GlassesUSA Review: What to Know in 2023

Share on Pinterest

GlassesUSA started trading in 2009. It is an online eyewear retailer catering to adults and children. It offers designer and in-house brands featuring a wide range of frames and styles.

The company claims to have over 7,000 frames in stock.

This article looks at GlassesUSA in detail, including its products, ordering process, and reputation with customers. It also compares the brand to its competitors and answers some frequently asked questions.

Below, we look at the pros and cons of the GlassesUSA brand.

On the GlassesUSA website, individuals can search for frames and sunglasses by categories that include:

• bifocal
• multifocal
• progressive lenses
• sports glasses
• safety glasses
• Transitions lenses
• designer brands

The children’s range includes options for toddlers ages 2–5, juniors ages 6–10, and pre-teens ages 11–14. There are prescription and nonprescription options for each range.

The table below details the products GlassesUSA sells.

A person can also narrow their selection using filters to show only the products suitable to their needs, such as frame shape, color, and price range.

In addition to its more affordable in-house styles, GlassesUSA stocks a variety of designer labels. The company is a certified reseller of all the designer brands it features.

Guarantees and warranties

GlassesUSA products include a 100% money-back guarantee within 14 days of ordering and a 365-day warranty. It also offers free standard shipping and returns and 24-hour customer service.

GlassesUSA has an average customer rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot. Of these reviews, 71% give the company 5 stars compared with 5% of users awarding it 1 star.

Positive reviews mention the wide choice of products and affordable prices, while negative reviews frequently cite delivery issues. The company has closed over 280 complaints in the last 12 months. These complaints typically concern delivery problems.

GlassesUSA has Better Business Bureau (BBB) accreditation and has an A rating. It has an average rating of 1.33 out of 5 stars. Negative reviews discussed receiving damaged glasses, nondelivery of orders, and poor customer service. Positive customer comments said they received quality products at a good price.

There are several steps to ordering glasses from GlassesUSA to ensure people order glasses that fit correctly and that they include the lenses and lens coatings they need. Ordering contacts is simpler, but still requires a prescription.

How to order glasses from GlassesUSA

To order glasses, a person can:

1. Review the wide selection of eyeglass frames available on the GlassesUSA website
2. Upload a picture of themselves or takes an instant photo with their webcam and use the website’s Virtual Mirror to see how the glasses would look — all without logging in or creating an account.
3. Upload their eyeglass prescription, enters the information manually, or downloads the website’s Prescription Scanner app to their smartphone, scan their current glasses, and obtain their prescription that way.
4. Measure and record their pupillary distance so their glasses fit properly.
5. Select any lens coatings they want, such as anti-scratch or ultraviolet (UV) protection.
6. Complete their order and track it during shipping, if desired.

How to order contacts from GlassesUSA

To order contact lenses, a person can:

1. Obtain their contacts prescription.
2. Review the website to find the contacts their doctor prescribed.
3. Upload their prescription, or fill out the form on the website.
4. Makes their selection.
5. Complete their order.

GlassesUSA offers four shipping options: standard, expedited, express, and international. The shipping cost and times are as follows:

• Standard shipping: This option is free in the U.S. and Canada and takes 7–10 business days.
• Expedited shipping: People can get their order in 5–7 days for $9.95.
• Express shipping: For $12.95, people can get their order in 3–5 business days.
• International: Shipping to countries outside of the U.S. and Canada takes up to 14 business days and costs $29.95.

GlassesUSA provides a full refund on a person’s first return. The company has a 14-day return policy for single-vision glasses and a 30-day return policy for multifocal glasses. The company only accepts returns of unopened boxes of contacts returned within a 60-day period.

GlassesUSA accepts payments through 13 health insurance providers, including:

• Aetna
• Anthem
• Cigna
• DavisVision
• Eyemed
• Humana
• Lincoln Financial Group
• MediGold
• NVA
• Solstice
• Spectera
• United HealthCare
• VSP

If GlassesUSA does not list a person’s insurance provider, a person can contact their provider to see if they can submit a reimbursement claim.

People can also use a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) to pay for their glasses or contacts.

GlassesUSA regularly offers clearance sales and other promotions. At the time of publication, GlassesUSA is offering:

• 25% off all contact lenses
• buy one get one free on eyeglasses
• 30% off eyeglasses and sunglasses
• 50% off lens upgrades
• 40% off designer brand frames

The table below compares GlassesUSA with its main competitors.

