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AC Lens Review

Sunday, September 15th

2024 Reading Glasses Store Reviews

AC Lens Review 2.5 Star Rating

AC Lens

2.5 Star Rating
  • 16 options for reading glasses
  • Prices from $4.47 to $35
  • Works with some insurance companies
  • 1-year returns with free shipping
  • "A+” rating from the BBB

AC Lens brands itself as one of the leading full-service eyewear supply companies online, thanks to the visionary idea of its founder, Dr. Peter Clarkson. In 1995, Dr. Clarkson recognized the untapped potential of the internet as a platform for selling contact lenses, even though some were skeptical. A favorite online for contact lenses, AC Lens offers a range of reading glasses too. As one of the oldest retailers on our list, AC Lens offers some great industry knowledge and competitive pricing.

Not a lot to choose from

While this site is a favorite for people who buy contact lenses online, it may not be a top contender for reading glasses. AC Lens only has 16 total options for readers. None of the styles are super exciting either. However, if you're just looking to pick up a quick pair, the at-a-glance shopping might be helpful for you. But, if you're a fan of fun styles or name-brands, you're not going to get them from AC Lens. There are also some filters to help you narrow down the products if needed or organize the products by price - though those are probably not necessary given you only have a little over a dozen options here anyway.

Budget-friendly but low stock

To do our price comparison of AC Lens against other companies in this review, we checked out the reading glasses that were on clearance as well as the ones that were full price. At AC Lens there were 8 readers that were on sale at the time of this review (which makes up 50% of the total inventory). The prices for the on-sale reading glasses ranged from $4.47 to $7.50 which is competitive in terms of clearance options across rival retailers on our list. The full-price pairs of reading glasses ranged from $14.95 to $35. These are definitely competitively low prices, making AC Lens a good budget-friendly retailer overall.

Works with some insurance companies

AC Lens collaborates with various vision insurance plans as an out-of-network provider, including Davis Vision, EyeMed, Spectra/United Healthcare, VSP, and many others. If you have one of these insurance plans, you may be eligible for reimbursement when you make a purchase at AC Lens. The reimbursement process typically involves filling out an out-of-network reimbursement form and including the itemized receipt, which AC Lens provides with every purchase.

Best Reading Glasses

1-year returns no questions asked

AC Lens offers hassle-free returns with no additional charges. If you're located in the United States, you have the flexibility to return items for free within 365 days from the shipping date. Making a return is simple: just get in touch with the Customer Service Team and provide them with your name, order number, reason for return, and whether you prefer a refund or exchange. They will promptly email you a link to print the shipping label, or alternatively, they can mail it to you if that's more convenient. Each label comes with a unique Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number, which is essential for the return process. The best part? You're not responsible for any costs for return shipping.

Mixed reviews across the board

When we checked out AC Lens, we found the company has an impressive "A+” rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau. Further, AC Lens also has a 4-star rating on the BBB. On other third-party review sites with verified reviews, there isn't as much buzz with under 20 total reviews available when we checked AC Lens. This was a little surprising given how old the company is. Those scores were decidedly average with 3 stars being the most common rating overall. The feedback is split with some customers noting that they couldn't complete their purchases and didn't receive merchandise while others praise AC Lens for their next-day shipping and customer service. Considering how long the company has been open, we expected a lot more buzz on AC Lens, so it might be better to try somewhere else before you check this retailer.

Not bad, but there's better out there

While AC Lens has some impressive features like its 1-year return window (and customers don't pay for return shipping) as well as highly competitive prices, the other features of the company just don't stand out from the pack. They have very few pairs of glasses in stock and absolutely no name-brand items. Further, they do offer insurance, but only through select providers. And with mixed reviews and a 3-star average from customers, we tend to feel that there are better options out there with low-cost reading glasses. Check out the higher-ranking retailers of reading glasses on our list first.

Where Can You Find the Best Store for Reading Glasses?

Are you looking to refresh your glasses with a new and exciting look? Getting reading glasses is a must-have for those without 20/20 vision, but that shouldn't mean you can't love your new accessory. Whether you're looking at your first pair of glasses, or you've gone through a few pairs and need something more exciting, it can be hard to pick the best option for your needs.

According to current research, there are 197.6 million adults who need vision correction. Reading glasses are essential for individuals who have difficulty seeing clearly up close. As people age, the flexibility of the lens in the eye diminishes, resulting in a condition called presbyopia. This age-related condition leads to a gradual loss of near vision, making it harder to read books, newspapers, or even digital screens.

