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EyeBuyDirect Review

Michael Graw

In a Nutshell

EyeBuyDirect was founded in 2005, with the goal of making it easier and cheaper to buy prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses online. There are thousands of frames to choose from and a variety of lens types, including progressive and bifocal lenses. The website allows you to try on glasses virtually, read through hundreds of verified reviews, and customize your frames and lenses as needed.

pros

  • Thousands of frames available
  • Virtual try-on from any device
  • 14-day money-back guarantee

cons

  • Does not accept vision insurance
  • Shipping charges for orders under $99

Eye Buy Direct Eye Buy Direct Visit Site

EyeBuyDirect at a Glance

Price range: Cheap to moderately expensive

Types of glasses: Reading glasses, progressive lenses, bifocal lenses, prescription sunglasses

Virtual try-on: Yes

Shipping: Free on orders over $99

Money-back guarantee: Yes, 14 days

Best For

EyeBuyDirect has made their name on affordability and accessibility. It’s a good choice for anybody looking for a large selection of quality frames and lenses that won’t break the bank. In fact, the most affordable frames start at just $6. In addition, EyeBuyDirect allows you to try on any set of glasses virtually (using your device’s forward-facing camera). This makes it especially great for rural shoppers and those with reduced mobility. 

Finally, EyeBuyDirect’s Vision for Everyone campaign has donated more than 600,000 glasses to children and families in need — good news for anybody looking to support a good cause while shopping online. 

  • Affordable pricing starting at $6
  • Prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses
  • Large selection of glasses (1600+ frames, including Oakley, Ray-Ban and Rflkt)
  • Progressive, bifocal, reading, and transition lenses
  • Socially conscious buyers

How Does it Work?

Finding the right pair of eyeglasses or sunglasses with EyeBuyDirect is easy. Simply choose a set of frames that looks good and then try them on virtually to see how they suit you. Once you find frames that fit your style, simply enter your prescription information and customize your lenses.

Let’s take a closer look at how the process works:

Step 1: Choose Your Frames

EyeBuyDirect offers over 1,600 different frames for men, women, and children. You can sort frames by price, size, shape, gender, material, color, and more to find the set that’s right for you. EyeBuyDirect also has an online quiz to help you narrow down your choice of frames, and most frames feature thousands of reviews (with pictures) from confirmed shoppers to help you decide. 

When you find a style you like, try them on virtually using your device’s webcam to see how the glasses will look on your face.

Step 2: Select Your Lenses

Choose from distance, progressive, bifocal or reading lenses, depending on your frame and prescription. EyeBuyDirect also gives you the option to purchase frames with non-prescription lenses or to turn any pair of eyeglasses into sunglasses with tinted lenses. At this point, you’ll need to enter your prescription information so that EyeBuyDirect can craft your lenses.

Step 3: Customize Your Lenses

Depending on which lenses you choose, EyeBuyDirect has a range of customization options available. For example, you can add a blue-light-blocking filter or opt for transition lenses that darken in the sun. EyeBuyDirect is upfront about how much these customizations cost, so there are no surprises at checkout.

Step 4: Checkout

Once you’re happy with your glasses and lenses, simply complete your order and pay. EyeBuyDirect offers free shipping on orders over $99. If you need your glasses right away, two-day shipping is available for $19. Finally, all EyeBuyDirect glasses come with a 14-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not happy, just send them back for a full refund. 

Pricing


Price Range
Frames
$6-$320
Standard lenses
$6.95-$79.90
Blue-light-blocking lenses
$19-$59
Transition lenses
$35.95-$119
Shipping

Free on orders over $99

$5.95 for all other orders

EyeBuyDirect offers frames starting at just $6, while brand-name frames including Ray-Ban, Oakley, and Rflkt go up to $320. At the time of writing, there were 120 frames available for under $20.

Standard clear lenses (including non-prescription lenses) cost an additional $6.95, regardless of your frame selection. So, the absolute cheapest pair of eyeglasses you can get from EyeBuyDirect costs just $12.95.

Thinner lenses with a UV-resistant coating are available for $18.95, and premium lenses with anti-smudge and water-resistant coatings are available for $79.90. Blue-light-filtering lenses start at $19, and transition lenses start at $35.95.

EyeBuyDirect offers free standard shipping on all orders over $99. For orders under this amount, the company charges $5.95 for standard USPS shipping. Two-day shipping is also available for $19 per order.

EyeBuyDirect does not accept vision insurance for payment, but you’ll receive a detailed invoice that you can submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement. The company also allows you to pay with a Health Savings Account (HSA).

Types of Glasses

EyeBuyDirect offers glasses to suit most prescriptions. You can fit your frames with standard distance lenses, reading lenses, and progressive or bifocal lenses, and add prescription lenses to most pairs of sunglasses. For a versatile set of eyeglasses that can be used under bright light, EyeBuyDirect allows you to turn any eyeglass frames into sunglasses by adding tinted or transition lenses.

If you need progressive or bifocal lenses, keep in mind that not all EyeBuyDirect frames will work. Bifocal lens frames must have a height of at least 28mm, and progressive lens frames must have a height of at least 30mm. Helpfully, EyeBuyDirect’s website allows you to filter frames by the lens types they are suited to.

Refunds and Returns

EyeBuyDirect allows you to return your glasses for a full refund within 14 days of receiving them. However, note that you are responsible for USPS return shipping costs.

Your glasses also come with a one-year guarantee against manufacturer defects. If you report a problem during this time, EyeBuyDirect will simply send you a replacement pair.

Customer Service

EyeBuyDirect offers customer support by phone and email from 9 AM to 12 AM (ET), Monday to Friday, and 9 AM to 6 PM Saturdays and Sundays.

The company also has a detailed FAQs page that answers common questions about frame and lens options, ordering, and returns.

Testimonials

‘EyeBuyDirect is the best at what it does. I’ve already purchased three pairs of eyeglasses from here. 10/10 my glasses fit perfectly. Will continue to purchase from here always!’ - Matthew J.

‘It's so user-friendly, and the customer service is incredible! I tell everyone who compliments my glasses (which happens a lot!) to use this site. Thank you!’ - Samantha J.

‘Great quality, quick shipping, amazing customer service! My favorite eyewear store!’ - Despina K.

Eye Buy Direct Eye Buy Direct Visit Site

Bottom Line

EyeBuyDirect offers an extremely wide range of prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses. The cheapest frames start at just $6, with designer frames available from brands like Oakley and Ray-Ban. EyeBuyDirect makes progressive and reading lenses in addition to standard distance lenses, so the company can cater to most eyeglass prescriptions. We found the process of ordering from EyeBuyDirect simple and straightforward. Plus, you have the ability to try on your frames virtually before ordering and the peace of mind that comes with EyeBuyDirect’s 14-day money-back guarantee. 

Michael Graw is a freelance writer specializing in finance, business, and tech who writes for Top10.com. His work has appeared in numerous well-known online and print publications, including Techradar, BestMoney, Business2Community, Day Trade Reviews, Pacific Standard, Fortune, Business Insider, and more.
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