There are three things in life I’ll NEVER do.
1) Seek out the tallest and fastest roller coaster – and then ride it. (Gravol please/afraid of heights/Leviathan who?)
2) Cheat on my husband. (I actually have zero interest in having sole custody of my boys.)
3) Purchase glasses off the Internet. (Explanation ensues…)
I happen to LOVE my eyes. I honestly don’t think there’s another pair of peepers that have been so well taken care of. Between wearing glasses since the age of 12, having a strong family history of glaucoma, being diagnosed with pinguecula in both eyes on the temporal side, and experiencing migraines with aura that affect my vision… you can say that I have a vested interest in keeping my sight for as long as possible.
(I mean, who wants to tamper with their eye health? That would be like biting the hand that feeds. Or poking the eye that sees. #badjoke #yougetmydrift)
And so due to my grab bag of eye issues and hereditary time bombs, I’ve had to see an ophthalmologist twice a year, every year… for the past 15 years. In fact, I recently conquered a hurdle of sorts; at my last appointment, my eye doctor was so pleased with my test results and examination, that he actually said I didn’t need to come back for – gasp – one year.
However, having to wear glasses for so long, I’ve developed a healthy respect for the entire process – visiting an optometrist to check on your eye health/sight, and if you’re unlucky enough to need glasses, filling your prescription at a Licensed Optician.
Rant: Did you know that people buy their glasses over the Internet? HOW is this possible?
1. Licensed Opticians do more than just stick lenses in your frames.
Buying prescription eyewear is not like shopping for books or clothes. In Canada, Licensed Opticians are regulated and guaranteed to be highly trained, follow a standard of care, ethical and accountable. Only registered contact lens fitters are legally permitted to fit contact lenses and automated refracting opticians are legally permitted to assess visual acuity.
2. Glasses and contact lenses are a medical device… not an “online deal” to be had.
Prescription eyewear is not “one size fits all”. Opticians are trained to take proper anatomical measurements, make appropriate initial and ongoing adjustments to eyewear, and to perform thorough pre- and post-assessment of contact lenses to ensure vision health and safety, comfort, peak performance and clear accurate vision.
3. Ill-fitting glasses can be detrimental to your eye health.
Improperly fitted eyeglasses and contact lenses can cause headaches, dizziness, and nausea. These side effects can also prove dangerous if you are in a situation such as driving, carrying glass or hot beverages, handling machinery and so on. I can’t stress this enough: eyeglasses and contact lenses need to be fitted to each individual patient based on measurements of the eye and face. This cannot be done over the Internet.
(Source: Opticians Council of Canada)
Okay, it’s pretty obvious that I’m pro-Licensed Opticians. Having seen them for the last two decades, I know that they take the health of my eyes seriously – much more than a BOGO deal to be found online, filled by a no-name dude working out of a no-name warehouse, who honestly has little or no accountability to you at all. #scary
And so I’m happy to help spread the word about their latest campaign:
Visitors at Yorkdale Shopping Centre were treated to the Licensed Optician’s interactive display on August 24th, and learned about vision health in a fun way. They received tips from Licensed Opticians, had a chance to star in a short film, and even walked away with a care package – including a $100 coupon off glasses at a participating optician (score!).
Missed the event? Pop online and choose your own prize pack with the Love Your Eyes online contest.
Personally, I’m liking the “Life’s Too Short Not to Have Fun” bundle –
Simply vote for your favourite prize pack, enter your deets and you’ll have the chance to win the whole kit and kaboodle! The contest ends on September 30th, so you have lots of time to vote for your fave and spread the word to your visually-challenged friends (over 60% of Canadians – eek!).
Click here to visit the Love Your Eyes online contest.
This post is sponsored by the Opticians Council of Canada. I Love My Eyes and encourage everyone to regularly stay on top of their eye health.
I buy my contacts online. They are more than half the price then what my optomitrist charges and are the exact same ones she has told me to use. I go to see her every year, and she evaluates the lenses.
So I have to say never say never.
I think you’ve taken the right steps by visiting your optometrist to evaluate the lenses – most people wouldn’t be as diligent. Good for you!
I can see your point. (No pun intended.) And it is a huge deal. But…
I have purchased glasses online, the first time they were great, the other time didn’t go so well.
$500 or $60 is a big difference.
In this case it really is all about the money.
