If you are trying to buy eyeglasses, the many options can seem endless. With many retailers, it can be difficult to decide which websites to trust when reading
EyeBuyDirect is one of the retailers that jumped into the direct-to-consumer business model in the early 2000s. EyeBuyDirect’s claim to fame is that it is easy to order from and generally affordable. EyeBuyDirect also offers a great selection of eyeglass frames.
Is EyeBuyDirect worth it for you? This article will let you in on things you should know before clicking “buy.”
What Is EyeBuyDirect?
EyeBuyDirect is a direct-to-consumer online retailer. EyeBuyDirect sells prescription and nonprescription eyeglasses, blue-light glasses, and sunglasses. EyeBuyDirect is headquartered in Austin, Texas, and has been around since 2005.
EyeBuyDirect offers a range of luxury and budget eyeglass frame brands. Ordering from EyeBuyDirect can be a convenient way to get new glasses. There are a couple of tips and tricks to know before placing your first order.
Pros and Cons of EyeBuyDirect
Pros of EyeBuyDirect
- There are tons of options to choose from, including name brands like Theory, Oakley, and Ray-Ban.
- EyeBuyDirect accepts spending account (FSA) and health savings account (HSA) debit cards, or you can submit a receipt to your insurance for reimbursement.
- EyeBuyDirect offers returns within 14 days of getting your order.
- Manufacturing defects are covered by the EyeBuyDirect warranty for a year post-purchase. In these instances, you will be given a store credit.
- The Buy 1 Give 1 program donates one pair of glasses to a person in need for every pair purchased on the EyeBuyDirect website.
Cons of EyeBuyDirect
- While the frames are very affordable, lens options have the potential to raise the price point.
- If you return your eyeglasses because of manufacturing defects, you get a gift card in your email, and it is not tied to your account.
- EyeBuyDirect is not affiliated with any insurance companies, so you cannot use a traditional vision insurance policy or voucher to get eyeglasses.
- EyeBuyDirect does not offer an at-home try-on, only a virtual try-on option.
What Eyeglasses Can I Get From EyeBuyDirect?
EyeBuyDirect offers prescription and fashion eyeglasses.
EyeBuyDirect Frames
EyeBuyDirect sells a variety of budget eyeglasses. Many of these eyeglasses mimic the look of upscale designer frames.
EyeBuyDirect also sells known brands such as Oakley and Ray-Ban. These brands are called premium selections. Premium brands cost more than EyeBuyDirect’s budget frames, but the frames are often still cheaper than they might be at a brick-and-mortar retailer.
Browse EyeBuyDirect’s tips for finding frames for your face shape.
EyeBuyDirect Lenses
In addition to frames, EyeBuyDirect offers an array of lens options. Lenses and coatings available include:
- Blue-light-blocking
- Anti-glare
- Polarized
- Bifocal
- Progressive
- Reading
EyeBuyDirect does not currently sell contact lenses.
How Much Do Eyeglasses From EyeBuyDirect Cost?
It is a bit hard to know what you might end up paying when you purchase eyeglasses through EyeBuyDirect.
The frames themselves are typically more affordable. There are plenty of frame options for $50 or less.
Once you add in your lenses, the price starts to go up. Vision distance prescription lenses (for glasses for people with myopia) with clear standard lenses will typically cost about $7. If you want anti-reflective or anti-scratch coating on your lenses, the price increases. You can choose from four types of prescription lenses, each at a different price point.
EyeBuyDirect’s highest-quality lenses, called premium lenses, include an anti-glare coating, ultraviolet protection, as well as dust and smudge protection. These lenses add $80 to the cost of the frames that you select, although some of the premium frames on EyeBuyDirect include these lenses in their pricing.
The same logic applies when you buy sunglasses from EyeBuyDirect. While the frames start at a low price point, different lens options can add to the cost.
Shop EyeBuyDirect.
What You Need Before Ordering
If you are shopping for prescription eyeglasses or sunglasses, you will need to know your prescription.
It helps to know what you want from eyeglass lenses. If you wake up and see glasses on the bedroom floor, anti-scratch coating could be a must-have.
If you spend hours at a computer, blue-light-blocking lenses or anti-glare coating might be useful. Knowing your needs will stop you from buying items you do not need, much like following essential health and wellness tips for everyday routine care.
Does EyeBuyDirect Take Insurance?
No. If you have insurance, check your FSA, HSA, or vision plan.
EyeBuyDirect does not partner with any vision insurance companies. EyeBuyDirect offers a form that lets you request reimbursement from your insurance provider. That reimbursement is not guaranteed, so EyeBuyDirect buyers should confirm what their policy covers before ordering.
EyeBuyDirect accepts HSA and FSA debit cards for payment.
How to Order From EyeBuyDirect
When shopping for glasses on EyeBuyDirect, you first limit your choices to the frames you like from EyeBuyDirect’s catalogue.
Use Filters to Choose Your Frames
Use filters on the shopping page to pick frames you like.
