Where's the best place to buy reading glasses? At some point in your 40s, you may notice that the restaurant menu looks blurrier than it used to, or that you're holding your phone farther and farther away just to read a text. If that sounds familiar, you're in good company. The culprit is usually presbyopia, a perfectly natural part of aging. As the lenses in your eyes lose flexibility, close-up tasks like reading product labels or even scrolling on your phone become more difficult. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, nearly everyone experiences some degree of presbyopia by their mid-40s, and the effects typically continue until around age 65.
Weak
If you're shopping for reading glasses, Eyeglasses might look like a contender at first glance. They've been around for quite a while, with both an online store and a physical shop in Connecticut. On paper, they even advertise customer-friendly policies: a 30-day return window, one free remake on prescription lenses under their "Perfect Lenses Guarantee," and no restocking fees. Unfortunately, the reality is far less reassuring - and that's why Eyeglasses earns a low rating from us. Read on to learn more.
Selection in the dozens, not hundreds
For starters, the selection at Eyeglasses is underwhelming. At the time of our review, we found fewer than 50 styles of reading glasses on offer here, priced from $38 to $230. Compare that to the thousands of options at specialty sites (like our #1 pick), and it's hard to see Eyeglasses as anything but bare-bones. Yes, there are frames for men and women and a handful of recognizable designer names like Vera Bradley, but the overall variety is minimal, leaving shoppers with slim pickings.
Not a smooth shopping platform, especially for newbies
We're also not huge fans of the online shopping experience at Eyeglasses. We're well into the new millennium: where's the virtual try-on tool or anything that would help a new-to-readers customer pick the right fit for her face? Here's the "help" that Eyeglasses offers: "measure the size of your current eyeglasses or order several pairs in different sizes". Not helpful, guys. It's also not immediately apparent that you can get both "cheaters" and prescription lenses here: you have to click on "add lens" and then walk through several "choose one" selections before finding out what you're actually going to pay.
Don't hold your breath on refunds, repairs, or exchanges
Even if you were willing to overlook the limited selection and iffy user-friendliness while choosing frames and adding lenses, customer experiences suggest that buying here is a gamble. While the official return policy allows you to send items back within 30 days for a refund (or in-store return if you happen to live near Westport, CT), shoppers frequently report that refunds are delayed or denied. Exchanges carry a $15 shipping and processing fee, which might not sound like much, but feels like nickel-and-diming compared to competitors that make exchanges free. As for repairs, Eyeglasses doesn't really offer them: if your prescription lenses come out wrong, they'll remake them once, but you're out of luck for scratches, broken frames, or anything else beyond manufacturing defects.
Free shipping is only a perk if your reading glasses actually arrive
Then there's the issue of shipping. The company advertises free standard shipping in the US (plus Canada and several other countries) and a quick turnaround, but many customers describe orders stuck in limbo - items listed as "in stock" never shipped, communication from customer service was minimal, and in some cases orders were canceled without clear explanation. That poor follow-through is one of the biggest pain points in reviews, with frustrated buyers citing long delays and money tied up in unfulfilled orders.
Low customer ratings are no surprise
These concerns aren't just anecdotal. Eyeglasses, under the corporate name Tryiton Eyewear, has earned an "F" rating from the Better Business Bureau thanks to those unresolved complaints. Trustpilot reviewers echo the same problems, giving the company a dismal average rating. It's telling that the company boasts about generous policies on its website, while real shoppers say those promises don't translate into practice.
Huge drop in our rankings
All in all, Eyeglasses comes across as a retailer with decent intentions in the past but a poor track record in reality now. The selection of reading glasses is sparse, and the shopping experience carries too many risks: unreliable shipping, inconsistent refunds, and virtually no repair options beyond a one-time lens remake (which may or may not fix the problem). With so many better, more dependable retailers of reading glasses out there, we recommend skipping this one and taking your business somewhere that truly delivers on both products and promises.
Continued from above...
At some point in your 40s, you may notice that the restaurant menu looks blurrier than it used to, or that you're holding your phone farther and farther away just to read a text. If that sounds familiar, you're in good company. The culprit is usually presbyopia, a perfectly natural part of aging. As the lenses in your eyes lose flexibility, close-up tasks like reading product labels or even scrolling on your phone become more difficult. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, nearly everyone experiences some degree of presbyopia by their mid-40s, and the effects typically continue until around age 65.
What makes presbyopia frustrating is that it happens even if you've always had great vision. You can still see clearly at a distance, but small print or detailed work suddenly causes eye strain or headaches. That's when many people buy their first pair of "readers." They're quick to slip on, easy to carry in a bag or pocket, and make everyday tasks more comfortable almost immediately. In fact, experts estimate that more than 120 million Americans currently use some form of reading glasses.
When it comes to buying readers, you'll often find basic options (often referred to as "cheaters") at the pharmacy checkout or in the vision aisle of a big-box store. While those can be handy, you may notice the selection is limited, the frames feel flimsy, or the available strengths don't quite match your needs. That's where shopping online can make a big difference. Not only will you find a much broader variety of strengths, styles, and frame materials, but you can also choose lenses with extras like anti-glare coatings or blue light filtering. And for anyone who needs different strengths in each eye- or wants to combine reading correction with distance vision - many online stores also offer prescription readers that you won't typically see on a pharmacy shelf.
Another major advantage of online shopping is quality. Just like with prescription glasses, readers can be made with higher-end materials that are more durable and comfortable than the generic frames you'll find in mass-merchandise locations. Online retailers often source directly from manufacturers, which means you can get better quality without necessarily paying more. Many also provide generous return policies, so you're not stuck with a pair that doesn't feel right. For busy adults who would rather avoid making an extra trip, having readers shipped right to your door is an added bonus.
So, now that you're convinced that buying reading glasses online is the way to go, how can you decide where to shop? Keep these criteria in mind:
Reading glasses are one of those purchases that quickly become part of everyday life. Once you notice the difference they make, it's natural to want pairs that fit comfortably, look good, and last. With so many retailers competing for your business online, it pays to know which ones offer the best combination of price, variety, and service. That's why Top Consumer Reviews has researched and ranked today's leading sources for reading glasses, so you can confidently choose the right place to shop for your next (or first) pair.
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