Buying glasses online
What we can and can’t do
At Glasses Direct, we understand that buying glasses online can be intimidating. From finding the right frames to understanding your prescription, we’re with you every step of the way to help with any concerns. This page explains exactly what we can do, and what we can’t, so you know exactly where you stand when buying your first pair of frames.
We can:
✅ We can help if this is your first time buying glasses online — our buying guides have everything you need to get started, from understanding frame sizes and price ranges to choosing styles that suit your face shape and knowing how your prescription affects your frame choice.
✅ We can let you try most frames at home to see how they fit before making a decision. With our Home Trial service, you can try on four frames from home completely free of charge. For more details, visit our Home Trial page. Alternatively, our Best Fit Machine uses your current frame measurements to recommend new styles that fit just as well as your existing pair.
✅ If you feel the need to return your frames, you can do so for any reason. For more information on our no-quibble, 120-day returns service, please view our returns information page.
✅ Our in-house qualified opticians can put your mind at ease when buying online. Not only do they get in touch if there is a problem with your order, but they sign off every order before it is passed to our lab team for manufacturing. View our behind the scenes page for a peek at what our opticians get up to.
✅ We don’t just offer clear lenses. Our range of tints and Transitions® lenses provide clarity when the sun is shining.
✅ If your prescription requires both near and far lenses, then we’re happy to help. Our range of varifocals and bifocals provide clarity at near, far and intermediate distances. To find out more, and find out about our varifocal offers, please visit our varifocal page.
✅ We include specialist requirements such as lenses with a prism in our service.
We strive to make your experience as simple and rewarding as possible. Although we are continuously improving our service, there are limitations in what we can offer.
Due to limitations, we currently cannot:
❌ Provide an eye test ourselves. In the UK it is currently not legal to issue prescriptions based on vision checks conducted online. We can however recommend a number of high street opticians that might be suitable for you. Once you’ve had your eye test, ask for your prescription and visit our prescription guide for information on how to understand it.
❌ Offer all prescriptions. Some high strength prescriptions we might struggle to fulfil. This includes when the combined SPH and CYL is greater than +/-9.75 and when the CYL is over +/-4.00. It also includes when there is more than a 5.00D difference between each eye, or when the prism is over 4.00 in any direction. To understand your prescription please view our guide.
❌ Offer children’s glasses. It is currently illegal to sell prescription glasses online for children under the age of 16 in the UK.
❌ Deliver outside of the UK or to the Channel Islands. For further information on our delivery options, please visit our delivery page.
Ready to buy your first frames? Check out our large collection of frames and start browsing now or get more help if you’re still struggling to choose!
