Broken hinge, lost pair, a dog that discovered your glasses: when you need glasses fast, every day without them is a long one. Here's how to get new prescription glasses as quickly as possible.
1. Get a copy of your prescription
After an eye exam, your eye doctor is required by federal law to give you a copy of your eyeglass prescription, at no extra charge. If you don't have it, call the office and ask them to email it. Many will send it the same day. Make sure it's an eyeglass prescription, not a contact lens one (here's why).
2. Know your PD
Your PD (pupillary distance) is sometimes on the prescription. If not, you can measure your PD at home with a mirror and a millimeter ruler in about two minutes.
3. Order on a weekday before 5 p.m. Eastern
Our lab takes orders for same-day production until 5 p.m. Eastern, Monday through Friday. Most single vision glasses are made in one business day. Orders after 5 p.m. or on a weekend start the next business day.
4. Upload a photo of your prescription
When you upload your prescription along with your typed numbers, we can check them right away. If the numbers don't match, we have to email you, and that can cost a day.
5. Choose an in-stock frame
Frame pages show when a style is backordered or on pre-order. For the fastest glasses, pick a frame without those labels. Match the size to the glasses you already have using the numbers on your frame.
6. Keep the lenses simple
Standard plastic (included) and polycarbonate (+$15) lenses are the quickest to make. High-index and Transitions lenses are great, but they can add time. Not sure which you need? See polycarbonate vs. high-index lenses.
7. Double-check your address and watch your email
A typo in your address can send your glasses on a detour. And if we email you a question about your prescription, a quick reply keeps your order moving. Watch for your tracking number when your glasses ship. They usually arrive 1 to 2 business days later.
Bonus: get a backup pair
At $79 with lenses, a backup pair is cheap insurance. Keep one at home, in the car or at work, and next time a pair breaks, you won't be squinting while you wait.
Need glasses fast? Shop frames from $79, made fast and shipped free to Michigan, Oregon, Montana and Delaware.
