux, or Essilor, products when it comes to progressive lenses (Varilux progressive lenses, Crizal Anti-glare treatment). Essilor, the company that manufactures those products, does not sell to any box stores (ex. Sam's Club, Wal Mart, Costco, Lens Crafters, just to name a few) or to online companies. So, I'm not sure what kind of "high quality" lenses these companies are selling, but I wouldn't trust them as far as I could throw them. My eyesight is one of my most treasured possessions, something I wouldn't risk for anything. And why should I? Why should you?
3. Online retailers don't work off commission
Neither do I. And actually, where I live I don't know of a single optical shop that does. So, making a sale does nothing for me personally. But I do really enjoy helping you pick a pair of glasses that you are going to love. And bonus, we'll fit your glasses to be comfortable, time and time again, even if we didn't make them for you, and it's always free of charge.
4. Bigger online selection
Also true. Online companies have higher inventory than your neighborhood optical. That's because there are a lot of frames out there, and they all cost money to have on the shelves. Online stores get better discounts buying in bulk, where your optical shop doesn't have that option (because again; cost!). We can't carry every frame in every color. But we are more than willing to try to find exactly what you are looking for, in the color you are looking for, by searching our online catalogs, checking with our sales reps, and ordering frames in for you to try.
5. You can try them on
Another lie. A virtual "try on" is not the same thing as actually feeling how that frame fits on your face. Particularly plastic frames, which are really in high demand right now. No amount of adjusting will keep those glasses up where you want them if they don't fit well on your nose to begin with. Myself, I've decided to stick with metal frames with nose pads because I have a very hard time finding frames that sit where I need them to. I hate constantly pushing my glasses up, and nose pads keep my glasses snug up on my nose. Then there is also the fact that a photo of you, with a photo of a frame you like, is just not reliable. Does the word "proportions" ring a bell? It should. Something that looks proportionate in a digital assumption could very easily be really disproportionate when you actually have it on your face.
6. You'll have reliable customer service
Again. Really? Part of the eyeglass customer service world is having your glasses adjusted to you; no online retailer can do that. Sure, they can trouble shoot your order, but really, what else can they do for your actual glasses? Any customer service number you call will not be able to fix your glasses; they are call centers. No offense, but there is so much more to customer service with glasses than just being able to talk to a customer service representative. Repairs? Bring 'em in! We'll see what we can do to fix them! Adjustments? That's just our jam.
7. Shopping for glasses online is safe, secure, and fast
Generally, buying online is relatively secure and safe. Fast? Eh, that's debatable. Where I work, we keep basic prescription lenses in stock, so if you want a regular plastic lens with a scratch resistant coating and don't have a crazy-strong prescription, we can usually have your glasses ready while you wait, which can take about 20 minutes. And when they are done, we'll adjust them to you so they are just so darn comfortable! Top that, internet store!
(And while we are talking about lens materials, pretty much anything available is a variation of plastic. Don't let anyone suggest otherwise. There are different thicknesses and what they call "indexes" which make your lenses lighter and thinner. And despite the scratch resistance, by all means, DO NOT let anyone ever talk you into glass lenses--your nose and ears will hate you because they are so freakin' heavy. Plus, they can shatter if your glasses ever get dropped or hit or anything like that [because, well....glass breaks, after all], so there's that.
Also, polycarbonate is another NO-NO for lens materials. As far as optics are concerned, glass is always the best to look through [although heaviest] and polycarbonate is always the worst to look through, especially if you have a stronger prescription [but lots of places like to sell it anyways because it is a smidge cheaper to manufacture]. If you need a very impact-resistant lens, ask for trivex; cost-wise it's usually pretty similar in cost to polycarbonate but is so much better for your eyes. Bonus, it also helps make your lenses lighter and thinner.)
I know it may seem tempting to save a couple (or more) bucks by ordering glasses online, but you can't be sure that you are getting what you need. Your local optical shop will have the expertise to make sure you get the right prescription, and help your glasses to be comfortable. I don't know a single online eye glass shop that can do that for you.
I am a local optician working for a small optical shop that has been open for over 75 years. My job is to help you pick the perfect pair and fit them to you. And I love every moment of it.
Shop local; support small businesses.
