Glasses123.co.uk Guide to buying glasses online

- Why are prescription glasses so expensive?

- Understanding my prescription and how to get it

- Is it safe to buy glasses online?

- How will I know if the glasses will suit me or fit me?

- Lenses coatings

Why are prescription glasses typically so expensive?

Firstly can we just say that the majority of High street opticians do not want to rip you off , they have a lot of overheads to account for when accounting for what they charge you for a pair of spectacles. They must take into account that they have to pay for expensive high street stores with high rental charges and business rates, medical equipment, display equipment stock and staff. They must then pass all these costs onto the cost of your glasses. High street opticians provide a essential service to the public and to us also as a business without them providing a eye test you would not be able to buy glasses from us and we would not exist.

Once you have has your eye test you will normally then be passed onto another member of staff (most of the time this member of staff is not a qualified optician) they are normally trained sales staff to ensure they sell you a pair of glasses.

By law, an optician must- following your eye test provides you with a written prescription. Regardless of whether you plan to buy glasses from them or not. You may feel pressurised or guilty for not buying glasses from them, but it is your decision where you buy your glasses

Your prescription

To buy glasses online, you’ll need a copy of your prescription- which must be under 2 years old.

When you are given your prescription, we recommend asking for your pupillary distance (PD). Most opticians don’t include this measurement on your prescription to prevent you from buying online, but don’t panic- simply ask them for it! Easy peasy.

‘The majority of our glasses use our average PD measurement, explained in our FAQ section on glasses123.co.uk’

Is buying glasses online safe?

Both online retailers and many of the biggest high street chains use the same laboratories to have glasses made; the quality is likely to be the same high standard wherever you buy them from.


We offer a secure online payment system which is available 24 hours a day, many people now use the internet to buy there groceries and car insurance, now they save money by buying there glasses online too.

Will my glasses suit me when I buy online?

There are a number of ways to make sure your glasses will fit before ordering them from a website.


- The best option is to try them on at home with a free trial pair. A pair with empty lenses are posted to you to try on at your leisure. This allows you to see exactly what the frame looks like on and the chance to ask your friends and family whether they think you suit them. If you are happy with them send them back to have your personal prescription lenses put in.

‘Remember Glasses123.co.uk will refund or exchange any glasses with 28 days, what have you got to lose?’

Will my glasses fit me if I buy online?

This is a complicated question, simply because most glasses can be adjusted and made to fit.

There are two ways to make certain that a pair of glasses will fit:

1.)    Check the measurements of an old pair of glasses you find comfortable. Frame sizes are usually in the format “50-20-140”. In this example this means the lens diameter is 50mm the bridge (nose) is 20mm and the arm length is 140mm. These measurements are usually found on the inside arm or the back of the bridge. We show measurements for every pair that we offer so you can compare them to a close match.

2.)    Try the glasses on at home with a home trial before deciding to buy.

There is so much choice- how do I pick the right pair for me?

Is very important that you are happy with your glasses as they are one of the most personal items you can buy simply because you wear them on your face. These guidelines may help you (but remember if you don’t like your glasses when they arrive simply send them back for a refund)

-         Oval faces have the most flexibility in glasses styles but we suggest choosing a pair that are as wide as the broadest part of your face.

-         Square faces complimented by glasses that are slightly curved or wider than they are deep. The top of the frames should sit high enough on the face to downplay the jaw line.

-         Oblong faces- are longer than they are wide with a long straight cheek line and sometimes longish nose. They look good with deeper glasses perhaps with decorative arms and a low    bridge to shorten the nose.

-         Round faces- suit glasses with straight or angular lines. Deep colours such as black or tortoise also minimise fullness.

-         Triangular faces- are defined by a broad forehead and narrow mouth and chin. Glasses with a thin rim and vertical lines will help balance the bottom part of the face. They should not sit too high on the face. Avoid large glasses, heavy  nose bridges, bold colours and square shapes.

-         Large Noses- can be balanced by oversized glasses- smaller designs will accentuate the nose.

-         Long Noses- suit glasses with high sidebars that draw attention upward toward the temples and away from the nose. A double bridge helps a nose appear shorter.

-         Small Noses- benefit from a high bridge in a colour which lengthens the nose.

-         The size of your glasses- should be in scale with your face size.

-         Colouring- works well when it compliments your best feature (e.g. brown frames to match brown eyes).

Lenses and coatings

When you go to an optician on the high street it is usually the lenses that bulk up the cost of glasses, especially on thin lenses. Lucky for you that if you order your glasses from glasses123.co.uk we can pass the savings onto you. We have saved some customers over a hundred and fifty pound each time.

Why Thin Lenses?

As your prescription increases the lenses need to be thicker. If you use standard optical plastic, then they can become unattractive and the weight of them can become uncomfortable.

Not sure which coatings you need? Here’s a guide

Scratch- resistant coating

This costing protects your lenses against everyday wear and tear. It there enables you to have clearer vision for longer and it extends the life of your lens.

Anti-reflective coating

This lens coating helps protect against glare and surface reflections (e.g. car headlights whilst driving and using a computer screen). The coating also eliminates front lens service reflective- this therefore improves appearance as it makes your eyes more visible.

UV protection

Ultraviolet light from the sun can cause damage toy your eyes. You cannot see UV light from long term exposure.

UV radiation can cause many eye disorders e.g. cataracts and macular degeneration. A  UV coating minimises the risk that UV-A and UV-B rays pose