We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.

Medical News Today only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.

Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:
  • Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
  • Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
  • Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?
We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.
Was this helpful?

Payne Glasses is an online eyewear retailer. They offer a variety of frames, lens options, sunglasses, and accessories.

Payne Glasses has accreditation from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and this and other third-party review sites show many positive comments about the company and few complaints.

Below, learn more about the company’s reputation and what it offers. We also describe how to choose eyewear online and some risks.

Payne Glasses says that its mission is to provide customers with the best value for their money. The company has its own factory and says that this removes the middleman and helps it offer low prices.

The company participates in People Helping People, a program that involves donating new and used glasses to individuals in need.

Reputation and reviews

The BBB gives Payne Glasses an A+ rating. Among the 215 customer reviews on the BBB’s site, the company has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5.0. Nine complaints have been logged in the last 3 years.

The company also has positive reviews on Trustpilot. Among the 257 reviews, the average rating is 4.8 stars out of 5.0, with seven less favorable comments.

Please note: The BBB and Trustpilot review statistics are correct at the time of publishing this article.

Payne says that it was the first North American company to offer blue light-blocking lenses with tints that transition according to indoor or outdoor light levels.

More generally, the company sells prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses for men, women, and children. It also has accessories, such as cases, lens cleaner, and nonslip ear grips, as well as a small selection of earrings.

Because the company cannot resell custom-made eyeglasses, it does not automatically offer a full refund. If a person is unhappy with their glasses, they can return them within 30 days for a 50% refund or a one-time 100% exchange.

However, if a person buys a risk-free warranty, they become eligible for a 100% refund.

Eyeglasses are an investment and critical for health, so it is important to buy from a company with a good reputation.

A person might research this on independent review websites, such as those of the BBB or Trustpilot. Take note of the company’s rating, the number of complaints, and the trend of reviews.

It may also be a good idea to shop with a company that has a clear and generous refund and return policy, in case the glasses do not fit or have an incorrect prescription.

Nearly 11 million people older than 12 years in the United States require vision correction.

Some online eyewear retailers offer a home vision test, but these may be less reliable than those conducted by an ophthalmologist or optometrist.

Never use an online vision test when ordering contact lenses because an improper fit can cause various complications, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) warns.

According to the AAO, the only people who can safely rely on online vision tests are healthy adults between the ages of 18–39 who have no symptoms of eye disease and need only a mild to moderate glasses prescription.

To support vision health generally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend:

  • getting regular eye exams
  • wearing sunglasses that block most or all of the sun’s UV rays
  • having a healthy diet with plenty of green, leafy vegetables
  • quitting smoking, if applicable

May eyewear retailers besides Payne Glasses online. A few options include:

  • Warby Parker: This company does not have BBB accreditation, but the agency gives it an A+ rating. A person can try on up to five frames at a time at home.
  • Zenni Optical: This company has accreditation and an A+ rating from the BBB. A person can upload an image of their face and “try on” frames virtually.
  • EyeBuyDirect: This company also has accreditation and an A+ rating from the BBB. A person can try on frames virtually in the same way.

In-store companies

Ordering eyewear online can be less expensive and more convenient, but a person may prefer to visit a store in person.

An older investigation into the quality of glasses from online merchants found that almost half either did not meet physical safety requirements or the individual’s vision needs.

If a person wants to shop for glasses in person, they might consider:

  • Costco Optical
  • Target Optical
  • Pearle Vision

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, many stores have restricted access. Call the store ahead of time before making the trip.

Learn more about the COVID-19 pandemic here.

Readers from drugstores

Drugstores sell over-the-counter reading glasses, also known as readers, which do not require a prescription.

While these can be less expensive than prescription lenses, a 2014 study found that some readers have displaced optical centers and other defects that can, for example, cause double vision or worsen heterophoria, an issue in which the eyes point in different directions at rest.

According to third-party review sites, Payne Glasses has mostly positive ratings from customers. The company highlights that it owns a factory, which helps it keep costs down.

Research indicates that glasses from some online retailers do not meet customers’ vision requirements. Anyone who needs significant vision correction may prefer to purchase their eyewear in person at an optician’s.