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Reading Glasses Store FAQ

Reading glasses improve vision for seeing things at close range. Activities like looking at a computer screen, sewing, reading a book, or drawing can strain the eyes if there is an issue with your sight. Reading glasses give your eyes a little boost to see things more clearly so you can continue doing important tasks and hobbies that require you to see up close.
Despite their specific name, reading glasses can be used for a variety of activities. Many people require the use of reading glasses to sew, text on their phone, use a computer, paint, draw, cook dinner, read a map, or even watch a movie. Anything that involves seeing at close range may require the use of reading glasses.
It's not uncommon for anyone in their 40s and beyond to start experiencing blurry vision or headaches when they are viewing things up close. If you have to read a book at arm's length or take a break from your phone because the text is blurry, this is a good indication that reading glasses would help you.
It is always a good idea to visit your eye doctor since they often look for more than just vision problems at your check-up. They can identify muscle issues, cataracts, dryness, and glaucoma that may not currently affect your eyesight. However, seeing an eye doctor before buying reading glasses is not absolutely necessary. Reading glasses can be purchased over-the-counter, meaning anyone can buy them online without a prescription.
Depending on the retailer, brand, and lens type, reading glasses usually range anywhere from $10 to $400. It is not hard to find high-quality reading glasses for $100 or less though. Usually if you're spending a lot of money, it's because you are getting a name-brand pair of reading glasses and going all out with customizations. Reading glasses are usually quite affordable and don't need to be something that hurts your wallet.
Start by deciding what color, shape, and style you want. Do you want glasses with a pattern? Or a solid color? You'll also want to consider what power to buy for your reading glasses. Anywhere from a +1.25 to a +2.5 should be adequate for computer work or reading books. There are resources online to help you decide what power to buy to get the most out of your reading glasses.
Over-the-counter reading glasses offer the same prescription in each lens, even though most people have one eye that is stronger than the other. Reading glasses usually always come at a low power and are meant to be worn occasionally when doing tasks that require you to see up close. They are not meant to correct vision, but rather give a boost to your eye muscles to help them see at close range when needed. Prescription eyeglasses are meant to correct vision issues and are usually worn all day long. They typically require a visit to the ophthalmologist to find out what prescription you should use.
It is a common misconception that wearing reading glasses will weaken your eyesight. Some people worry that by "handicapping” their eyes and wearing reading glasses, their muscles will relax to the point that their vision gets worse. However, this is not something to be concerned about. Your eyes are still working hard to do their job, but reading glasses just make things clearer and sharper to make up for what your natural eye cannot do.
Compare the Best Reviews

Continued from above...

Reading glasses provide the necessary magnification to help individuals with presbyopia read comfortably. In terms of cost, reading glasses typically range in price, with many consumers reporting spending between $100 and $150 for frames. However, it's important to note that the expense can vary depending on factors such as frame material, brand, and additional features like prescription sunglasses.

Getting the right reading glasses is important for your health and personal style. With different shapes, colors, sizes, lens types, and more, there are almost an unlimited number of frames to fit your face. There are even some that are provided by premium brands, so you can look for your favorite fashion designers for your eyes. However, it can be hard to decide which one to get, much less where to get them. Fortunately, that large variety of options means there's a perfect pair of glasses out there for everyone.

So, how do you find the best reading glasses store for your needs? There are a lot of things to consider. If you're not sure where to start your reader journey, here are a few things to help you sift through the options:

  • Price: Are you looking for designer readers? Or maybe just a replacement for your favorite pair? Are you okay with dupes for fashion brands, or do you need to have the real thing? Keeping your budget in mind can help you find a place that caters to your wallet as well as your fashion sense.
  • Function: Do you just need standard readers Or maybe bifocals? Do you just want a pair of snazzy reading sunglasses for catching up on your favorite book by the pool? Knowing what kind of readers you need can help you decide where to shop. Some places have bifocals and sun glasses, while others only have standard clear readers.
  • Return Policy: You're buying reading glasses online without trying them on. It can feel a little scary. So, checking out the return policy and warranties offered by different companies can help you with your peace of mind.
  • Popularity: Do you want to order from a company with a top-notch reputation? Or are you more worried about inventory and price than customer feedback? Keeping an eye on customer comments can help you guide your decision if you're stuck between two standout options.

To help you find the right reading glasses store for your needs, Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated and ranked the most popular retailers on the market. We hope this will help you find your perfect pair of reading glasses and get back to enjoying your relaxation time with a good book or your trusty Kindle!

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