My DH is trying to persuade me to get laser surgery. I’m a little scared of the whole thing though. I told him that when we have the money saved for it I’ll go for an appraisal. That way I can wait to decide. *chicken*
You’re right, it IS a big difference. And in the case of contact lenses, where all the necessary measurements are included on the product, I really don’t have too much of a concern. But in the case of glasses, I’m still quite adamant that there are certain measurements (distance between your eyes, distance from eyes to glasses) that really need to customized so that you can see properly. Yup, it’s much more expensive… but I’ve experienced headaches from wearing glasses that weren’t properly fitted (the optician goofed, so even they can make mistakes) and that’s why it’s so important to me to have the perfect fit :)
I’m too chicken for laser surgery too! Actually made the appointment and cancelled 48 hours prior to my surgery… just couldn’t do it :(
My sister had laser and she loved it. She also walked around with bloodshot eyes for about two months.
I buy my contacts online – after my optometrist gave me the go ahead to do so, so long as i bought the exact same ones he would’ve sold me from his store.
I also buy my glasses online – correction – frames only. I get them locally fitted with the actual lenses. I save quite a bit on the cost of the frames and still keeping my eyes healthy :). Win-win for me!
I like that you save on the frames but have the lenses professionally fitted. Definitely a win-win!
You’re right Lena. I value my eyes as well (no offense to the other parts of the anatomy). Even with the latest advancements in laser eye surgery I don’t think I’ll ever have that done.
Glad that you only have to go to the ophthalmologist once a year now!
P.S.: Coincidentally I did purchase a new pair of glasses earlier today. Was tempted to buy online at first but given what you said and for other reasons (good Groupon deal!) decided to buy at the store.
So happy that you grabbed a new pair of glasses – can’t wait to see you!
Love the statement about not cheating on your husband because you don’t want sole custody. Made me LOL
Hahaha well it’s totally true – definitely don’t want to be raising these two mischief makers on my own!
I have an opticians degree, but am not currently licensed since I am not in the industry at the moment, and I shop online for some of my families glasses. That said there are some prescriptions that I have opted to fork out the higher $ for. High astigmatism and bifocal glasses for my kids we only buy at the opticians.
As for buying contacts online as long as you get the initial pair properly fitted and checked and then keep up with your annual visits ordering replacement pairs online is fine. All the required measurements are on the box.
I think that as with anything going with a company that has a good reputation online or in a mall is key. There are quality control systems in place in both cases to ensure you get what you ordered. I know many opticians don’t like where online shopping is going, but times change. I remember when we (as an industry) were worried about Lenscrafters.
“That said there are some prescriptions that I have opted to fork out the higher $ for. High astigmatism and bifocal glasses for my kids we only buy at the opticians.”
I think that’s generally what I’m driving at. If you have a pretty straightforward prescription and want to save some money, go ahead and take a chance online. But for people who have more complicated prescriptions – and “complicated” can include non-eye factors like a wider bridge on your nose – you really need an optician’s expertise.
And… totally cool that you have an optician’s degree!
Hi Lena,
I really enjoyed your article. I am a licensed optician, contact lens fitter and just completed the refracting course. I also have my own store and have invested in the newest equipment and an extensive inventory.
Our store focuses – no pun intended – on providing great service and a wide variety of products for our patients. I really do believe that people will invest in proper eye care by eye professionals if they value the service and you provide your products at a reasonable price.
We avail of every bit of training and the best products to bring it to our patients and it has been my life passion to do so.
I’ve spent hours finding the right frame or lens for people and I know that can’t be duplicated on the internet. Just like I go to my Doctor and not to the internet when I have a medical concern.
Professional optical services are a service and a value to the patient and will always be viable to those that value that service.
Thanks for your rant….and for listening to mine!
Lorelei, thanks so much for weighing in with your own experience. I can’t tell you the number I’ve times I’ve visited my optical to pick out a pair of glasses, only to have the optician critique the way they sit on my nose, frame my eyes, etc… so yes, sometimes it takes hours finding the right frame for a number of reasons, and I really believe you need someone there to guide you along.
I am totally with you on this one Lena, I buy my glasses at the optometrists office, both for myself and now for my son. I have astigmatism and have had glasses since I was in elementary. My son has had to get new lenses every six-7months so far and had frames replaced once under warranty at no cost to us. First lense replacement was half costed too since it was only six months. They have been excellent to us and service is great!
My daughter has seen an opthamologist too and has yet to get in and see optometrist as I keep forgetting but we will stick with what we are doing, as have family history of vision issues as well. I know some coworkers and friends who buy online or at Costco or the places that just do vision checks and not “eye health exams” like an optometrist does. To each their own I guess but I love the peace of mind.
PS..I wouldn’t even consider making an appt for laser eye surgery..way too scary for me!
I think you nailed it, Tara. Eye health is MUCH more important than a simple vision test. We should not take it for granted!!
I like the idea of having your lenses evaluated by your optometrist, Molly. I wonder if I could do that with the glasses I bought online?
I’m sure you could Melanie! They’re there to help you.
Interesting post.