GlassesUSA is one of several large optical retailers. Other companies offering similar services include:

• Warby Parker: This brand allows individuals to try up to five different frames at home at no extra charge. Learn more about Warby Parker.
• EyeBuyDirect: This company claims to be one of the most affordable online retailers for glasses. Learn more about EyeBuyDirect.
• Felix Gray: This brand specializes in blue-light filter eyewear. Learn more about Felix Gray.
• Lensabl: This brand may be suitable for people working with a smaller budget, as it claims to sell frames at more affordable prices than retail stores. Learn more about Lensabl.

Below are important factors to consider when purchasing glasses.

Material

Many modern frames consist of plastic, which typically offers a greater range of colors than metal frames. Metal frames may be more lightweight.

Eco-friendly wooden frames are sometimes available as another lightweight alternative.

Frame and lens size

Frames come in varying sizes, and a person’s specific facial measurements will determine the fit they need. Glasses should fit comfortably and securely on the bridge of an individual’s nose. If the fit is incorrect, the glasses may pinch, slip, or fall.

A person’s prescription will determine the thickness of the lens they require. Usually, a higher prescription involves a thicker lens, but higher index materials — such as particular plastic lenses — can offset this.

People can help reduce or avoid headaches and eyestrain by ensuring their lenses have an up-to-date prescription.

Lens coating

Retailers will frequently offer the following optional protective coating services:

• Anti-reflective coating: Reduces glare, prevents eyestrain, and could benefit those using screens for long periods, as well as those who drive at night.
• UV coating: Protects eyes from the sun’s radiation.
• Anti-scratch coating: Protects glasses against scratches.

Purchasing eyewear online can help a person save time and money, but these savings also come with the potential for poor fit and incorrect prescriptions. However, research documenting the frequency of errors is limited.

A 2021 study found that 1 out of 10 prescription eyeglasses sold online did not meet national standards for optical quality. However, an older 2016 study found that the quality of lenses purchased online was similar to that of in-store. The same was true for prescription accuracy.

Accuracy may depend on who is taking a person’s measurements and the tools a person uses to take their own measurements and input their prescription. Online measurements and prescription scanners may be less accurate than professional measurements and manual prescription entry.

Errors during this stage could impact the suitability of the glasses a person gets.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 11 million people in the United States 12 years and over require corrective lenses to see clearly. Regular eye tests are therefore essential for most adults and children.

Recent research studying the importance of eyeglasses is limited. However, international researchers have found that providing workers with reading glasses leads to the largest health-based increase in productivity ever recorded. Participants also reported an enhanced ability to complete daily tasks and a better quality of life overall.

Eye exams

The National Eye Institute (NEI) reports that even though a person’s eyes feel fine, it does not necessarily indicate optimal eye health. The organization recommends seeing an optometrist for a dilated eye exam every 1–2 years.

An optometrist can then write or update a prescription for glasses or contact lenses as needed.

According to NEI recommendations, other ways to keep a person’s eyes healthy include:

• finding out if their family has a medical history of eye disease
• eating nutritious foods
• participating in regular physical activity
• avoiding smoking
• wearing appropriate eye protection when needed
• taking frequent breaks from digital screens

The NEI also notes that while eye exams and eye prescriptions can be expensive, there may be financial help available for eligible people.

Dilated eye exams

As many eye diseases have no symptoms or warning signs, optometrists can conduct a dilated eye exam, a detailed test that can detect some conditions early, such as:

• diabetic retinopathy
• age-related macular degeneration
• cataracts
• glaucoma
• tumors

Below, we answer frequently asked questions about GlassesUSA.

Are glasses from GlassesUSA legit?

Yes, GlassesUSA is a certified reseller of a wide range of glasses brands. Although some online reviewers reported problems with product quality, most users were satisfied with their purchases and some reported a good value for the price.

Why is GlassesUSA so cheap?

GlassesUSA states that “eliminating the middleman” helps the company keep its prices low. The company saves money by selling eye care products directly to consumers instead of working with distributors and resellers. GlassesUSA states that it can then pass these savings along to consumers.

Is GlassesUSA a real company?

GlassesUSA is a real company. It has been in business for over 10 years and holds Better Business Bureau accreditation.

How much does GlassesUSA cost?

Products from GlassesUSA cost from $0.50–$945 depending on the product. People may have to factor in prescription lenses and shipping costs into their purchase.