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Eyeglasses
Getting new glasses, step by step.
From your eye exam to the day you pick them up, here is what happens when you order eyeglasses and what to ask along the way.
Great glasses start with an eye exam.
Your eye doctor measures your prescription, then an optician helps you choose frames and lenses and takes the measurements the lab needs. The lab shapes your lenses and fits them to your frame, and the optician adjusts the finished pair to your face.
What goes into a pair of glasses.
Your prescription
The lens power your eyes need at each distance.
The frame
Style, size and material that fit your face.
The lens design
Single vision, progressive or a special-use lens.
The lens material
Thin, light or extra tough, based on your needs.
Coatings
Anti-reflective, scratch-resistant and more.
The fitting
Measurements and adjustments for comfort.
Your rights
Your prescription is yours.
Under the FTC Eyeglass Rule, your eye doctor gives you a copy of your glasses prescription right after the exam, whether or not you ask, and you may be asked to sign that you received it.
Lenses must pass a safety test.
In the United States, eyeglass and sunglass lenses must meet a federal impact-resistance requirement before they reach you.
Questions to ask when ordering.
Which lens fits me?
Share how you spend your day.
What is included?
Ask what the quote covers, coatings included.
Can I get a second pair?
Sunglasses or computer glasses are common picks.
Pick what fits your day.
It starts with the exam.
Your prescription comes from a careful eye exam. After the lab makes your lenses, the optician checks them against your order and adjusts the frame to your face.
Keep your glasses in great shape.
Simple care products help your new glasses stay clear and comfortable.
Keep exploring.
Fast answers.
How long does it take to get new glasses?
It depends on the lenses. Simple single vision lenses can sometimes be finished in the office, while progressives and special coatings are usually made at an outside lab.
Do I get a copy of my prescription?
Yes. Federal rules require your eye doctor to give you your glasses prescription right after your exam.
What if my new glasses feel off?
Go back to the optician. Measurements, frame adjustments or the lens design may need a small change.
Can I use my vision plan?
Many vision plans help pay for frames and lenses. Ask the practice what your plan covers.
Find an eye doctor for your next glasses.
Book an eye exam and get help choosing frames and lenses at a practice near you.
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Sources and notes
- Federal Trade Commission: Final Eyeglass Rule
- US FDA: 21 CFR 801.410, impact-resistant lenses
- Laramy-K Optical: Lens surfacing and finishing
- Showroom and exam-room photography are owned Eye Care Advisors assets approved for use by Vision Rescue. Product photos are Vision Rescue catalog images.
- Brand names are trademarks of their owners and are listed for education only, not as endorsements.
This page is for general education and is not medical advice. Only an eye care professional who has examined you can recommend what is right for your eyes.