Just as you shop for clothes online, EyeBuyDirect provides filters to sort frames by color, shape, and size. EyeBuyDirect also gives guidance on picking frames that suit your style and face shape.
Enter Your Prescription Details
After choosing frames, the next step is to pick lenses. You must type your prescription data into EyeBuyDirect’s website form, checking carefully for mistakes. This self-entry method saves you from uploading files, but buyers must ensure the data is correct.
If a prescription is needed, EyeBuyDirect provides a search tool to find eye doctors partnered with EyeBuyDirect in your region so you can book an eye exam.
Select the Lenses and Coatings You Want
At this stage, add-ons such as anti-scratch coating or smudge protection can be added to lenses.
Choose Shipping Options and Add Items to Your Cart
Then pick your shipping method and any extra accessories, such as a leather glasses case or a defogging cloth, when checking out.
How Long Do EyeBuyDirect Glasses Take to Ship?
After an order is placed, EyeBuyDirect says that standard shipping usually takes seven to fourteen business days. Sometimes frames arrive earlier. EyeBuyDirect ships orders over $119 at no shipping cost.
EyeBuyDirect is occasionally facing delays because its supply chain deals with storms and related logistics issues.
However, once an order ships, EyeBuyDirect employs a service called Route to let you track the package in real time.
EyeBuyDirect Return Policy
EyeBuyDirect’s return and refund policies are clear and simple.
If you receive glasses and do not like them, you have two weeks from delivery to return them.
How to Start a Return
To begin a return, log in to your account. Choose the item you’re unhappy with. If the return falls within the window from receipt, you can select either a refund or a replacement pair of glasses.
If glasses break or are defective, EyeBuyDirect offers store credit within one year of purchase. Contact EyeBuyDirect at 1-855-EYEBUY1 (1-855-393-2891) for warranty questions or get in touch via contact support.
EyeBuyDirect Doesn’t Repair Eyeglasses
An optician or eyewear retailer can reshape frames in person or replace lenses. EyeBuyDirect does not provide those services.
Shopping Tip
When buying eyeglasses online, always examine the return policy and warranty closely. A reputable retailer will clearly explain how returns operate.
EyeBuyDirect Customer Service
EyeBuyDirect holds a 4.4-star rating on Trustpilot, based on more than 18,000 reviews. Buyers generally feel happy with their purchase and believe the quality matches other eyewear sellers.
Customer service with EyeBuyDirect can be inconsistent. Some buyers report difficulty contacting support or that email and phone answers were unsatisfactory. Others feel disappointed when discounts or offers do not work as expected.
The Better Business Bureau gave EyeBuyDirect an A+ rating, and customers who posted reviews on the BBB website give an average of 4.2 stars.
Alternatives to EyeBuyDirect
There are stores similar to EyeBuyDirect where you can shop and have eyewear delivered to your home:
| Retailer | Free Shipping | Insurance Accepted | Return Period |
| EyeBuyDirect | Orders over $119 | No | 14 days |
| GlassesUSA | Yes | Yes | 14 days |
| Liingo | Yes | Yes | 60 days |
| Warby Parker | Yes | Yes | 30 days |
| Zenni Optical | No | No | 30 days |
If you want a physical store visit and an eye exam, you might want to think about:
- Independent optometrists near you
- Costco Vision Center
- Walmart
- LensCrafters
FAQs
How Long Does It Take to Get Glasses From EyeBuyDirect?
After you place your order, it can take 7 to 14 days for your glasses to arrive. EyeBuyDirect says on its website that most orders are processed quickly, though some complicated orders might need the full 14 days.
Is EyeBuyDirect Quality?
EyeBuyDirect has a solid selection of frames. Some are from brands like Oakley and Ray-Ban, while most are from its in-house brands. The basic lenses are made from CR-39 and polycarbonate plastic, and bifocal lenses are made from Flat Top 28. Most people who write reviews are happy with the quality.
Is EyeBuyDirect Good for Prescriptions?
High prescriptions require high-index lenses, which keep the lenses thinner and lighter. EyeBuyDirect has many choices for people who need high prescriptions. Remember that you will need to provide accurate measurements like pupillary distance.
How Accurate Are Glasses Bought Online?
When you order glasses online, you still need a prescription from an eye doctor who has examined your eyes. In theory, this means the glasses you order online should be just as accurate as glasses from any physical place.
Of course, you will not be able to talk to an optical specialist in person, try on different frames in a store, or ask about lens coatings face-to-face. It depends on the kind of shopping experience you prefer.
Is EyeBuyDirect Worth It?
EyeBuyDirect lets you get eyewear delivered directly to your home without going to a doctor’s office to pick them out.
If you have never seen an optometrist or if it has been a while, you will need to get an eye exam to get your prescription details before ordering. Learn more about our publishing editorial guidelines for detailed buying guides.
EyeBuyDirect does not take regular vision insurance at checkout, which might mean you have to rely on out-of-network reimbursement. However, it is a great choice if you have an HSA or FSA and want stylish eyewear at a budget-friendly price.